Benefits of Reading for a Healthier Mind + Dr. Karam’s Favorite Books

Here are my top five tips to make reading part of your everyday ritual.

Reach for a book when your inner space feels overloaded. Research shows that reading for as little as six minutes can lower stress by 68%, even more so than listening to music or taking a walk.

It’s something I do to relax and unwind at the end of a long day. It’s a simple intention that helps me ease both cognitive and physical tension.

Like most of us today, we spend a lot of time behind screens. That’s why reading can feel almost meditative, as it trains the brain to focus deeply again. Getting lost in a book naturally brings presence and intention back into your life.

Over time, I’ve noticed that reading not only improves my focus but also my ability to be more centered and aware throughout my day (which is pretty important during surgery).

I love how books have the power to shift your mindset. When you immerse yourself in stories, whether fiction, memoir, or history, you begin to see the world through new eyes. That emotional connection strengthens empathy, compassion, and self-understanding.

Reading offers a way to explore new ways of thinking, providing perspective, comfort, or inspiration - whatever it is you’re looking for.

When ending my night with a book instead of my phone, I find that I sleep better and feel more rested the next morning.

Reading before bed slows brain activity, reduces blue-light exposure, and triggers the body’s natural sleep signals. It’s become a favorite part of my daily routine — a way to unwind and close the day with a sense of quiet and calm.

Reading has benefits that go far beyond just relaxation, though. It’s one of the most powerful habits you can build for a resilient headspace.

Research shows lifelong readers tend to experience slower cognitive decline and greater psychological strength as they age.

Reading can have measurable effects on mental health by lowering stress, steadying the nervous system, and helping the body return to a calm, balanced state. Clinically, it’s been shown to promote self-awareness, ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even create emotional breakthroughs that go beyond what medication alone can achieve. Reading provides a quiet, reflective space that allows the mind to reset and the body to restore equilibrium.

Reading also strengthens emotional connection. Immersing yourself in someone else’s story activates areas of the brain tied to empathy and attunement, helping regulate mood and restore a sense of belonging.

Regular readers have sharper memory, greater perseverance, stronger cognitive function, and even longer lifespans.

To me, that’s the true power of reading and why I have made it a daily self-care practice: for improved mental health and longevity.

I’m often asked whether audiobooks “count” when it comes to reading, and the short answer is yes, they do. Both reading and listening to stories activate lots of the same brain regions linked to language, emotion, and empathy, which means they land deeply either way.

That said, each format stimulates the brain differently. 

When you read, your visual and memory systems engage: eyes track movement, cognitive network decodes symbols, and comprehension builds through focus and reflection. Audiobooks, on the other hand, activate auditory centers responsible for things like tone, rhythm, and voice.

If you’re reading to unwind or absorb something complex, physical pages tend to offer deeper understanding. But if your goal is storytelling, inspiration, or multitasking, audiobooks are a wonderful way to de-stress, while still staying connected to literature — no screen required.

For me, reading has become one of the most grounding parts of my day. it's an intentional way to slow down, quiet my thoughts, and reset after hours of constant stimulation.

I read before bed because I feel the effects it has on my health: lower stress, regulation of cortisol, improved sleep quality, and brings my body into a restorative rhythm far better than scrolling on screens ever can.

When you make reading a regular part of your routine, you’re doing more than simply relaxing, you’re strengthening focus, expanding knowledge, and supporting long-term mental health.

Just as the KaramMD Trifecta rejuvenates and restores the skin, reading keeps your mind youthful and resilient. Both are powerful reminders that small, consistent daily efforts can lead to powerful transformations over time.

Tonight, instead of reaching for your phone, pick up a book. Choose something you’re genuinely excited about and look forward to reading. Whether it's revisiting an old favorite with a fresh perspective, or a finally pulling down that new book from the shelf, there's no better time to get started.

Commit to reading just a couple of pages each night, aiming to finish it by the end of the year. Just like your skincare routine, try to stick with this habit daily, and see if you notice the impact it has on your health and well-being by the end of the year.

If you need some new book recommendations, here are a few of mine:

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey – A foundational book that shaped how I think about success, purpose, and personal growth.
  
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – A timeless guide to communication, empathy, and building meaningful relationships.
  
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – One of the first books to explore the power of mindset, belief, and visualization in creating the life you want. This concept later inspired The Secret, but Hill was the first to articulate how clear goals and belief in your vision can shape your future.
  

If you’d like to share what you’re reading right now, an old favorite, or the last book that truly inspired you, leave it in the comments below.

Let’s keep the conversation going and remind one another just how joyful, enriching, and life-expanding reading can be.