Chandigarh, August 5 — At a time when attention spans are shrinking and anxiety levels are rising, a growing number of educators and psychologists are advocating for a simple, age-old remedy — reading novels.
According to experts, spending time with fiction doesn’t just entertain; it actively nurtures the human mind by boosting emotional intelligence, reducing stress, and strengthening cognitive function.
“Reading novels is like taking your mind to the gym,” said Dr. Ruchi Malhotra, a clinical psychologist based in Delhi. “It enhances your imagination, builds empathy, and improves your ability to process complex emotions. Unlike passive screen scrolling, novels force the brain to engage deeply — and that’s incredibly therapeutic.”
Several studies support the idea that fiction enhances what psychologists call “theory of mind” — the ability to understand other people’s thoughts and feelings. “When you read about a character’s inner world, their joys and struggles, your brain mirrors that experience,” Dr. Malhotra explained. “It’s like mental rehearsal for real-life emotional interactions.”
Beyond empathy, novels offer a form of escape that is both gentle and restorative. “When I read a good book, I feel like I’ve left my noisy world behind and entered a quieter, more meaningful space,” said Ishita Saini, a 24-year-old postgraduate student. “It gives me perspective. Suddenly, my problems don’t feel so overwhelming.”
This sense of perspective is what makes fiction so powerful, says literature professor Arvind Joshi from Delhi University. “Novels teach us that pain is part of life, but so is beauty,” he said. “They slow us down in a world that is always rushing. When we read, we breathe differently, think differently. We remember we’re human.”
According to neuroscientist Dr. Meenakshi Rao, the benefits of reading go beyond the emotional. “It improves brain connectivity, vocabulary, and memory retention,” she said. “MRI scans show that people who read regularly have denser gray matter in regions associated with language and cognitive function.”
Parents and educators are also being urged to encourage novel reading among children, especially as screen use becomes increasingly dominant. “We’re seeing a decline in sustained attention among kids,” said Neha Gulati, a school principal in Gurugram. “Books are one of the few tools that still train a child to focus, imagine, and develop patience.”
The effects aren’t limited to classic literature, either. “It’s not about reading Tolstoy or nothing,” Dr. Rao emphasized. “Even contemporary fiction — romance, fantasy, historical drama — can offer the same cognitive and emotional benefits if it’s well-written and engaging.”
Amidst mounting pressures of modern life, reading novels may be one of the most accessible forms of mental self-care. “You don’t need a therapist or a retreat in the hills,” said Dr. Malhotra. “Sometimes, all you need is a quiet corner and a good book to begin healing.”
As more people return to the tactile joy of holding a novel, experts hope this quiet revolution will remind society that nurturing the mind doesn’t always require technology — just time, presence, and a story worth telling.
