On World Mental Health Day and throughout October, Guernsey Mind and the Guille-Allès Library are encouraging islanders to discover the positive impact reading can have on mental health and wellbeing.
Whether it’s reading a novel, listening to an audiobook, exploring a new topic, or revisiting an old favourite, taking time to read can help us slow down, relax, and take a break from the demands of everyday life.
To mark World Mental Health Day, we’re launching a new Guernsey Mind Collection at the Guille-Allès Library. The collection features books recommended by the Guernsey Mind team and has been chosen to help people relax, reflect, learn, and escape.
Look out for the special Guernsey Mind stickers throughout the Library.
Why reading matters
Looking after our mental health doesn’t always require big changes. Sometimes small habits can make a real difference.
As our lives become increasingly digital, many of us spend hours each day looking at screens, checking emails, scrolling through social media, and moving between devices. Making time to read can provide a welcome break and support both our mental and physical wellbeing.
Research suggests that reading can help:
- Reduce stress and help us relax
- Improve sleep and support healthier routines
- Provide a break from screens and digital distractions
- Increase empathy and understanding of others
- Help us feel more connected and less isolated
- Encourage learning, reflection, and personal growth
Reading and wellbeing: the facts
68%
Reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68%.
Source: Dr David Lewis, Mindlab International, University of Sussex (2009)
38%
More than a third of adults say reading is their preferred way to relax and unwind.
Source: University of Cambridge / The Queen’s Reading Room review (2025)
90%
In the recent Guernsey Reading Survey, 90% said reading has a positive effect on their sense of wellbeing.
Source: Guernsey Reading survey (2026) with more than 6,000 responses.
54%
Over half of British adults report using screens more than ever before, highlighting the importance of finding healthy ways to switch off.
Source: MHFA England article “The Benefits of Reading for Self-Care”
Discover the Guernsey Mind Collection
The new Guernsey Mind Collection brings together a range of books selected by our team. You’ll find titles covering wellbeing, personal development, inspiring life stories, fiction, mindfulness, and more.
Whether you’re looking to learn something new, find comfort in a story, or simply enjoy a few moments of quiet, there’s something for everyone.
The collection is available throughout October at the Guille-Allès Library.
Share your favourite reads
Books can inspire us, comfort us, teach us something new, or help us see the world through a different perspective.
We’re inviting islanders to share their own reading recommendations and tell us how reading helps them relax, switch off, learn, or feel more connected. Visit our social media pages to share your recommendations.
Make time for reading this October
Even a few minutes with a good book can make a difference.
Why not visit the Guille-Allès Library, explore the new Guernsey Mind Collection, and discover how reading can support your wellbeing?