Listening, Loving & Reading Aloud: What Grownups Gain Too

Reading out loud is often seen as something for children. But for adults, it holds something deeply special too — comfort, closeness, and a slowing down in a busy world. The author shares how this simple act has turned into a ritual that nurtures relationships and mental well-being. Here are some of the reasons why reading aloud still matters when you’re grown, and ways you might try it. Why reading aloud is powerful for adults • Shared moments: When someone reads to you, or you read to someone else, there is more than just story. It’s the person’s voice, the pauses, the quiet before sleep — those create closeness. • Emotional calm: It helps with anxiety, gives better sleep, lets worries fade, even if for a little while. • Deeper connection: There’s a vulnerability in reading aloud as an adult, admitting you might feel silly or self-conscious, but also the gift of being heard and seen just as you are. How it feels in everyday life • It’s intimate: stopping to talk about the story, laughing at odd lines, exchanging looks. These small moments make the reading more alive. • Ordinary magic: The couple in the story reads out loud regularly, not just on special days. It’s become part of their routine. • The power of voice: There is comfort in hearing someone else’s voice. It has rhythm, tone, even breathing. That voice anchors you, helps you switch off from other things for a while. What research says (though still growing) • Storytelling and reading aloud helps with empathy, emotion, and understanding personal narratives. These aren’t just for children. Adults also benefit cognitively, linguistically, emotionally. • Synchronized rhythms: When two people share reading, especially live, there is some evidence that their brain waves or emotional states align — you feel each other’s feelings more. • Correlation, not always causation: While many say they feel better, calmer, connected, scientists are still studying why exactly it works and in which situations. How to try reading aloud as an adult • Pick a familiar, comforting book: something you like or one you’ve wanted to revisit. • Read with someone you trust — a partner, friend, parent. You might trade roles or one of you always reads. • Choose quiet times: before bed, on a relaxed evening, or when you’re both winding down. • Don’t force perfection: stumbles over words, laughs, pauses — all part of the experience. • Let it become ritual: even short sessions are enough to let the benefits build over time.