Study: Regular Bible Reading Reduces Stress, Anxiety, and Loneliness

The American Bible Society has published the results of a study showing that regular reading of the Holy Scriptures has a positive impact on mental health and overall lifestyle. People who read the Bible weekly experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness, and report feeling more hopeful and confident. This was reported by the Christian website Crosswalk.com.

The findings also show that regular Bible readers are more likely to exercise, spend time with friends, and engage in volunteer work. For instance, 71% of those who read the Bible regularly exercised during the past week, compared to 65% of non-readers.

“Bible reading actually reduces stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness more effectively than meditation, socializing with friends, or even physical exercise. Those who consistently return to God’s Word find confidence in difficult times, hope for the future, and a deep personal relationship with God, who knows them well and loves them deeply,” said John Farquhar Plake, Director of Ministry Innovation at the American Bible Society.

The survey was conducted in January 2025 among 2,656 U.S. adults as part of the annual State of the Bible project. The results confirm that spiritual practice can significantly improve life quality even in a secular society.

Earlier it was reported that more than half of Ukrainian citizens do not support interference in the internal affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This is confirmed by a June 2025 poll conducted by the SOCIS Center.