Feeling burnt out? Audiobooks can help. Here’s why.

More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. While there’s a growing awareness around mental health, everyday pressures seem to be growing too. With financial stress, career uncertainty, relationship challenges, and health worries, it can often feel like too much coming at us.

But the good news is: there’s a lot you can do to practice self-care and promote your mental well-being, and it doesn’t have to cost you. For May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the theme is “More Good Days, Together.” It’s a good reminder that “having a good day” can be filled with small things that add up in the bigger picture: a few moments of free time, going outside, being with people you love, or getting lost in a good book. Adding audiobooks to your routine can be a great way to fit in some relaxing time without overloading you. 

Here are nine reasons why listening to audiobooks can support your mental health:

1. They interrupt anxious thought loops.

When you get caught in an anxiety spiral, it can feel impossible to turn off the flood of repetitive thoughts. Instead of trying to turn off the deluge, try turning on an audiobook to distract your mind and redirect your attention. Focusing on the present moment and the details of a story can help calm you.

2. They can support better sleep and winding down.

As nighttime approaches, the mind often starts to race. Having a calming bedtime ritual, like listening to an audiobook, can be a healthy way to wind down without staring at the harsh light of a screen. You can also set a sleep timer on audiobooks so they’ll only play for a short time while you’re drifting off.

3. They tap into our earliest experiences of comfort.

As a child, many of us have memories of being read to by parents, caregivers, teachers, or grandparents. These calm, safe moments can be recreated while listening to a story on audiobook. As social creatures, the human voice is naturally soothing to us—especially if it’s a slow, gentle read like a cozy mystery or a romance with an HEA (happily ever after).

4. Free audiobooks from the library can reduce financial stress.

Everything’s more expensive these days. From the rising price of a gallon of gas to ever-increasing streaming subscriptions, it feels like our money has grown wings. 💸 But you can still access high-quality audiobooks without the price tag through your local library. No subscription fees, no listening caps. All you need is your library card. Making small swaps like this can lead to bigger savings (and less stress) in the long run.

👉 Here’s a list of more stuff you can get for free from your library.

5. They nurture empathy and emotional insight. 

Stories widen our worldview. When we’re able to step into someone else’s shoes, we strengthen those empathy muscles and explore perspectives other than our own through the very real—or fictional—characters of a book. An audiobook narrator’s tone, pacing, and emotion can deepen this impact for the listener.

6. They make everyday tasks feel lighter.

Do the errands feel endless? Just as you scratch off a chore, it feels like there’s another to add to the bottom of the to-do list. This never-ending cycle can feel stressful, but there’s a way to add a little joy. Pressing play on your audiobook while you’re cleaning or doing yardwork suddenly seems much more enjoyable—you may not even want to stop! If you’re stuck in traffic, it’s suddenly not as terrible when you know you have 20 more minutes to listen to your book.

7. They fit into lives that feel too busy to read. 

We know reading is so good for our brains, but it’s tough to find time in a packed schedule. But we all need to cook dinner, fold laundry, walk the dog, so why not throw on an audiobook? The act of listening keeps our brains active and engaged and provides us a chance for learning and personal growth without a ton of pressure.

8. They give your eyes a break.

Many of us sit in front of computer screens all day for work. We’ve all heard “sitting is the new smoking,” but what is it doing to our eyes? Even if you don’t sit in front of a screen at work, you may be spending hours doomscrolling or staring at the phone. Listening can be a gentler, more restorative alternative to combat the digital fatigue and gives strained eyes a chance to rest. 

9. They offer connection during lonely moments.

In our hyperconnected world, many of us are lonelier than ever before. Living alone, working remotely, or feeling emotionally isolated can lead to feelings of loneliness. Audiobooks offer companionship by providing a sense of presence and fill the quiet space—especially if you’re involved in a book club where you can talk about what you read or listened to. It’s no substitute for real, in-person contact, but it may help ease the pain of isolation.

🧠 To learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month and explore additional resources, visit the official website. For free audiobooks from your library, download the Libby app, sign in with your library card, and start listening. Sometimes the smallest shifts, like pressing play, can be the start of a better day.

RELATED READ: 10 books to avoid burnout for Mental Health Awareness Month