The Life Changing Benefits of Listening to Audiobooks

The benefits of listening to audiobooks really are endless.

I don’t know about you, but I live in a busy world, in a busy city, with a busy job. And I love my life, really, but I have found that the older I get the more… highly strung I also get. In the busier seasons of my life, relaxing has become so difficult. Nearly impossible. Weeknights are the main culprit.

When I get home from work all I want is to do nothing. But the house needs cleaning, dinner needs making, lunch needs packing, the clothes wash needs doing, and suddenly it’s time for bed and I am a million miles from being relaxed.

The cycle is endless and honestly exhausting. These moments require alot of energy, feeding into me feeling anxious, restless and just downright moody. I know many of you can relate.

Fortunately I have found an evening cheat code. The best thing is it costs nearly nothing, or in some cases, nothing. Audiobooks.

Oh. My. God. There’s nothing more comforting than being read a story while you clean, and wash up, and cook, and organise. I’m not even kidding, sometimes I now do extra house work just to keep listening to my book. It really is such a great hack, it makes the monotonous no longer feel like a waste of time. Now, more often than not, housework, bus journeys and chores fly by.

The best part is, by the time I’m ready for bed I’m considerably more relaxed. My anxiety is considerably less and the time it takes me to fall asleep is massively reduced.

If you find yourself in this cycle, maybe listening to audiobooks is for you.

This post is all about the benefits of listening to audiobooks to help you relax through the busier seasons of your life.

Where can I Find audiobooks?

There are many places you can find audiobooks, from free to paid.

For Free, you can access audiobooks on YouTube. YouTube has many great audiobooks you can choose from and can be really handy as you can listen to it on a device of choice. As long as you have google, and access to the internet, you’re good to go.

Spotify now offers a range of really great audiobooks with your membership. I personally love how Spotify has integrated this onto their platform, they have made it super easy to find and use, and even recommend really great ones personalised to your taste.

Lastly, and my favourite, is audible. This one you can either pay for a membership where you receive monthly book credits, or you pay per book individually. This option works best for me because of how often I use it, and is the one I would personally recommend. The selection of audiobooks on this platform is pretty vast and you won’t be short of choice.

Are audiobooks better than reading?

That is a matter of opinion, and specific to someone’s motivations for reading. Audiobooks also improve accessibility, offering an alternative for those who experience reading fatigue or prefer listening-based learning.

For me I read different types of books than the ones I listen to. The types of audiobooks that really fascinate me are non fiction, whether it is self help, books about health, or learning about something new. This is my favourite was to experience audiobooks as I can absorb information while I am doing otherwise boring tasks. Learning this way helps focus my mind, and often I feel better off after each book. Learning something new is a great motivation for reading, and reading is an accessible, low pressure way to learn. So it really is a win win.

On the other hand, I prefer to read fiction and stories. This is because I experience reading time in a different capacity to audio book time. Audiobooks are best for multi tasking. Books are best for indulging peacefully on the sofa with a hot chocolate. I don’t make the rules.

Audiobooks make it possible to enjoy books while completing everyday tasks. Rather than feeling like lost time, chores and commutes can become moments of engagement and enjoyment. This can make daily routines feel more balanced and intentional.

Now, what are these life changing benefits of listening to audiobooks?

How audiobooks can help you learn

The obvious one is by engaging with audiobooks that specifically interest you, in a topic you want to learn more about. But did you know, listening to audiobooks is great for subconscious learning too, for example if you listened to half an hour of an audiobook every day for a year you will have a better vocabulary, speak more articulately and have better critical thinking skills. These are all skills reading gives to you.

I work in a school and we have been taught that the best way for a child to learn to read is by reading to them as much as possible, this is because it helps their brains understand words and phrases in correct contexts. The same applies to adults regardless of reading level.

How audiobooks can help with anxiety

One of the biggest benefits I’ve personally noticed from listening to audiobooks is how much they calm my anxiety. When your brain is anxious, it tends to spiral- replaying conversations, worrying about tomorrow, or jumping ten steps ahead. Audiobooks gently interrupt that cycle.

By focusing on a voice and a story, your mind has something to hold onto. It’s similar to having someone talk you through a moment, grounding you without demanding too much effort. Unlike scrolling or watching TV, audiobooks don’t overstimulate you visually, which makes them especially effective when you’re already feeling frazzled.

For me, listening to audiobooks while doing chores stops my thoughts from running away with themselves. Instead of overthinking while washing up, I’m listening. Instead of catastrophising on the bus home, I’m absorbed. It’s not about escaping reality, it’s about giving your nervous system a break.

How audiobooks can help you sleep

Audiobooks have become a non-negotiable part of my evening routine when I am restless, especially on weeknights. After a full day of stimulation, conversation, and decision-making, my brain needs help switching off, and audiobooks do exactly that.

Listening to a calm, familiar voice slows everything down. Your breathing naturally softens, your thoughts become quieter, and your body gets the signal that it’s safe to rest. Unlike reading on your phone, there’s no blue light involved, and unlike silence, there’s no space for anxious thoughts to creep in.

I often set a sleep timer and let the story fade out on its own. Sometimes I remember where I left off, sometimes I don’t, and honestly, that’s part of the magic. Audiobooks turn bedtime into something soothing rather than another task to get through.

How audiobooks can help you relax

Relaxing doesn’t always look like lying on the sofa doing nothing, especially when your life is busy. Audiobooks allow you to relax ‘while still being productive‘, which for many of us is the only kind of relaxation that feels realistic.

There’s something deeply comforting about being read to. It taps into that childlike sense of safety and care, even when the content itself is informative or serious. Suddenly, everyday tasks feel slower, softer, and less demanding.

Audiobooks make space for calm in moments that would otherwise feel rushed or stressful. They transform dead time into something gentle and intentional, which over time really adds up.

How audiobooks can help you focus

This might sound counterintuitive, but audiobooks actually help me focus more- not less. When my brain has just enough stimulation, I’m far less likely to get distracted.

Listening to an audiobook while doing repetitive tasks keeps my attention anchored. I’m less tempted to check my phone, less likely to rush, and more present in what I’m doing. This is especially helpful if you struggle with restlessness or find it hard to focus in silence.

Audiobooks give your brain a rhythm to follow, which can make both the listening and the task at hand feel easier.

How audiobooks can help your brain

Just like reading, audiobooks are fantastic for your brain health. They expose you to new ideas, sentence structures, vocabulary, and perspectives- all without requiring the same level of energy as sitting down with a physical book.

Listening regularly can improve comprehension, memory, and language skills. It keeps your brain active in a gentle, low-pressure way, which is particularly valuable during periods of stress or burnout.

Think of audiobooks as mental nourishment. You’re feeding your brain something meaningful instead of mindlessly consuming content that leaves you feeling drained.

How audiobooks can help you study

Audiobooks are an incredibly underrated study tool. Whether you’re a student, a lifelong learner, or just curious about the world, they allow you to learn in moments that would otherwise go unused.

They’re especially helpful for revisiting material, reinforcing concepts, or learning about topics you’re genuinely interested in. Listening while walking, cleaning, or commuting can make learning feel less like work and more like a natural part of your day.

For anyone who struggles with traditional study methods, audiobooks can open up an entirely new way of engaging with information. One that feels accessible rather than overwhelming.

Audiobooks won’t magically fix a busy life, but they can make it feel softer, calmer, and more manageable. In seasons where rest feels hard to access, they offer comfort without pressure and learning without exhaustion.

If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, anxious, or stretched too thin, this might be your sign to press play.

This Post was all about the lifechanging benefits of listening to audiobooks.

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