The State of the Bible report examined the impact of common self-care activities, including exercising, volunteering in the community, meditating, and praying, on individuals' levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and hope. They then compared how reading Scriptures impacted those same feelings.

And although people who read Scriptures tended to participate equally in most self-care activities, except exercise, than those who did not, researchers found that reading the Word of God had a positive impact on stress, anxiety, loneliness, and hope.

"Our research confirms that all the things that people do to improve their general well-being—exercise, seeing friends, and so on—are statistically associated with fuller lives. So is Bible reading," said John Plake, ABS chief innovation officer and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series. "In fact, the Bible's connection to lower stress, anxiety, and loneliness is stronger than that of meditation, spending time with a friend, or even exercise."

The results of the study were based on a scale, which rated stress from 0-40, anxiety from 0-20, and 5-20 for loneliness, with lower numbers better. Higher numbers were better in the case of rating hope, which went from 3 to 24.

Individuals who read the Bible weekly, or even more frequently, experienced stress levels of 8, compared to 9.6 for those who didn't read Scripture.

Anxiety registered 4.3 among readers compared to 4.8 for non-readers for those who read the Bible at least weekly.

Loneliness came in at an 11.1 on average, compared to 11.8 among non-readers. And readers registered 18.6 on the hope scale, compared to 16.8 for non-readers.

"Those who keep coming back to Scripture find reassurance in stressful times, hope for the future," Plake said, "and a growing relationship with the God who knows them intimately and loves them deeply."

Since 2020, the ABS has specifically analyzed how the Word of God is benefiting individuals and communities. Researchers have consistently found that the Bible "makes a significant difference in well-being" on the Human Flourishing Index.

The State of the Bible study defined flourishing as "a state of thriving and well-being where all aspects of a person's life are good."

On average, Americans rated themselves as a 7.1 out of 10, but Scripture-engaged individuals came in slightly higher at an 8.1.

"Even flourishing is not an end in itself," a release from the American Bible Society reads. "It is a blessing God provides when we trust Him and walk with Him. Scripture often reminds us that our connection with God brings about abundant life, great joy, peace that passes understanding, rich blessing, and even flourishing."

Researchers with ABS performed a nationally representative survey through NORC at the University of Chicago, using their AmeriSpeak panel. The study produced 2,656 responses from American adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2025.

Overall, researchers encouraged Bible reading as a proven and beneficial self-care practice.

"As the anchoring element of soul care, the Bible opens us up to a transformative interaction—a relationship with God," researchers wrote. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Talia Wise served as a multi-media producer for CBNNews.com, CBN Newswatch, The Prayer Link, and CBN News social media outlets.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Revival Grips Brazil's Amazon: 'God Is Everything for Me'

More Arson? Investigators Sift Through Ashes at Landmark 173-Year-Old Church Searching for Clues

Shocking Survey: More than Two-Thirds of Gen-Z Don't Know What America 250 Commemorates (Video)

US House to Vote on Bill Making Daylight Savings Time Permanent

What to Know About Darline Nordone, Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to Fill His Seat

Amid Renewed War against Iran's Islamic Regime, the Country's People Once Again Take to the Streets in Anti-government Protests

US Pounds Iranian Targets After Blockade Reimposed; Trump Scraps 20% Fee for Trade Deals

'Abundant Life': Study Finds Bible-Reading Is Better Self-Care Than Exercise

A New Low: Doctors Are Now Making the Case for Death by Organ Donation

Trump Administration Launches Anti-Predator Initiative for Schools K-12

US Targeting Islamic Republic Army Bases, Strikes IRGC Nuclear Town; People of Iran React to Sen. Graham's Death

Cause of Death Revealed for Lindsey Graham, Pro-Life Champion and Strong Defender of Israel

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71

'The Way, The Truth and The Life': Direct Descendant of Muhammad Now Follows Jesus

Food for Thought: The Rich Do Not Get Rich at Expense of the Poor [Video]

Mamdani Erases Little Italy ... and (Of Course) the Jews

A Lesson from King David, and a Call to Prayer from Give Him 15

Prayer Alert: Israel Has Informed the US of Another Specific Plot to Assassinate Donald Trump

Marco Rubio Steps in After Tim Walz Pardoned Illegal Alien Child Rapist before Deportation

Prosecutors Present Texts of Alleged Confession by Tyler Robinson in Hearing for Charlie Kirk Murder