You seem to be mixing two points
1. Reading books that don’t have an educational value just to relax.
2. Reading secular books to get educated.
Before getting into it I commend you on your years of growth. Yesher koach.
As far as reading just for entertainment perhaps that would be suitable for someone who watches TV and is trying to stop. If they can read relatively not such bad books that is an improvement. However a Rav who grew up ffb and doesn’t need that stuff shouldn’t waste his time and risk filling his mind with hashkafos which are against the Torah.
In terms of “outlets” this is something that takes time. There are people who waste very very little time and accomplish lots of good things. You probably know people like this. You can’t get there over night.
As far as reading for education. Let’s think about it. Let’s say you want to learn how to fix your car, how to knit a sweater, how to paint, pay your taxes, play the piano etc you are not going to get that from learning gemarah. You just aren’t.
So for those who can’t learn every waking hour reading about some of the above could be a very good thing for them. It may help with the needing outlets problem too.