Reading books is a wonderful hobby that introduces you to so many new things, places, cultures and ideas. It takes you to a whole new world and into the lives of different people in present, history and fiction. What’s more, it has amazing benefits such as improved memory, empathy and analytical skills, stress reduction and increased ability to concentrate and focus.

Reading books not only takes you to a different world, but also takes you to dreamland. Passionate readers can surely relate to this. When your long awaited book reaches the stalls, you grab a copy home after work to begin your new reading adventure and the next thing you know: its morning and you slept while reading! Reading before bed has a healthy impact on your sleep; which is why most people treat reading books as a sedative and have incorporated reading as part of their bedtime routine.

It may seem surprising as to why reading induces sleep, especially if it’s a book of your interest and you would rather read than actually sleep. Experts suggest that one of the top reasons reading helps you to settle for sleep, is that it’s a major stress buster. I mean who wouldn’t want to get lost in a wonderful story and simply forget about the weird thing your boss said earlier that day or the fight you had with your partner. When you relax, it’s easier for you to fall asleep because stress is the number sleep stealer. In fact, reading reduces stress more effectively than any other common stress relievers, such as listening to music or walking. Even reading for as less as 6 minutes, does the job of significantly lowering your stress levels. The interesting thing is that general practitioners in Great Britain are now recommending reading books to their patients, as a solution to depression and anxiety.

When you read, you often do so in a comfortable position, either by snuggling in your bed or sitting in your favorite sofa or chair. When sitting comfortably your body muscles relax allowing your body to prepare for sleep. Also, if you are reading at bedtime, chances are you are already tired after a long busy day, so sleep comes easily as soon as reading unwinds you.

Another common past time before bed is watching your favorite shows and most people like to be lulled to sleep by Netflix. Unlike watching movies or television to bed, reading to bed increases your sleep quality. You might think that watching television or reading before bed should have more or less affects your sleep in the same way, after all they both help you to unwind and you get lost in a new world and new story whether it’s watching one or reading one. But studies suggest that watching television to bed actually results in poor quality of sleep and you wake up groggy even after a full 7-8 hour long sleep.

According to sleep experts, the bright light from TV and other electronic devices stimulate the brain and limit the secretion of melatonin, the sleep inducing hormone. In simple words the blue light from TV has practically the same effect as daylight.

If evenings are the only times you get to catch up on your favorite shows, we recommend you shut off your TV at least 30 minutes before bed so your brain can get enough time to unwind and relax. You can snuggle in bed at this time and read a book to help you settle for sleep.

If you’re considering reading on your tablet or laptop instead of a real book than forget any chances of you sleeping peacefully like a baby. Just like TV screens, the light from these electronic device screens have similar negative effects on our brain. Studies also suggest that reading on paper instead of an electronic screen, is better for memory retention and focus. An experiment was conducted in Norway where people were given a short to read, either on an electronic deceive or paperback book. When the two groups were quizzed later, those who read the paperback were more likely to remember plot points in order.

Reading an e-book also results in visual fatigue, a condition marked by tired, itching and burning eyes due to high levels of screen luminance. So, if you want to make the most of reading before bed, make sure you flip through the pages of a real book.

Even if you are not an avid reader and the only time you find yourself reading is when checking emails, going through articles on social media or reading product info at the back of a carton, I suggest you give bedtime read a shot. Start with any book of your interest or simply go through a magazine and trust me you will be hooked instantly.

About Post Writer

Eugene Gabriel is a passionate blogger. He has always been fascinated by sleep and how it relates to health and wellness.

Read his post on Interesting things about sleep.

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