The Importance of Reading Before Bed: 6 Amazing Benefits

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” – Confucius

Reading has several benefits, and dedicating some time to it before bedtime can enhance its advantages. Unfortunately, one in every four Americans has not read a single book in the last year. If you are one of them, you need to read this article to discover the incredible benefits reading can have on your health, especially when done before bed. Here are six amazing things that will happen when you dedicate a few minutes to reading before hitting the sheets.

1. You will sleep better

Reading helps transport your consciousness to a different world, which eases your mind’s tension and helps you relax better. That is why children adore stories before bedtime – a habit adults should not let go of. According to researchers, moving into a fictional world induces a peaceful and restful sleep, which is essential for our overall mental and physical wellbeing. If you want to get a really restful night’s sleep, try reading a few pages of your favorite book before bed.

2. You will reduce your stress levels

Stress is a universal problem, and we all have to deal with it in one way or another. However, reading might be the perfect way to de-stress and relax after a busy day. Researchers at the University of Surrey (UK) conducted a study to test whether stress levels could be reduced by reading, particularly before bed. The results revealed that stress levels were reduced by up to 68 percent. Next time you are stressed out, pick up a book to switch off and de-stress.

3. You will become more creative

Do high-powered executives read books on marketing before they go to sleep? Not necessarily. Many successful entrepreneurs read anything and everything before bedtime. Why? Because research shows that reading before bed can boost creativity and passion for a project. It is like looking at the world with a different pair of glasses every time, which enhances creativity and ingenuity. Reading before bed can act as a brain workout that can be immensely beneficial for your overall cognitive abilities.

4. You will concentrate better

Our overreliance on technology, especially with the presence of social media and messaging apps, has made us unable to concentrate or focus on anything. However, reading before bed can force us to process information without any visual aids, which can improve our cognitive concentration abilities. We need to train our brains to concentrate and focus, which can be achieved by reading before bed. If you do not use it, you are more likely to lose it.

5. You will be a more empathetic person

Empathy is essential for connecting with others and building meaningful relationships. Reading fiction is an unparalleled way to discover and understand how others feel and act. According to Raymond Mar, a psychologist at York University in Canada, reading can expand our capacity for empathy. Immersing ourselves in fictional narratives helps us identify with characters’ longings, frustrations, hidden motives, and interactions with friends, enemies, neighbors, and lovers. We become more sympathetic to others’ experiences, which can make us more empathetic individuals.

6. You will create an oasis of peace and serenity

What is the best way to wind down before bedtime? Certainly not with the TV on with a violent police drama or the news with depressing headlines. Instead, you need to create a quiet and peaceful space where you can calm your nerves and help your mind get ready for sleep. The blue light emitted from electronic devices can have a detrimental effect on our circadian rhythms, which is why there is nothing like reading a book to quieten everything and everyone down. Moreover, experts suggest that choosing a paper book instead of an e-book can make us read slower, reducing our reading speed by as much as 30 percent.

In conclusion, reading before bed is a healthy and beneficial habit that you should embrace. Not only does it help you get a better night’s sleep, de-stress, and improve concentration and creativity, but it can also make us more empathetic individuals who enjoy tranquility and peace before sleeping. So, grab a book, and start reading before bedtime – it’s one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health.