The majority of us tend to either watch television when in bed, or use our mobile phones instead. Both of these activities actually make it harder for you to get to sleep, this is because blue light is a brain stimulant, making it harder for you to settle down when it comes to getting some shut-eye. Whereas reading a book before bed has several advantages that may make you consider grabbing a book rather than your mobile device.
Stress Relief
After a long day at work/college, it can be hard to unwind, you can lay in bed struggling to get to sleep. Reading can be the ideal solution for those looking to destress before bed. Reading about something that interests you can make you forget about your troubles, allowing you to relax and unwind before hitting the hay.
Enhance The Quality Of Your Sleep
The process of reading mentally prepares your body for a good night’s sleep, it can ease your mind and help you to forget about everyday stress. Getting into the habit of reading at night can help you to get to sleep faster and can overall improve the quality of your sleep.
Fight Off Anxiety
Anxiety affects a high amount of us, it is one of the most common mental health concerns around the world. Some practitioners have actually begun to prescribe book reading as a treatment for those that suffer from a mild level of depression or anxiety. This is because reading natural uplifts your mood, unless of course you’re reading a sad story.
Improved Memory
Reading before bed can help improve your memory by keeping your brain active and engaged. This can help you remember important information better, whether it's from a novel, a non-fiction book or even an article.
Educational and Cultural Benefits
Reading can help improve your vocabulary, knowledge and cultural awareness. Reading books, articles and news can also expose you to new ideas and perspectives that can broaden your understanding of the world.
Conclusions
When reading before bed it's recommendable to opt for a physical book instead of a digital device, as the blue light emitted from electronic devices can inhibit the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep. A physical book can also be a good way to disconnect from screens and social media, which can help reduce stress and improve sleep.
In summary, reading a good book before hitting the hay can be just what you need in order to ease you into a perfect night’s sleep. Reading relieves stress, improves the quality of your sleep as well as reducing your levels of anxiety. So turn off your phone/television and read a book instead, you’ll soon notice an improvement in your quality of sleep.
