Reading a book before bed can be a relaxing activity because it allows the mind to slow down and focus on something other than the stresses of the day. The simple motion of your eyes moving across the pages of your novel allows your body to unwind, and your muscles to relax.
The very act of reading can also reduce the production of cortisol within your body, further helping you to relax. By creating a calming bedtime routine, reading a book can also signal to the brain that it is time to sleep, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Here are three health benefits of reading a book before bed:
It Can Help You Fall Asleep Faster
Did you know that reading a book before bed can actually help you fall asleep faster? As long as you don’t read too late into the night, it can be an effective method to promote sleepiness. Most people take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to fall asleep, which is known as sleep latency. While some individuals may naturally drift off with ease, others may require some assistance, and reading a book can be an excellent way to wind down before sleep.
A recent study compared the results of individuals who read before bedtime to those who didn’t read, and it was found that 42% of the readers reported an improvement in their sleep, whereas only 28% of the non-readers reported any sleep improvements.
However, it’s important to note that using light-emitting e-readers may have a negative impact on your health. When we talk about the benefits of reading before bedtime, we’re referring to good old fashioned books. Scientific studies have shown that electronic devices emit blue light, which can suppress the production of melatonin – an essential hormone that causes drowsiness and typically rises in the evening as the body prepares to rest. This blue light can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep patterns according to natural light shifts, as well as next-morning alertness. As blue light is naturally present in daylight, it sends signals to the body that it’s time to wake up.
Reading Can Calm Your Mind
Did you know that reading just a few pages of a book can help decrease stress levels by up to 68%? A study conducted by the University of Sussex found that reading has a more significant impact on reducing stress than other commonly used relaxation techniques, such as listening to music or sipping a hot cup of tea. This research suggests that you don’t need to read for hours on end to experience the benefits of stress relief offered by books.
When we read, our minds are transported to another world, helping us detach from the daily stresses of life. This leads to a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone, while simultaneously increasing dopamine and serotonin levels, which are neurotransmitters responsible for positive emotions. By reading, we can exercise mindfulness and cultivate a deeper sense of tranquility. Dopamine and serotonin play a vital role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, making them important for a good night’s sleep.
Reading Boosts Your Cognitive Function
Did you know that reading isn’t just for entertainment? It’s also an excellent workout for the brain, much like solving puzzles or crosswords. It keeps the mind sharp and active, enhancing memory and cognitive function. Studies show that reading regularly, at any time of day, is associated with a decreased risk of cognitive decline and an improvement in critical thinking abilities. Not only can reading strengthen neural pathways, but it can also benefit mental health by reducing stress, improving memory, and enhancing creativity. And as we age, reading can help keep the brain’s processing speed sharp.
When it comes to cognitive function, quality sleep is crucial. Improving sleep can, in turn, improve cognitive abilities. Reading a book engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, including visual, auditory, and emotional regions. These areas work together to create mental images, hear the words spoken, and experience emotional responses to the text. Through this process, neural connections between these areas are strengthened, making it easier to recall information later on.
It’s important to note that mobile phones emit blue light, which can disrupt your circadian rhythm or internal body clock. Even a brief 10-minute session of scrolling on your phone could have this effect. Watching television can have the same impact, as it can cause a reduction in melatonin levels and an increase in alertness, making it harder to fall asleep.
Additionally, the content of what you watch before bedtime can impact the quality of your sleep. Violent or intense programming, for example, could trigger nightmares, leading to poor sleep quality and chronic insomnia.
THE LIFESTYLE COLLECTIVE 