Is Reading Before Bed a Good Habit for Sleep?

kiran Aftab
3 min readOct 11, 2024

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Reading before bed allows the mind to unwind from the stresses of the day, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep

If you want to sleep well, reading books before sleeping is your best option.

We all know reading is a good habit, but if it helps you live longer, then what do you think?

Yeah, many studies show that reading books consecutively can help you live longer.

Let’s jump in deep and unveil how reading books can help us get better sleep.

1. Ease Stress

Everyone experiences some kind of stress in their lives. If these emotions keep you lying awake long past your bedtime, then you don’t need to do too much — just pick your favorite book and read it for at least half an hour.

Trust me, if you do this practice for a month, you will see a prominent difference in your sleep.

Moreover, your knowledge will increase as well. You will learn something new and see a world with a different aspect.

Always start with small steps. If you cannot read it for 30 minutes, you can read it for 10 minutes initially. After some time, you can increase the time limit as much as you enjoy.

After all, consistency is the key to success!

2. Relieve insomnia

Sleeping too late regularly can also negatively impact your physical health.

However, when combined with insomnia treatment, reading books also helps de-stimulate your brain before bed.

In the beginning, you can start reading whatever you want; there are no specific requirements. But when your habit develops, you can also read fiction books and novels.

Choosing books in non-stimulating genres, like thoughtful or reflective thrillers, instead of dramatic or action-packed ones further ensures that your mind will stay peaceful without racing.

3. Improve sleep quality

According to the studies, 78% of people said they have improved their sleeping quality via reading books.

However, it is very important to know what kind of book you choose.

Horror stories will not improve your sleep quality at all.

Poetry and short stories can be particularly effective for winding down before bed because they offer brief, reflective moments of engagement without overstimulating the mind.

Reading Selected Poems by Mary Oliver or A.A. Milne’s The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh can evoke a sense of nostalgia and calm, perfect for easing into sleep.

Conclusion

Reading books is very important not only for better sleep but for knowing.

Books are true friends who care and teach something new and amazing without any expectations.

Whenever you get free time, read books, especially before going to sleep, because it really helps. In my personal experience, I always read a few pages before saying good night to my family.

This is it. I hope you liked and enjoyed my writing.

Thanks for reading.

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kiran Aftab
kiran Aftab

Written by kiran Aftab

My name is kiran Aftab and as a professional writer, I’ve explored countless topics, always striving to create something meaningful.

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