As technology grows, many are becoming distracted and are turning away from reading books. There are numerous studies that show the negative effects of LED light on our brains. Negative side effects include headaches, eye strains, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and irritability. Reading a book before bedtime has shown tremendous effects on sleep patterns, depression, headache management, stress, and more!
Not only does reading before bed have great benefits, but reading throughout the day challenges your brain and can increase general knowledge.
Some major benefits of reading include:
- Fighting stress
- Promoting empathy and understanding
- Improving sleep
- Boosting cognitive health
- Increasing longevity
- Can help make you smarter
Why is reading important?
- Reading promotes a calming and warming environment which helps to manage stress.
- Expands your knowledge of the world by building empathy and understanding.
- Reading at bedtime is associated with longer total nighttime sleep durations.
- Reading sentences out loud can help improve working memory.
- Boosts brain function which leads to a decreased dementia risk.
- Contributes to an increase in world knowledge and abstract reasoning skills.
How can you incorporate reading into your life?
- Try to create a routine that is repeated every day.
- Some ideas include reading for 30 minutes in the morning, during your lunch break, or right before bedtime.
- Reading something inspiring or motivating is a great way to start your day.
- Choosing books over screen time before bed will help your brain relax and prepare for the sleep ahead.
- Blue lights also decrease melatonin production that you need to help sleep.
- Avoid digital reading before bedtime as it can stimulate your brain and cause you to not be tired.
