The Joy of Reading Before Bed
One habit I’ve retained since my early childhood is reading in bed before going to sleep. My parents instilled this habit in me, both by encouragement and example. I’m now at the point where if I don’t read before going to sleep I feel “off”, like my day has been skewed. The main benefit of reading right before bed is that it relaxes the mind without overstimulating like television does.
A good example of how reading relaxes the mind is that when I’m up late at night, I often listen to music while I work. The music gets me going and helps me stay awake. In other words, the music acts as a stimulant. Then, when I got to bed and read, I become more calm. I’m ready for sleep. No matter what I’m reading; action/adventure, literary fiction, mystery, science fiction – the effect is still the same.
I think reading has this calming effect because it’s only in the mind. By that I mean that when we read, we have the visual act of reading, but processing the story and imagining the story all takes place in the mind. Reading is more contemplative. A good story is something you can carry around in your mind and think about throughout the day and night.
I find it interesting that when I look back on my childhood, I have vivid memories of the books I read. I can’t say the same thing about the TV shows I watched. Like I said before, reading is mostly your own imagination. The way you visualize the characters, setting, plot and so forth is yours.
When do you find is the best time to read? Do you read before bed? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
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