Reading to Fall Asleep Changed My Life. Here's Why You Should Try It

Reading at night is my secret weapon for getting a good night's sleep.

If my sage personal advice isn't enough to convince you, here are some real reasons you should be reading to fall asleep at night Why reading can help you fall asleep at night It's relaxing and distracting CNET Sleep Tips logo Why do we read in the first place? For many, it's to engross ourselves in another world and forget any stress or anxiety we're carrying.

A different 2021 online survey of over 900 participants found that of the 496 participants who read to fall asleep at night, 42% reported that their sleep quality improved.

Reading is a more complex task for the brain than scrolling through your phone or watching TV. So by reading at night, not only are you relaxing, but you're strengthening the connections in your brain and potentially preventing age-related cognitive decline.

Don't read for too long Admittedly, there are a few caveats I have to mention about reading to fall asleep.

Don't read on your phone You should avoid reading on screens that give off blue light.

Reading can't be the only thing you do As much as I hate to admit it, reading isn't a magical cure-all for poor sleep hygiene