Not only does it promote better sleep, it’s also likely to improve your mental health
Spending just six minutes performing a common activity before bed can “reduce stress levels by 68%”, thus promoting a better night’s sleep, according to a medical study.
Research conducted by the University of Sussex back in 2009 found reading for as few as six minutes was better and quicker at lowering stress than other methods such as listening to music (a 61% reduction), or going for a walk (a reduction of 42%).
Experts believe that having to concentrate on the book helps distract the brain away from stressful thoughts, lowering heart rate and muscle tension. More than this, Dr. David Lewis, a cognitive neuropsychologist who conducted the study further elaborated to say: “An active engaging of the imagination as the words on the printed page stimulate your creativity and cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness.”
The type of book you choose doesn’t matter, as long as it’s something you find engaging. Setting time aside each day – or at night before bed – to read could open up a host of benefits to you.
According to a British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists study, reading is likely to also improve mental health, ease depression symptoms, improve memory and focus, and increase your knowledge.
