Reading before bed is lifetime tradition for some. Many people do not have enough time during their day to catch up on their favorite magazine or read a book by a favorite author. It has been found that reading before bed is actually good for an adult’s brain, and here’s why:
Stress Reduction: A study highlighted in the Telegraph by the University of Sussex found that when it came to stress reduction, "reading worked best, reducing stress levels by 68%" – according to Dr. David Lewis. It was better than listening to music (61%), drinking tea or coffee (54%) and taking a walk (42%). It only took 6 minutes for participants’ stress levels to be reduced. This is because your mind gets distracted from daily stresses and worries while reading.
Brain Power: Reading can actually boost brain power. Since our brains are muscles, they need to be exercised, and reading is considered more neurologically challenging. Another amazing benefit that reading has on the brain is that it can reduce the risk of developing degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's. A study found that people who engage their brains in activities such as reading, or solving puzzles are 2.5 times less likely to develop that type of illness.
Creativity & Empathy Boost: Reading books allows the reader to see things from different perspectives and feel emotionally connected with others. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Through reading, we are able to see the story through someone else’s eyes and experience their feelings with them.