The Power of the Bedtime Story
It's the life hack you never knew you needed. It will improve the quality of your sleep, enhance your intellect and even make you a better human. It's simple, and it's something some of us haven't done since childhood…
It's reading a bedtime story.
Yes, a real story from a book, just like the ones your parents used to read to you at night.
I was struggling to fall asleep, and consequently to wake up early for my fast-paced, high-pressure marketing job, sometimes giving myself only twenty minutes between peeling myself out of bed and starting my commute. I told Karen, my therapist, all of this, and she gave me a knowing smile and did that annoying-but-helpful thing that therapists do: she told me something that seemed incredibly obvious. She urged me to develop a regular nightly routine.
Karen explained that when you do the same two or three actions, in the same order, every single night, those actions signal to your brain that it's almost time to sleep. So, when it's time to close your eyes, your mind is already primed for rest.
So I eschewed my previously chaotic nighttime behavior (a random combination of late night art projects, chain smoking, living room dance parties, etc.) in favor of this ritual: enjoy a cup of decaffeinated tea, brush my teeth, and then read in bed.
It helped. Quite a bit, actually. Within a few weeks of adopting this new habit, my sleep improved, along with my mood. But, you may ask, why is reading a book the important part of the equation? Couldn't I do something else instead and still have the benefits of a nightly routine?
No. It’s reading that’s the key to better rest. I truly believe it, and here’s why:
Better Sleep Quality
The blue light from our electronic devices, including laptops and phones, boosts attention and reaction times, according to this article from Harvard Health Publishing. These qualities may be beneficial during the daytime, but can disrupt our circadian rhythms at night, negatively affecting sleep quality. Experts recommend avoiding blue light for two to three hours before going to bed, so trade your phone for an old fashioned, analog book before bed to usher you into a restful sleep.
Improved Cognition
Recent studies suggest that people who read regularly are less likely to suffer from cognitive decline as they age. Regular reading essentially gives your brain a workout, leading to an expansive vocabulary and improved memory function.
Increased Empathy
Storytelling is one of the ways that humans connect with one another. Putting ourselves into a character's point of view in a story encourages us to imagine what other peoples' lives are like. Plus, reading increases oxytocin in the brain, the same hormone that's produced when we hug someone we love. It decreases stress and anxiety and facilitates bonding. That feeling of connection through storytelling is also what makes effective messaging so important for your marketing. Once you’re well-rested, let me know how I can help tell your story through copywriting, email marketing, social media, branding services and more.
So, grab a good book tonight and sleep happily ever after.