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How long should I read before bed?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 25, 2026

The recommended time will vary, but a general recommendation is to read long enough to help you feel drowsy without compromising on the amount of sleep you get each night. Try reading for 20 minutes to start.

Is reading before bed OK?

There's no denying that books can help you dream big, day or night. But diving into the pages of a book before bed might help you relax before you crawl between your sheets. Reading before bed, then, could promote restful sleep, and maybe even more interesting dreams.

Should you read 30 minutes before bed?

One study found reading for 30 minutes was associated with lower blood pressure and heart rate and significant reductions in stress — and researchers at the University of Sussex reported that reading for as few as six minutes before bed reduced stress by 68%, making it more relaxing than listening to music or drinking ...

Is it bad to watch TV before bed?

Turning on the TV before bedtime can disrupt our sleep cycles and excessive exposure can lead to depression and anxiety. “Anything that is stimulating to the brain before bed may be detrimental to one's ability to fall asleep,” explains Dr. Richard Shuster, clinical psychologist and host of The Daily Helping podcast.

What are the benefits of reading before bed?

The Benefits of Reading Before Bed: 6 Reasons Why You Should Pick Up Your Book Before Bed

  • Break From Screen Time.
  • Stress Relief.
  • Improved Sleep Quality.
  • Empathy.
  • Long Term Effects on Cognition.
  • Short Time Investment.
26 related questions found

How long should I read a day?

However, numerous studies have defined that 15-30 minutes is a minimum interval we should dedicate to reading each day. Neuroscientists agree that even simple lifestyle changes, like daily 15 minutes with a nose in a book, will support your brain health for a lifetime. Think about it.

What should you not do before bed?

7 things not to do before you go to sleep

  • Don't use any kind of digital technology. ...
  • Don't take sleeping pills (unless you've been diagnosed with insomnia). ...
  • Don't drink alcohol. ...
  • Don't work in bed (or anywhere in the bedroom). ...
  • Don't consume caffeine after 5 p.m. ...
  • Don't eat fatty foods. ...
  • Don't exercise.

Is 5 hours enough for sleep?

Sometimes life calls and we don't get enough sleep. But five hours of sleep out of a 24-hour day isn't enough, especially in the long term. According to a 2018 study of more than 10,000 people, the body's ability to function declines if sleep isn't in the seven- to eight-hour range.

How many hours does Elon Musk sleep?

Musk wakes up each morning at around 7 am. He says he likes getting around six to six-and-a-half hours of sleep per night. Sleeping in is not an option for him, saying it affects his performance more than if he sleeps less.

How can I sleep 8 hours in 3 hours?

So if you're going to only get 4 hours of sleep in one night, make sure you don't make it a habit.

  1. Practice Relaxing Activities. ...
  2. Step Away From Electronic Screens. ...
  3. Get Comfy In A Dark And Quiet Environment. ...
  4. Avoid Liquids Before Sleep. ...
  5. Practice Mindfulness.

Is 6 hours of sleep good for a teenager?

Summary. Sleep research suggests that a teenager needs between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night. Most teenagers only get about 6.5-7.5 hours sleep per night. Teen's body clocks naturally shift to make them feel tired later in the evening, but early school starts do not enable them to sleep in the mornings.

What should you do 2 hours before bed?

Instead, do something you find relaxing, and here are some ideas.

  • Reading. Many people read before bed. ...
  • Prayer or Meditation. Engaging in rote prayers or meditative mantras can calm the mind. ...
  • Listening to Music. ...
  • Watching TV or a Movie. ...
  • Taking a Bath or a Shower.

Can reading before bed keep you awake?

Reading, in itself, does not make you sleepy, but it distracts from the troubles of the day, making sleep easier. I enjoy a book at bedtime and generally recommend that people read fiction at night rather than nonfiction.

What time should you stop drinking water before bed?

Make sure you stop drinking water at least two hours before your target bedtime. One study shows that a short fluid intake-to-bedtime window of one hour wasn't enough for people with nocturia.

Does reading increase IQ?

1 It increases intelligence.

Exposure to vocabulary through reading (particularly reading children's books) not only leads to higher score on reading tests, but also higher scores on general tests of intelligence for children. Plus, stronger early reading skills may mean higher intelligence later in life.

How many hours does Elon Musk read?

A young Elon Musk read for 10 hours each day before growing up to become Tesla CEO. These days, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates reads a new book every week. Here's how some of their peers incorporate reading into their own lives.

How long should a 13 year old read per day?

While 15 to 20 minutes is the recommended amount of reading, it is important to note that, if your child is interested in and enjoying what she is reading, it is fine to encourage more time.

Is it good to study before bed?

Studying times tables at bedtime could improve the chances of being able to recall them later. Researchers from Loughborough University are investigating the impact of sleep on learning to try to understand whether the time of day makes a difference to a person's memory.

Is it good to read everyday?

A person who reads everyday gets better at it over time. Not surprisingly, daily readers also gain more enjoyment from it than those that read less often. It can even improve memory and critical thinking skills. And activities like reading have been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Is drinking water before bed good?

Drinking warm water before bed will keep you hydrated through the night and may help the body to rid itself of unwanted toxins. It may also help to relieve pain or cramping in the stomach. If plain water is too bland or if you're trying to beat a cold, consider adding lemon to you water before bed.

How can I fall asleep in 10 seconds?

Relax your legs, thighs, and calves. Clear your mind for 10 seconds by imagining a relaxing scene. If this doesn't work, try saying the words “don't think” over and over for 10 seconds. Within 10 seconds, you should fall asleep!

How can I calm my mind before bed?

So what can you do to calm down so you can actually sleep?

  1. De-stressing exercises. ...
  2. Build a sleep routine to transition from day to night. ...
  3. Try to go to bed around the same time every night, even on weekends. ...
  4. Don't lie in bed awake. ...
  5. Consider getting some products to help you de-stress.

Should a 17 year old have a bedtime?

The answer depends on your teen and your own situation. A 13-year-old may need more help going to sleep at an appropriate hour, and parents can help. A 17-year-old shouldn't need as many reminders about good sleep habits. Rather than give an older teen a strict bedtime, it's better to educate your teen.

What time should a 13 year old wake up?

For teenagers, Kelley says that, generally speaking, 13- to 16-year-olds should be in bed by 11.30pm. However, our school system needs a radical overhaul to work with teenagers' biological clocks. “If you're 13 to 15 you should be in school at 10am, so that means you're waking up at 8am.

Why do teenagers stay up late?

It's kind of cool when you think about it—that around the time of puberty, adolescents show a hormonally driven shift in their circadian rhythms that allows them to stay awake later and sleep in later.