Good news for Book Worms | Eastern North Carolina Now

    I've never needed an excuse to read; I've more often felt the need to defend my early to bed reading habit. My husband has long since grown accustomed-or perhaps it's resigned to--my habit of heading upstairs shortly before 9 PM to hit the bed so I can read for at least an hour before lights out. Nowadays, if I'm engrossed in a book and can manage to keep my eyes open, I may even stay awake reading until 11 or 11:30, but that's only because I no longer have to get up early to go to work.

    You can imagine then how delighted I was to see the headline "The surprising benefits of reading before bed" in the Business Insider. The article outlines quite a few impressive benefits, but I was most struck by the assertion that, "Cracking open a book before you go to bed could help combat insomnia...: A 2009 study from researchers at University of Sussex showed that six minutes of reading reduces stress by 68% (more relaxing than either music or a cup of tea), thus clearing the mind and readying the body for sleep." And the researchers say it doesn't matter whether it's chick lit, murder mysteries, fiction or non-fiction, high- or low-brow. If you're absorbed in the words, "... tension evaporates and the body relaxes, paving the way for sleep."

    Gee, since I read for at least an hour each night, I should be completely stress free by the time I turn the lights out. Too bad that's not quite the case. Though I'm usually able to nod off pretty quickly, I also often wake up in the middle of the night with things running through my brain. Still, I've always known that reading makes me sleepy, and I almost never turn out the light without reading a few pages, no matter how late I get to bed.

    What are the other benefits of reading? "... Those who read consistently exhibit significantly greater memory and mental abilities at all stages in life. They're also better public speakers, thinkers and, according to some studies, better people in general." Well heck, doesn't that make you want to run right out and buy a book or visit the library?

    If you actually do, you'll be in the minority, as another study revealed in 2014 "... that one-quarter of American adults hadn't read a single book in the previous year." I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that fact, but I am saddened by it. Reading is so much a part of my life that I can't imagine anyone forgoing a good book for television or surfing the internet. I realize that some folks never get a chance to sit down and simply have no time to read because they're working long hours, raising a family or fulfilling other obligations, and then falling into bed exhausted. When there is a chance to sit down, though, I'll always choose a book. That's why I take a book with me to the doctor's office and everywhere I go.

    Now that my lifelong habit has been officially deemed beneficial, I'm looking forward to updating my "want to read" list, putting even more books on hold at the library, and shopping library sales and Amazon.

    Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident now happily retired from a corporate career in communications and leadership development. Find more of her musings at TheInkPenn.blogspot.com or contact her at kathymanospenn@gmail.com