Reading is good for you. If you usually sleep late turning pages and are already known in every bookstore in the neighborhood, you probably already know that. What may surprise you is that the habit doesn’t just make you smarter – it also makes you calmer!

Recommended by experts as something to do just before turning off the lights, as it helps our brain to shut down to sleep, the activity has as much benefit to reduce stress as yoga!

Reasons to start It forces you to be quiet

Just sitting or lying down to read a book means leaving your body at rest. Physical restlessness creates calm and allows your muscles to release tension. It is a form of meditation. Reading requires that your mind is focused on something that is right in front of you, uniting the parts that your brain needs to read words, understand the subject and relate it to personal experience – which can relieve stress.

Reduces anxiety

Being absorbed in a fun story does two things simultaneously: it takes your mind off the anxiety loop, when you are worried about things you can’t control, and it gives you a huge variety of subjects to think about. You may find that reading a novel about someone who has overcome a problem helps you feel more calm and in control. It reduces blood pressure and heart rate, you automatically breathe more slowly when you are reading, which reduces your heart rate and relaxes your blood vessels, making blood flow more easily.

What to read Choose books that you identify with.

Of course, reading about mindfulness, stress reduction or other related topics can alleviate stress. But, it may not work for everyone. You may prefer biographies, suspense, horror or romance – as long as it is pleasurable and keeps your attention.

How to read Reading on a screen – from a cell phone, computer or tablet – can be a different experience: blue light is a stimulant for the brain. So if you’re looking for the relaxing effect of reading, you may not be able to do it that way. Classic paper is the safest way.

Tip: if you suffer from insomnia, or are interested in improving the quality of your sleep, it is best to turn off the screens at least 30 minutes before going to bed.