The Bedtime Story We All Forgot
Most of us remember the ritual: a parent tucking us in, opening a book, and reading just long enough for our eyelids to start drooping. Those bedtime stories weren’t just cute routines. They were small, intentional pockets of calm that shaped our brains, emotions, and sleep.
Why Reading Before Bed Matters
Research shows that reading before sleep has multiple benefits:
Calms the nervous system – slowing heart rate and breathing, signaling the body that it is time to rest.
Improves sleep quality – a consistent bedtime reading routine can make it easier to fall asleep and improve deep sleep.
Enhances empathy and imagination – stories let the brain practice perspective-taking, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
Reduces screen time stress – unlike phones or tablets, books don’t trigger blue light or constant alerts.
What Adults Have Lost
Many adults have traded bedtime stories for scrolling. The small, intentional pause before sleep has mostly disappeared. Without that quiet wind-down, our minds stay active, making stress, worry, or overthinking harder to escape at night.
Reintroducing even a mini reading ritual before bed can restore some of those lost benefits. It does not have to be long or perfect: five to ten minutes is enough to calm the mind and prepare the brain for rest.
How to Bring Back the Magic
Keep a few books by your bedside that you genuinely enjoy.
Read aloud, even to yourself, savoring the rhythm of language.
Make it non-negotiable, just like brushing your teeth.
Swap a phone check for a short story or a chapter from a favorite novel.
By borrowing this childhood habit for ourselves, we tap into the same calm, curiosity, and mental reset we experienced as kids. The bedtime story is no longer just for children.
