Poll for non-insomniacs

[Mama Twinkles]

Can you help me settle a disagreement? If you are a GOOD sleeper, do you a) often read in bed for a little while to help you fall asleep, or b) not often read in bed to help you fall asleep? Thanks! (I vote a)

 

[BrerLizzie]

B. I never read before I go to bed. It keeps me up longer because I just keep going.

 

[LBAK]

I read every night before bed and I have since I was a child. I find it just relaxes me.

 

[luckywife]

No, I don't read before going to bed. Like BrerLizzie, I get so interested in the book I find it keeps me awake if I start reading at bedtime.

 

[aprilgail2]

I never read in bed.....I watch TV until I fall asleep, as does my daughter...TV always puts us right to sleep if we lay in bed and watch it. Only problem is if its a show you really want to watch you can't watchi n bed or you will fall asleep! We have to watch it out in the living room if we don't want to fall asleep! Reading in bed actually keeps me up.

 

[llij]

While I love to read, it doesn't help me to fall asleep. Like other posters have said, it usually keeps me up especially if it is a really good book.

I actually like to have the television on to help me fall asleep.

 

[monkeyboy]

C.Do it til I am tired

 

[Mama Twinkles]

C.Do it til I am tired

Do you mean before you get into bed, Monkey?

Thanks to all who have responded!

 

[Marseeya]

I can take it or leave it. I don't need to read to go to sleep, but I often read in bed. I'm rarely without a book in my hands any time!

 

[jimmalru80]

I do not believe in reading to fall asleep.

 

[Daxx]

D. I read in bed for the enjoyment of reading, w/o the hopes/intentions of falling asleep.

Hey -- if Monkeyboy can add a C in there, I can add a D!

I love to read ... in bed, while soaking in a hot tub, curled up on the couch ... where ever I can. It's rare to find me w/o a book in hand! Right now, my current book is right here, by the computer ... waiting until I am finished DISing to get to it.

Anyway, I selected B b/c I don't read with the hopes/intentions of falling asleep. I read in bed, before I fall asleep, b/c I love to read! Like other posters have said, often the book I'm reading is "too good to put down" and I wind up reading for longer than I should!

The television puts me to sleep faster than a good book!

 

[Mama Twinkles]

I do not believe in reading to fall asleep.

May I ask why? Thanks!

 

[T1130]

No I watch T.V. till I fall asleep.

 

[MAKmom]

I have to read before bed & have since I was a child. I take it your bed mate wants you to turn the light off? I feel for you. Sometimes it bothers DH so when that happens I pull out a flashlight until he falls asleep.

 

[Marseeya]

Are you going to tell us what the disagreement is about???

 

[LeCras]

I always read before going to sleep, it's part of my night time ritual. Definitely helps me relax and wind down.

My DH goes through periods of insomnia, and some of the literature he has consulted suggests that not reading in bed can help, but that doesn't seem to make a difference for him at all (he reads in bed too). The only thing that does seem to help is valium..!

Charlotte

 

[Tantor]

I always read before going to sleep, it's part of my night time ritual. Definitely helps me relax and wind down.



Charlotte

Me too.

 

[Mama Twinkles]

Are you going to tell us what the disagreement is about???

Well, my disagreement is actually with some professionals who contend that reading in bed is a bad idea. I hate to see bad or one-size-fits-all advice dispensed all over the Web. I think reading's effect depends entirely on the individual, and that it is indeed an extremely helpful soporific for many. Most important is to come to bed tired, not lie there for long periods, and not do anything that makes you MORE awake there (whether or not that is reading). For many, reading is the ultimate relaxant.

Thanks to all who have responded! Keep 'em coming.

 

[NMAmy]

I always read every night before going to sleep--it helps me wind down. I don't have a television in my room--it's too noisey for me, I have to have quiet. I don't have any problems falling asleep or staying asleep.

DH, on the other hand, begins snoring about 2 seconds after his head hits the pillow. I've never seen a grown up do this before although I've seen several toddlers who do it.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I rarely read before going to bed. I sleep like a corpse. I'm dead to the world the second my head hits the pillow.