| Many of us find reading in bed a great way to relax | | | | through a stack of magazines or comics, the area |
| and unwind after a busy day, or to escape from our | | | | around your bed can easily become cluttered. Many |
| everyday problems into another world. | | | | bedside cabinets are designed with voracious readers |
| Reading for half an hour or more before turning the | | | | in mind and contain shelves and magazine racks, so |
| light out helps you fall asleep more quickly, and books | | | | you can keep all your reading material to hand while |
| are a great form of entertainment and a way of | | | | your sleeping environment remains tidy and inviting. |
| learning something new. Although reading at night can | | | | As for what to read in bed: fiction or non-fiction, light or |
| provide us with some much-needed time alone, sharing | | | | literary, it's really up to you. If you're stuck for ideas, |
| a good book can also help us connect with family and | | | | take a look round the bestseller section in your |
| friends. | | | | bookshop, read reviews and swap recommendations |
| Bedside reading in comfort | | | | online, subscribe to a new magazine, or join your local |
| Eyestrain is a major cause of headaches and fatigue, | | | | library or reading group. If you suffer from insomnia or |
| and it's important to avoid it when reading in bed. Make | | | | bad dreams, avoid stories with disturbing content and |
| sure you have regular eye tests and that the | | | | don't bring work-related reading into your bedroom. If |
| prescription for your spectacles (if you wear them) is | | | | you have to work in the evenings, try to do it in |
| up-to-date. You should also visit your optician for | | | | another room and allow yourself time to switch off in |
| regular eye tests even if you're not aware of any | | | | bed with a good book. |
| problems. Even a small correction to your eyesight | | | | Children and bedtime reading |
| with reading glasses could improve the quality and | | | | Around two thirds of UK parents regularly read a |
| length of your reading time. | | | | bedtime story to their children. Not only can bedtime |
| Ensuring you have the right lighting in your bedroom will | | | | reading help develop a child's literacy skills and |
| also help you to avoid straining your eyes. If you sleep | | | | creativity, but it can also strengthen the bond between |
| with your partner, it's best to have bedside lights with | | | | parent and child by allowing them to enter and explore |
| individual switches. An adjustable or swing-arm reading | | | | an imaginary world together. Bedtime stories help |
| lamp is ideal for you to avoid disturbing each other if | | | | children calm down and unwind, which aids restful |
| you like to go to sleep at different times. Your bedside | | | | sleep. |
| lamp should be bright enough to illuminate the page of | | | | Reading to children encourages them to enjoy reading |
| your book adequately, but not too harsh. Even the | | | | for themselves once they are older. Children who read |
| colour of your lampshade can have an effect: a dark | | | | for pleasure typically display higher reading attainment, |
| lampshade makes it difficult for enough light to shine | | | | better writing ability, broader vocabularies and better |
| through, a too-pale colour creates a glare on your | | | | general knowledge than those who don't. Once your |
| page, and a patterned shade may cast a shadow | | | | child is old enough to read in bed on their own make |
| over your book. | | | | sure they have a good bedside lamp, and take them |
| Sitting up in bed to read for long periods can put a | | | | to get their eyes tested if they show any signs of |
| strain on your back and neck. It's difficult to maintain a | | | | eyestrain such as headaches. |
| comfortable position while leaning against an ordinary | | | | Children's favourite books range from works by |
| pillow, so consider getting a pillow that's designed to | | | | contemporary authors J. K Rowling and Philip Pullman |
| give extra support to your back and neck. If you find | | | | to old classics like the Narnia Chronicles, |
| holding a book up makes your arms ache and you'd | | | | Winnie-the-Pooh, or Alice in Wonderland. For advice on |
| prefer to be hands-free, a variety of movable bedside | | | | the most appropriate books for different age groups, |
| reading stands is available. Some of these come with | | | | visit the children's section of your bookshop or talk to |
| clip-on lamps, and even page holders so you'll never fall | | | | your child's teachers. If your child is particularly sensitive, |
| asleep and lose your place again! | | | | you may want to avoid anything too scary just before |
| If you like to have several books on the go, or to flick | | | | bedtime. |