How to relax after reading

[Smartie]

I usually read on the bed before sleep, but what I found is after reading, I am getting excited. I am not talking some serious books that trigger brain thinking. I am talking about some fictional book such as "anna karenina", so after read, it takes me quite a long time before fall sleep. Anyone has some good suggestions/ideas to relax(or feel tired) in short time, so I can have more time to sleep?

THanks

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Smartie

I usually read on the bed before sleep, but what I found is after reading, I am getting excited. I am not talking some serious books that trigger brain thinking. I am talking about some fictional book such as "anna karenina",

No reason a fictional book shouldn't trigger thinking. A good story will easily have you thinking about what's going on and what might happen next.

so after read, it takes me quite a long time before fall sleep. Anyone has some good suggestions/ideas to relax(or feel tired) in short time, so I can have more time to sleep?

Other than don't read in bed or right before going to bed?

Maybe try some music or nature sounds that help your brain focus on something else?

[pidgeon92]

Reading is what I do to relax.

[Barty]

Read another book?

J/K

I suffer from insomnia so I can relate.

This depends entirely on your physiology and environment and habits. You will just have to figure out what works for you. Maybe a little TV, light sitcom, nothing too stimulating. Maybe listen to audio books or podcasts. Listen to guided meditation, or relaxation exercises. But anyway you need to find something that does not wire you up.

[cromag]

I read before bed. Not on a tablet or computer monitor, so I'm not getting a dose of blue light before bed, but on a reflective LCD or Eink ereader. I often have either a glass of wine or a mug of hot cocoa while reading. I find it relaxing.

Of course, you might want to avoid thrillers, political diatribes, or other areas that can boost adrenaline levels!

[Sweetpea]

I often have to wake myself to put my book away... Reading on a tablet, it won't do to keep the thing in bed while sleeping, not sure it'd survive

[murg]

Originally Posted by Smartie

Anyone has some good suggestions/ideas to relax(or feel tired) in short time, so I can have more time to sleep?

THanks

Whack yourself upside your head with a book, preferably a hard cover.

That'll put you right out.

[drjd]

Originally Posted by murg

Whack yourself upside your head with a book, preferably a hard cover.

That'll put you right out.

Originally Posted by Smartie

I usually read on the bed before sleep, but what I found is after reading, I am getting excited. I am not talking some serious books that trigger brain thinking. I am talking about some fictional book such as "anna karenina", so after read, it takes me quite a long time before fall sleep. Anyone has some good suggestions/ideas to relax(or feel tired) in short time, so I can have more time to sleep?

THanks

I too suffer from insomnia, and I do read on the bed. I usually stop reading thrillers or excitingly interesting read before half and hour of my scheduled time of sleep. Then I switch my reading to something 'heavy', less interesting or exciting, like history, archaeology, biographies or physics (or any other article something boring ). This helps me calm down, feel more detached and I get an easy sleep.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Smartie

I usually read on the bed before sleep, but what I found is after reading, I am getting excited. I am not talking some serious books that trigger brain thinking. I am talking about some fictional book such as "anna karenina", so after read, it takes me quite a long time before fall sleep. Anyone has some good suggestions/ideas to relax(or feel tired) in short time, so I can have more time to sleep?

THanks

Warm milk and cookies is traditional.

[silverraven]

Originally Posted by drjd

I too suffer from insomnia, and I do read on the bed. I usually stop reading thrillers or excitingly interesting read before half and hour of my scheduled time of sleep. Then I switch my reading to something 'heavy', less interesting or exciting, like history, archaeology, biographies or physics (or any other article something boring ). This helps me calm down, feel more detached and I get an easy sleep.

That is me, except I tend t re-read a book that I know how it ends but is just interesting enough to keep my mind from wandering. In my case it is Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Of course, I also have them in audio on a cheap mp3 player that I pop in my ear at a very low volume to help lull me to sleep. I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of that series! I've got them in paper back (2 copes of some of them) ebook and many in audio.
S

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I often have to wake myself to put my book away...

Same here. Except where you say "often," I'm going to go ahead and say "always."

I suffer from mild insomnia occasionally, but reading always puts me to sleep eventually (quicker than not-reading would, anyway).

[Apache]

I do not suffer from insomnia and always read before going to sleep.
Apache

[HarryT]

There's scarcely been a day since I was a very young child that I've not read in bed prior to going to sleep. I really can't imagine not doing so. For me, reading certainly is relaxation - a way to unwind at the end of the day.

[cvkemp]

Originally Posted by HarryT

There's scarcely been a day since I was a very young child that I've not read in bed prior to going to sleep. I really can't imagine not doing so. For me, reading certainly is relaxation - a way to unwind at the end of the day.

Harry I am with you, reading is my sleeping pill as they say. It relaxes me and allows me to sleep the night through.

[Cinisajoy]

Might I suggest crocheting instead?
Or a different type of book.
Just out of curiosity, what is your preferred genre?