The holidays are meant to be happy times filled with laughter, but let’s be honest, they can also be exhausting and stressful. There are all of those shopping lists, social events, and let’s not forget about those endless to-dos. Our brains often feel like they’re tangled up in fairy lights with that one light that either isn’t working or flashing constantly. But take a deep breath, we’ve got you covered!

It’s time to bring back that wonderful nightly ritual of going to bed with a great book. It really doesn’t matter if you’re curling up with a breathtaking romance or escaping into a world of fantasy, taking a few quiet moments with a book before bed is the ideal way to untangle the day's stresses and give our brains a break. Reading isn’t just a relaxing hobby; it’s one of the simplest, most effective ways to take away that holiday stress, get a better night’s sleep, and bring back a bit of peace and quiet.

If you’re ready to unwind, you just have to take a peek at our Adult Book Boxes! They are the perfect place to start. Each box pairs a beautifully chosen story with surprise gifts that make every chapter come to life. Yes, every nightly ritual should feel a little magical.

The Science Behind Reading and Relaxation

We like to do the research, and believe it or not, there’s real science behind the feeling of calm that tends to wash over you when you start turning the pages. Studies have shown that reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%, which is even more than listening to music or going for a walk. When we read, our heart rate slows, our muscles relax, and for once, the day’s worries and stresses take a backseat. It’s like giving your brain a mini vacation, one page at a time.

And when bedtime reading becomes a habit, your body gets the message that it’s time to slow down. According to the Sleep Foundation (2025), reading before bed can create a mental boundary between daytime activity and nighttime rest, allowing the brain to transition smoothly into sleep. In other words, that chapter you promise yourself before turning out the light isn’t just a luxury, it’s part of your wellness routine.

How Reading Before Bed Helps During the Holidays

Creates a Calming Nightly Ritual

 

The holidays can be chaotic, but routines are your secret power to keeping the peace. Set aside 15–30 minutes each night to read and make it part of your self-care ritual: slip into pajamas, brew a cup of tea in our Magic Halloween 2024 Teacup Set, and let the world fade away. 

Reduces Screen Time and Mental Overload

Let’s be honest, holiday scrolling is real. Between online shopping, social updates, and last-minute emails, screens seem to be stuck in our palms 24/7. The problem with that is the constant blue light tricks our brains into thinking it’s still daytime, which delays melatonin production and makes it harder to fall asleep. 

Swapping your phone for a physical book is just the signal your brain needs that it’s time to power down. Even ten pages of reading under soft lighting can quieten your mind more effectively than another “just one more episode” moment.

Take a break and check out our fantastic July 2025 box, “Against All Odds”, featuring The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel, PLUS four beautifully wrapped gifts that bring this stunning novel to life!

Promotes Mindful Escape from Holiday Stress

During the holidays, we’re surrounded by reminders of what we “should” be doing. If you’re like us, you get caught up in the perfection trap: perfect gifts, perfect meals, perfect everything. But books offer us an escape. We can slip into mysteries that keep us guessing, a love story that makes us swoon, or a fantasy world where the only thing on your list is adventure. 

If you’re looking for the perfect adventure to kick off your new routine, we think you will love our October 2024 book box, “A Medieval Adventure”, which features This Will be Fun by E.B. Asher and our world-famous surprise gifts!

 

Improves Sleep Quality

It’s no secret that sleep can get put on the back burner during the festive rush. Reading before bed helps lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and promotes relaxation, leading to deeper and more restorative rest. When your brain associates bedtime with calm reading instead of endless planning, it learns to let go of tension more easily. 

Keep a book beside your bed and make it part of your wind-down routine. We love making things that extra bit more special, so why not pair it with a cozy drink in our Medieval Adventure Glass Mug Set for that extra dose of comfort? The more consistent your ritual, the better your sleep will be.

Encourages Gratitude and Reflection

Reading stories about perseverance, kindness, or connection can help put life into perspective, especially when the holidays feel overwhelming. It’s a moment to pause and appreciate what’s good in your own story. Keep one of our Reading Journals nearby to jot down your thoughts or favorite quotes. 

PS: These reading journals make fabulous gifts for your bookish bestie!

 

How to Build a Bedtime Reading Routine This Season

We often want to start with a big bang! But we have found that starting small is the best way to go. Choose one book that captures you and aim for ten minutes a night. Create just the right reading environment: we’re thinking warm blankets, soft lights, and your favorite hot drink. You can even add a candle or diffuser with calming scents like lavender or cedarwood to complete the moment.

Next, set boundaries with technology. We know it’s a tough one, but once you get into it, you will definitely thank your future self! Try setting your phone aside 30 minutes before bed. Replace scrolling with reading time and notice how much more rested and focused you feel. 

For an extra layer of magic, subscribe to our Adult Book Box and unwrap gifts that connect directly to the story you’re reading. It’s a creative way to keep reading exciting while reinforcing your nightly relaxation ritual. And who doesn’t love getting surprises?

You can always up the ante by choosing books that reflect the season’s themes—connection, kindness, or self-discovery. Light romances, heartwarming tales, or cozy mysteries all pair beautifully with a cup of cocoa and a soft blanket. Remember, this isn’t about how many pages you finish; it’s about the calm that follows when you make time for yourself amid the holiday bustle.

 

From Chaos to Calm: Ending the Day with a Good Book

When the holidays get hectic, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple pleasures that make the season special. Reading before bed is a small act with a big impact! It is a moment of quiet amid the noise, a chance to center yourself before tomorrow’s to-do list begins. 

It’s time to take a deep breath, open a book, and let the words do their work. The stress will melt away, sleep will come easier, and you’ll wake up feeling refreshed, grounded, and ready to enjoy the holidays as they were meant to be: joyful, peaceful, and filled with stories worth remembering.

Not sure where to get started? We think you will love these book boxes packed with our famous Once Upon a Book Club magic!

If you still need convincing, check out our blog, Nurturing the Soul: A Journey into Mindful Reading for Holiday Stress Relief and Self-Care!

 

Sources

Folk, J. (n.d.). Reading for 6 minutes reduces stress by 68 percent. AnxietyCentre. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from https://www.anxietycentre.com/research/reading-reduces-stress-by-68-percent

Sleep Foundation. (2025, June 3). Reading before bed. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/reading-before-bed