Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits--to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life

by Gretchen Rubin

Going to bed demands a real burst of psychic and physical energy. When I’m too tired to switch gears, and I can’t face the thought of washing my face, I delay going to bed.

Many people love to read before bed, and it's a great, regular habit for them. I find, however, that I'm usually just too tired to read more than a page or two. If you find that it's tough to read at the end of the day, try to create the habit of reading regularly at a different point of the day: in the morning, during an afternoon break, during a commute, after dinner. Some people think they "should" read before bed, but there's no right time or wrong time, only what suits you.