So, we know that everyone at IWG Books likes to read. We have discussed our favourite books, characters, plot lines and villains; but how about comfort when it comes to enjoying your favourite pastime? No, not the comforting characters or words found in the book itself, what we’re talking about here today are the most comfortable positions that people read in. If you’re like me and can remain with your nose in a book for hours on end, you've got to be comfortable whilst doing so, right?
Here are three of the top ways of ensuring aches and pains does not interrupt your reading time, whether that be with a printed book or eBook on a handheld tablet device.
This may be a safe bet for everyone. A sofa, chair, bed, bench or kitchen worktop if you fancy it. Avoid slouching and leaning too much, and this is probably the easiest position to come across and to adapt to different situations. Recliners are a popular choice, and understandably so, I myself can sit in one for hours with a book, and will not notice half of the afternoon fly by! Also, the choice between legs down, stretched and up on an ottoman, tucked underneath you or crossed makes for variety, and the key to not getting the dreaded reading cramps is to switch your position up every now and then. Another take on this would be sitting down at a table, using elbows and arms as a way to adjust your posture, allowing slouching but without the pain. Perfect!
My personal favourite as most of my reading is indeed bedtime reading, where I am snuggled up in a warm duvet, the electric blanket is on and a cup of camomile tea is on the bedside table. Honestly, I will read in bed (primarily whilst laid on my back) for hours, sometimes not going to sleep until the small early hours of the AM. Mix it up by alternating from back to side to front and neck cramping won’t come into it. The only downside however, is the fact that turning pages whilst laying down in bed may prove a bit annoying, especially if you are holding you book up to your face, or have your arm bent in anticipation whilst laying on a side. Again, change positions regularly to avoid becoming uncomfortable. There’s also the option of popping a pillow on your back and adopting a sitting position under the covers, leaning either your head and neck or your back against a wall or a headboard, which are both equally nice positions for reading either a print book or using an eReader.
This position can be done (within limits, of course) on any flat surface. May that be laden with pillows or slummed-out on a carpeted floor, laying on your belly while using your forearms as supports can be a good position, especially if you are one who needs to be up close to the page to be able to make out the writing on it! Legs can be flat out, ankles can be crossed and raised up in the air. This position makes me think of sunny days at the park, relaxing on a picnic blanket on the grass, wearing sunglasses and eating sandwiches, all of which are a perfect complement to a good read. A disadvantage to this can be lower back ache, especially if your legs lay out on the floor behind you. Pairing this with one if not both of the above positions or their variants would be great to avoid this. Equally, try using an arm as a makeshift pillow if you haven’t got a real one, resting your head on it to relax neck muscles.
There we have it, our top 3 reading positions.
Stay ache-free and read away!