Stand and Read

In my last blog (sorry for the long absence) I pointed out the health, mental health, and social benefits of reading, especially fiction. But there was a conundrum: According to “Harvard Women’s Health Watch” sitting is harmful to health. It is ‘the new smoking.’ This month, “Harvard Women’s Health Watch” answers a reader’s question about the conflict between sitting (bad) and reading (good.)

The suggestions from the women’s health newsletter include 1) setting a timer to get up from your chair after an hour or so. Walk around, do a chore. 2) If the book is too good to lay aside, do a half hour to an hour of physical exercise some other time of the day. 3) Read audio books so that you can enjoy a story and exercise at the same time.

I have seen this done, but I do not recommend: Reading a book while walking. I even tried this once upon a time when I was a college student with lots of reading to accomplish. I found it too distracting to read and walk while keeping watch for cracks in the sidewalks, curbs, intersections, and other people, not to mention yucky stuff to step on like gum and dog droppings.

Happy and healthy reading! If you’d like some titles of ‘therapeutic reading’ recommended in my last blog, please let me know. Send a comment.