I absolutely love losing myself in a good book. There's nothing quite like getting completely absorbed in a captivating story. But lately, my passion for reading has been causing some serious discomfort. I was finding that the more I read, the more my wrists and neck ached. It was becoming a real problem, threatening to take away my favorite pastime. I knew I had to find a solution if I wanted to keep enjoying my books without the pain.
Last year was a great reading year for me, thanks to the fact that I could listen to audiobooks at work. This reignited my love for physical books, but it also brought new challenges. I noticed that when I was reading physical books, especially thick ones, my wrists and neck would start to hurt after a while. I would try different positions – propping the book up at the base and using my thumb to hold the pages open, or even keeping the book in my lap to read. Nothing seemed to completely alleviate the discomfort. Reading "It," for example, proved to be quite a challenge because of its size and weight! It felt like a full-body workout just to turn the pages sometimes.
I started to dread picking up those hefty tomes, knowing that the pain would inevitably follow. It was frustrating because I didn't want to give up reading, but I also didn't want to keep putting my body through that kind of strain. That's when I started exploring different strategies and tools to make my reading experience more comfortable and enjoyable.
The first thing I tried was switching to an e-reader. And honestly, it was a game-changer. It's lightweight and I can adjust the font size to reduce eye strain. This was especially helpful with larger books that were physically difficult to manage. I also experimented with different reading positions. Lying on my back and letting the book drop on my face became a humorous, albeit unintentional, method of staying awake during late-night reading sessions! (Although, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.)
I also realized that proper lighting was crucial. Straining to read in dim light was definitely contributing to my neck and eye strain. That's when I started looking into reading glasses. I came across Photochromic TR90 Reading Glasses at Mozaer. They have blue light blocking and photochromic lenses, which protect my eyes from screen glare and adjust to different lighting conditions.
I decided to give the Photochromic TR90 Reading Glasses a try. I was impressed by how lightweight they felt. The square frame is stylish, and the blue light blocking feature makes a noticeable difference when I'm reading on my tablet or phone. I also appreciate that they're photochromic, so they darken automatically when I'm outside, which is great for reading on the porch. They've really helped to reduce eye strain and make my reading experience much more comfortable. I noticed I wasn't squinting or tilting my head as much, which in turn reduced the tension in my neck and shoulders.
Through my experiences, I've gathered some practical tips that have significantly improved my reading comfort. Here's what I've learned:
Each reading method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here's a quick breakdown:
Reading should be a joyful and relaxing experience, not a source of pain and discomfort. By making a few adjustments to your reading habits and investing in the right tools, you can enjoy your favorite books without sacrificing your physical well-being. I encourage you to experiment with different solutions and find what works best for you. And remember, taking breaks and prioritizing your posture are key to preventing long-term issues.