What Can a 15-Minute Reading Break do for Your General Health
The easiest, cheapest, and maybe most enjoyable mini-vacation available to everyone
The right vacation can be just what we need in this super-charged life we all lead. But most of us don’t have the time or resources to benefit from a tranquil and beautiful vacation destination. But that doesn’t mean we can’t let our minds travel freely and often.
Think of all the little pockets of time throughout the day when you can grasp this opportunity. You can enjoy a physical copy, digital copy, or audio file of our selected reading material.
The best time to read depends on your preferences and schedule. However, here are a few suggestions:
- In the morning: Many people find that reading in the morning helps them start their day on a positive note, and can set a productive tone for the rest of the day. Just 15 minutes can relax and adjust your mindset for the day's activities.
- During your commute: If you use public transportation, reading during your commute can be a great way to make the most of your time and ease into or out of the workday.
- During lunch or other breaks: Reading is a solitary and quiet pastime. Taking a break to read during your lunch hour or other breaks can be a good way to relax and recharge for the rest of the day.
- Before bed: Reading before bed can help you wind down and improve the quality of your sleep.
Reading in 15-minute segments on these 4 occasions throughout the day will give you 1 hour of reading time. What can that do for you? On average, an adult can read between 200 and 400 words per minute. Therefore, in an hour, an adult can read between 12,000 and 24,000 words. That’s the word count for many short stories, novellas, and a good start to a longer novel. And just think of the adventures you might have experienced during that time!
Ultimately, the best time to read is whenever you can make it a consistent habit. Find a time that works for you and stick to it.
What can taking a reading break do for your general health
It can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, improve mental focus and concentration, reduce eyestrain and headaches, and enhance overall cognitive function. Taking a break to engage in a leisure activity like reading can help promote a healthy work-life balance, which is important for long-term well-being.
What is the best type of reading material for relaxation
- Fiction: Novels or short stories that are easy to read, with engaging characters and storylines.
- Self-help books: Self-help books that focus on relaxation techniques, meditation, or mindfulness can be helpful in promoting a sense of calm.
- Inspirational books: Books that inspire and motivate, such as biographies, memoirs, or books on personal development, can be relaxing and uplifting.
- Poetry: Poetry can be a great way to unwind and reflect, and can be particularly soothing when read out loud.
- Magazines or articles: Reading articles or magazines on hobbies or interests that you enjoy can help you relax and unwind.
Ultimately, the best type of reading material for relaxation is one that you find enjoyable, engaging, and easy to read.
Summary: Reading can help to reduce stress by providing a distraction from daily worries and problems. This can help to lower heart rate and decrease muscle tension. It can reduce anxiety by allowing us to escape from our own thoughts and worries, and instead focus on the thoughts and feelings of the characters in a book. Reading can enhance mental function by improving cognitive abilities such as memory, focus, and attention. This can help us feel more in control and less stressed.
All great reasons to read!
About the Creator
Lynda Coker
Grab a chair, turn a page, and read a while with me. I promise to tap lightly on my keyboard so we both can stay immersed in our world of words.
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