We have a fun contributed post today about relaxation with books. Don’t forget to curl up with a cat.
People who love to read can sit down with a book and forget all about the outside world for hours and hours. It isn’t until a distraction occurs that an avid reader realizes that he or she has been reading for hours on end. This is why the majority of readers choose to partake in their favorite activities when they know that they have quite a bit of time at their disposal. The use of book scented candles and even peaceful background music can help to set the mood for an afternoon or evening of quiet book reading fun. Here are five ways to create an environment that is perfect for hours of undisturbed recreational reading.
1. Super Comfortable Clothes
Do you have a favorite robe that you like to put on just before opening up a newly acquired hardcover book? Do you store a pair of extra comfortable, worn down fuzzy slippers right next to your reading chair? If so, you aren’t the only person who has a favorite sweatshirt or pair of knee socks that they slip into prior to picking up a book. In fact, wearing clothes that make you feel relaxed can help you enjoy a piece of literature even more.
2. Relaxing with a Hot Beverage
If you are going to be sitting in the same spot for a few hours, you need to have some form of subsistence. Some readers like to snack as they turn the page while others thoroughly enjoy having a hot mug of cocoa, tea or coffee on hand. Drinking warm beverages as you read is soothing and can also provide a much-needed break for tiring eyes. Try keeping your warm beverages in a cup that has a lid so that they stay toasty warm for longer.
3. Lots of Light
You can read under the light of a lamp, by the window if there’s enough sunlight, or even by candle. To ensure that you have as much light as possible, consider using a penlight, flashlight, or some other implement that will make it easier for you to read your book of choice.
4. Make the Room Fragrant
What’s more relaxing than breathing in the scent of peppermint, cedar, lilac or even vanilla as you read a book you’ve been waiting to get into for days? Light a few scented candles just before you prepare for your next reading marathon. Every time you breathe in deeply, you’ll be hit with the scent of relaxation.
5. Instrumental Background Music
It’s a proven fact that the human voice, whether in the form of talking, rapping, singing, or reciting poetry, is distracting. While listening to music as you read a book can be really fun at first, it can prove hard to concentrate on the words on the page after a while. Look for music that has no words, such as classical, folk, or even jazz if you want to really absorb what you’re reading.
Those who read regularly often find that no other hobby is as enjoyable. Many reading fans complain that they can’t find enough time to read for leisure purposes. Make the most of what time you do have when you read by setting the mood and getting extra cozy.
Growing up I didn’t like reading. Not sure why. Maybe because I associated it with school. It wasn’t only after graduating college that I learned how relaxing reading was. You get to get away from everything for a few minutes or hours.
Emma Lymn recently posted…20 Surprising Benefits of Sleep [Infographic]
Nice tips! Ironically, I read a on commercial breaks while watching television or while working out on the elliptical at the gym. I tune out voices until what I’m watching resumes. Crazy, I know but sometimes it’s the only way I can squeeze in reading time. Hot tea and hot chocolate are my two favorite beverages to have while reading. Happy reading free of distractions!