Has Harry Potter fever hit your household? With the final book in the amazing series due on Saturday, there will be a lot of people around the world spending the weekend reading. I must confess… I’ll be one of them.
Aside from (maybe) a nasty paper cut, reading isn’t generally a dangerous hobby. However, if you’re planning to curl up on the couch and read all weekend, there are a few health tips to keep in mind:
- Think of your read-a-thon like it’s a long car ride or flight. Sitting still for long periods of time can affect your circulation. It’s a good idea to get up and move around every few hours. Do some gentle stretches, walk around the block, walk the dog, or anything that gets the blood flowing! And while you’re reading, be sure to change positions every half hour or so.
- Those Harry Potter hardcovers can be pretty hefty — so be careful of your wrists. Rest the book in your lap or on the table if you’re sitting in a chair. Prop the book up on a pillow if you’re reading in bed.
- Like to snack while you read? I do. Try to pick healthy snacks like fresh fruits and veggies, instead of junky chips and candy. Those Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans might be what the Hogwarts kids are eating, but they’re not always a good choice for your read-a-thon. You can always cut veggie sticks on Friday while you’re waiting for midnight and the book release! And my new favorite snack this summer is frozen fruit — you can bag servings of your favorite fruits (I like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and kiwi) and stick them in the freezer to chill. Healthy, refreshing, and delicious!
- Be sure you have enough light. Reading in the dark isn’t going to ruin your vision, but if you strain your eyes to read, you aren’t going to enjoy the book.
- Don’t forget to sleep. It may be tempting to read the book straight through without stopping… but your body (and brain) are going to need some sleep. Your poor brain won’t be able to make much sense of the story if you’re overtired.