THE PERKS OF READING OUTSIDE & WHY DON’T WE DO IT MORE? | + INTRODUCING “BOOK CHATS”!

Hey guys, today I’m coming at you with a new feature for my blog. I don’t know if it will be a regular thing but I was hit with some writing inspiration today so I thought I’d take advantage of it. 

For the Booktube-a-thon this year one of the challenges was to read a book outside, and at first I was absolutely and completely nervous, of all things. I really wanted to do well for the readathon and thought this challenge would be my downfall. Turns out if was the easiest challenge and I enjoyed it so much more than I has assumed I would. So today I’m going to talk to you guys about my sudden change of heart and why I now really enjoy reading outside.

EVIDENCE I ACTUALLY DO READ OUTSIDE FEAT. MY DOG

We’re readers, we’re known for being able to read anywhere at any time, we read while we walk, we read while we eat and someday we will probably master reading while we sleep. Though, for some reason we have an aversion to reading outside, we just sort of refuse to do it. But, why? It’s kind of stupid when you think about it, and that’s something I’ve actually been doing a lot of lately. Why do we not like reading outside? Is it because of the sun? Is it because we’re afraid we’ll be less productive if we’re outside?

Well, like I said, I’ve recently been thinking about this a lot and I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re all a bit too attached to our homes. I don’t want to sound preachy in this post, I mean it’s not like I’m going to cafes every weekend and reading while drinking coffee, or having a reading picnic at the park. I am literally in my backyard with my dog, that’s it. And, I love it. Mind, you I live in Australia so it gets pretty hot pretty fast so I’m only out there for half hour blocks at a time, but so far it’s been great.

01 – It’s  Wayyy Easier to Breathe Out There

I know this may sound weird or even cliché, but when I’m outside I find it a lot easier to actually breathe. My house is really stuffy so going outside is literally a breathe of fresh air. I just go outside, sit in my little chair with a water bottle (and sunscreen because I actually enjoy being pale as paper) and of course, my sunglasses on. It’s also just another excuse for me to hang out with my dog.

 

02 – It’s Just Nice, Also You Don’t Actually Have to Be Out There for A Long Time

I live in a pretty noisy home environment – my brothers never stop talking (or they have their devices up to full volume) and I live next to a main road in my Suburb, naturally it’s pretty loud whatever I do. But, I’ve found that even though the road near my house is pretty loud, it’s nowhere near as distracting as it is inside my house.

So, a plus for reading outside, for me at least it’s majorly quieter. I’ve found that reading in a quieter environment is not only more peaceful but it does wonders for headaches, if you’re in a noisy area and you’re trying to read your brain is basically doing double time trying to get that book done.

Also, I don’t think that it’s that hard to find a comfortable place to read. You’ve found a quiet spot, now you just need to find a comfortable area. Whether that be at the park or in your backyard.

 

In terms of how I read, I just sit out in my backyard in a semi shady spot (because it’s actually Winter over here and the wind will kill) with a reclining chair (depending how bad my back pain is) and I’m all set!

Also, I just want to mention here that you don’t even need to be outside for that long. I’m usually only out there for half an hour at a time, and I may even take a break after 5 minutes and decide to play with my dog instead. The whole point is to take a break and get outside.

03 – It’s Good For You

My third and probably most important point that I want to make with this post is that reading outside is good for you. 1 you’re reading 2 you’re getting some vitamin d.

No matter whether you’re in your backyard or literally sitting on your balcony because people in apartments exist to, you will be getting vitamin d. I saw a statistic the other day that was talking about how something like 0% of America is actually Vitamin D deficient, and while I wasn’t really shocked by it the stat still made me sad. Come on guys, the sun is right there waiting for you. By going outside you;re doing yourself a favour.

 

04 – It Will Make You Happier

I always feel a whole lot better when I’m outside compared to when I’m inside, where its stuffy and loud. I also feel like outside I’m free from so many distractions, I don’t have all my stuff out there so what I can do is pretty limited, and I feel a whole lot more centered, I’m outside for a reason. I also usually give myself a goal because that the type of person I am, if I’m working I give myself a word goal or tell myself I have to completely outline a blog post. Whereas, with reading I just give myself a chapter goal.

I also feel more creative when I’m out of the house, I think of a lot of my blog ideas when I’m in the car or when I’m on the bus to school. I also wrote the majority of this post outside because I was hit with a sudden inspiration and absolutely had to write the post or I would’ve been thinking about it all day. Who needs shower thoughts when you can just go outside for half an hour?

Also, just a point to make for all the people who like to multitask. You can still read outside and get stuff done, seriously it’s not as hard as it sounds. Just grab an audiobook and take your dog for a walk.

Do you like reading outside? What would inspire you to read outside?

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