HEALTHY HABITS◽ YOU
Words On a Page
by Marcy Lytle
Listening to audible books has become my pastime in the past few months, something I’ve never done before, as I always preferred to hold an actual book. But since my house is so silent now, I like having the books being read aloud as move about and listen and become engrossed in the story. And this made me think how reading is a healthy activity! And there are so many good and varied options for reading that enhance our well-being!
Holding a Book – For those of you that enjoy actually holding a book, I get it. I actually prefer that. There’s something about feeling the pages and smelling the scent of the paper, and even adoring how the book looks on top of other books, on our shelves. I think we are made to use our sense of touch for so many wonderful things, and touch a book is one of them. It calms and soothes, before we ever read a page…
Listening out loud – I’m a newbie at finding the joy in audibly listening and being read to. This activity honestly has soothed my soul and kept me sane, while in my house alone, at all times of the day. While I’m doing mundane chores, I listen. When I drive, I listen. And if it’s a good story I feel so glad that I heard the words lifted off the pages, by the end of the last chapter.
Magazines - I still receive a few magazines in the mail, and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy taking a few in my car or on a trip, to thumb through and find recipes, stories and ideas with lots of great photos to go with. We can read them online, for sure (after all, you’re reading one now!). But we can also subscribe and get them delivered, which is a joy in and of itself. And that makes the heart sing.
Cookbooks – Have you ever sat down and actually read a cookbook? There are so many that have great stories to go with the recipes, or lots of extras and hints when it comes to cooking. If you love cookbooks, I bet you can agree that it’s healthy to have a stack. Browsing for a great dinner for family or guests or kids is healthy, because it’s satisfying and creative…to put together a meal from a book we’ve just read!
The Bible – I read the bible as a kid to mark off a checklist in hopes that God would be pleased with me. Not healthy. But as an adult now, I search for a topic, or choose a book, and I read and look up commentaries, and I pray before I read for God to highlight what he’s saying about his character and mine, as my heart and mind are encouraged with truth. The healthiest read, for sure!
Calendars and Lists – Some may find this stressful, but I find it so helpful. Filling in calendars and then reading them makes me feel alive – having things and events and people to look forward to. And lists – I have so many that I make each week. Writing down creative thoughts, things I need to accomplish, or friends’ birthdays – any sort of list at all – organizes my brain. And that’s healthy! It gets the swirling thoughts down on paper or in my notes or calendar, and then I can read at my leisure to see what I need to do.
Social Media – Some will say it’s not healthy to scroll social media, and it’s not, if we do it mindlessly and become anxious with what we read. But if we have some “healthy” accounts that are encouraging or creative, and we read new ideas or stories of those who’ve struggled and kept the faith, or poems and sayings that brighten our days, then that’s a great thing and oh, so healthy. And besides that, we learn discipline when we read and leave, and not hang out on social media all day.
What do you love to read? Have you ever realized that it’s a healthy thing to do? My goodness, reading is part of a healthy life diet…don’t ya think?