Why I started reading every day

I love to read.  Since I was a little girl, I have always enjoyed getting lost in a good novel.  It relaxes my mind.  Books make me laugh, cry and dream about bigger things.

In the last year and a half since my daughter was born, I have barely read any books.  Taking care of an active toddler takes up most of my time.  I like to spend time with my husband, family and friends.  I was also very busy during the last year and a half getting my ACE group fitness certification and doing coursework for my Health Coach Program through IIN.  Over the last few months, any free time has been spent blogging, working with clients, planning workshops and/or building my business.  It’s difficult to fit in leisure reading.

I was recently hanging out with my friend Beth and we were talking about novels.  Before I became a mom, Beth and I used to chat about our favorite books all of the time. We would compare notes and excitedly give each other suggestions.  I have had no recommendations for quite a while, as my kindle has been buried in a drawer for many months.  Beth was very excited about a book that she said I had to read.  So, I added it to my kindle account and it joined the other 7 books that I have downloaded and not read over the last year.

I came away from our time together really missing the joy of reading a good book.  It is something that gives me pleasure and helps me relax.  I thought, why shouldn’t I start reading again?

So, I have.  I decided to start reading 10 minutes at night before bed.  It is when I am usually putzing around on facebook or the internet.  I feel that it is time better spent reading a good novel.  In addition to my personal reasons for reading, studies have shown that there are benefits to regular reading, including stress reduction, improved memory and better focus and concentration.

I feel that reading is beneficial to my health.  It makes me happy.  A good book takes me to another place and another time, which is what I sometimes need after my hectic days.  Stress from my day slips away.  So, I have committed to making time for myself to read, even if it is only for 10 minutes a night.

If reading is not your thing, maybe there is another activity that is missing from your life.  What helps you feel like yourself and keeps you happy?  Maybe you can try to incorporate this back in, even if you start with 10 minutes a day like I have.

As for me, I am so excited to be reading my new book.  It’s a great one!  I consider reading before bed to be a form of self-care, since it helps me unwind.  I have always enjoyed getting lost in a great story, and I am grateful that I have found the time to incorporate it into my routine.  This experience has reaffirmed for me the importance of incorporating what we love into our lives, even for just 10 minutes a day.