By: Matthias C.
Do not read when you are lying down. The lying down posture is clearly not
the best position to read. It is a very common thing for a person to flop down
on the bed with a book and read it while lying down. In fact, many people
make it a habit to read for a few minutes before going to sleep. Let us say it
once and for all; it is not good to read while you are lying down.
You need a well-lit room to read. The lighting of your room too is very
important. A properly lighted room is what is required if you want to read,
do needle work or any other such fine activity. Again too much light is just
as bad as a dimly lit room for your headache .
The source of light must preferably be behind your head. The source of light
should not come in front of your eyes but must be behind your head. This is
also true in the case of a computer as well. The source of light should be
from behind.
Do not hold the book too close to your eyes. This is some thing that happens
when you lei down to read. The book tends to move closer to your eyes than
intended. This is something that is bad for your eyes and for your Headache.
Your eye muscles have to strain a lot in order to focus on nearer objects.
The book should ideally be
at the level of your chest.
Do not hold it too far away either. Holding the book too far away is just as
bad as holding the book too close. Remember to keep it at chest level.
Many bookstores have reading stands that will enable you to keep your book
position at the right level.
If you find it difficult to read, get your eyes tested by an oculist. If you find
yourself squinting or your eyes watering while you read or do any fine work,
then you might need glasses. So do not waste time, consult a doctor at the
earliest time possible. Faulty vision is a major cause of headaches.
Be careful of the print size of the book you are reading. If the print of the
book is too faint, or if the font size is too small, just toss away the book.
Most libraries have large-print versions of books. If this is not available, use
a magnifying glass or wear magnifying glasses.
Do not read in moving vehicles. Many people try to read while traveling by
car to kill time. However, curves and bumps in the road can cause
headaches and even motion sickness.
No matter how smooth the road is and no matter how good the shock
absorbers of the car are, there is bound to be jerking motions. This will force
your eyes to adjust and readjust to the print and this continuous adjustment
and readjustment is very bad for your eyes. At the end of the journey you are
bound to end up with a headache.
The light from your T.V or P.C monitor is not enough to read. Some people
tend to read in the light that comes from a turned on television set or a
computer. This light is not enough for your eyes to pick out what is printed,
and should be combined with lamplight or overhead light.
