Books are an important means of transmitting culture and information, they are fundamental elements in our educational process. What's more, for many people reading a book is also a moment of relaxation and leisure.

23 April is World Book Day and this date reminds us that reading habits require taking care of our vision and body posture in order to make these moments comfortable and enjoyable.

What is the best reading position? 

According to ergonomic principles, the best reading position is to sit in a chair with your back straight and your neck slightly tilted forwards. The feet should be placed firmly on the floor and the knees should be bent at a 90º angle. 

In this posture we'll be able to read our favourite books without putting unnecessary strain on our joints, back and neck muscles, as well as ensuring good blood flow throughout the body. 

What's the best position for reading a book in bed? 

Even though we know what the ideal position should be, the truth is that we don't always do it and, in fact, reading in bed is probably much more common than we'd like to admit. 

The dangers of reading in bed 

• • Excessive tension in the eye muscles: When reading in bed, lying down, we force our eyes to focus at an awkward angle, which can lead to headaches and/or eye fatigue. 
  • Increased strain on the eyes caused by dimmer light: Our rooms usually have diffused, dim light. This means that we have to read in low light, which puts extra strain on the visual system, leading to eye fatigue and possible headaches. 
  • Incorrect posture: Finding the best posture for reading in bed is quite difficult if we take into account the aforementioned ideal position. Reading in bed puts more strain on your neck and back muscles, which can lead to persistent and very uncomfortable pain. 

 The right way to read in bed 

Although there really is no "right way" to read in bed, there are some recommendations that we can follow to try to minimise the negative aspects mentioned. 

Firstly, since the ideal reading position is as upright as possible, in bed we should get into the habit of reading leaning against the headboard with our back resting on a large pillow or a set of pillows. 

On the other hand, the legs should be stretched out and in a relaxed position, avoiding crossing them, as this promotes poor circulation and the appearance of numbness.

Another consideration is the position in which we hold the book. Ideally, the neck should be straight, not tilted forwards, and the eyes should also focus at a gentle downward angle. Putting the book on your legs is not ideal, as it will force a very pronounced curve of the neck and an awkward angle of the eyes.

Apart from these recommendations, what we should really avoid is reading lying on your side or on your stomach. Both positions may seem comfortable, but they put a heavy strain on your eyes, muscles and joints. 

Last but not least, don't forget to visit a specialist regularly for preventive examinations and to screen for any eye problems.

Discover our lens solutions for reading: Prooptica Solution Lenses.

Let's keep our visual health up to date and read our books comfortably and enjoyably!