If you’re an avid reader (like me!), you likely often spend hours at a time engrossed in reading books. But with all this time spent reading comes the question: are we reading in a position that is healthy for our bodies? And what is the best reading position anyway?
The best posture for reading isn’t something most of us think about that often, and it’s something we all could likely benefit from paying more attention to. So let’s discuss what good posture for reading looks like and what we can do to improve our reading posture!
What is the Best Reading Position?
When looking for the best reading positions, it’s important to consider research on ways to reduce stress and strain on joints, eyes, back, neck, etc. However, it’s also important to note that each of us are different and the most comfortable position to read for you may be different than for someone else.
Ultimately, the best position to read in should be one that is comfortable for you. But it’s also important to note that some reading positions are better at eliminating discomfort and health issues in the long-term…so making a few modifications to your reading positions today could help your body’s comfort over the long-term (instead of just focusing on comfort in the moment).
So what is the best posture to read a book? According to research, the best position to read books would be to sit in a chair with your back straight, feet planted on the ground firmly, knees bent at a 90 degree angle, and your neck only slightly tilted forward, as shown in the diagram below:
Sitting at a desk is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this reading posture. As you can see, it’s important to remain with your back upright and not hunched over the book, which usually means holding the book in your hands or placing it on an elevated angled surface, like on a book stand or book holder pillow.
This position prevents unnecessary strain and stress on your joints and muscles and still allows for good blood flow, so this would be the ideal position for reading (especially if reading for a long time). However, for those of us reading for fun, it’s unlikely that we’ll always use or be comfortable in this “ideal” position.
So what should we do? Well, let’s check out some other favorite reading positions to discover what other options you have or ways to modify your favorite reading positions to make them better for you!
Best Position to Read a Book In Bed
If we’re being honest, many of us find ourselves reading in bed. It’s a cozy spot, and especially perfect if reading before falling asleep! So what is the best way to read in bed?
Similarly to reading while sitting in a chair, the best reading position in bed (ergonomically speaking) would be vertical, so sitting upright while reading. Which for those of us (like me!) who prefer to read while completely laying down or on their sides might be…a bit of an adjustment.
To help with comfort in staying vertical while reading in bed, and to help support your back ergonomically in this position, I recommend getting a reading pillow (also called a husband pillow or bed rest pillow). These pillows provide support arms on the sides as well as lots of cushion for the back and neck, so you may just find reading with a reading pillow in bed becomes your new favorite way to read!
This reading pillow is a great choice, as it has higher back support than most and also allows you to adjust the filling level in the pillow in case you need it firmer or softer in some places than the default. It also has a movable neck support pillow and a pocket for storing small items, which are definite bonuses.
But besides sitting vertically upright, you’ll also want your legs relaxed straight in front of you and will want to make sure you hold your book so that you don’t need to lean your neck forward. If you find yourself wanting to read in bed often, though, you might find your arms get tired of holding your book in an ergonomic position. So getting a book holder for reading in bed could be a good investment.
Best Posture to Read a Book at a Desk
What is the proper posture to read a book at a desk? As covered earlier, reading a book at a desk is one of the most ergonomic positions and is possibly the best position to read a book.
You’ll want to sit upright with your back straight, your feet planted on the ground, knees bent at a 90 degree angle, and your neck only slightly forward. While this may not be your usual go-to for comfortable reading positions, it’s likely you’d find this to be one of the most comfortable reading positions if you’re reading for a long time.
Good Reading Positions for Reading in a Chair
When looking for comfortable positions to read a book, reading in a comfy chair or on the couch definitely shouldn’t be left off the list!
The best way to sit while reading on the couch or a chair is also in the vertical position, with your knees at a 90 degree angle and your feet planted on the floor. However, if you’re on a couch you could also use a reading pillow propped against an armrest and sit upright with your back against the pillow and feet relaxed in front of you on the couch. This is one of my favorite reading positions, as it’s a good compromise between comfortable and ergonomic.
Best Position for Reading a Book FAQ
Have more questions about the best book reading positions? Check out these frequently asked questions. If you don’t see your question answered here, feel free to ask questions in the comments!
1. Is it better to read sitting or lying down?
Another question you might be asking yourself is whether it is better to read sitting or lying down. As mentioned above, if you’re going for pure ergonomic, research-backed “ideal” position then that would be sitting upright in a chair. That’s the ideal, correct posture to read a book.
However, your comfort also should come into play when decided the best reading posture for you. While it’s important to keep your body’s health in mind, it’s also important to enjoy reading. Which doesn’t always equate to sitting in the “optimal” position.
While lying down isn’t the most highly recommended reading position for back and neck strain, if you’re reading for a shorter time or purely for your own enjoyment (instead of studying, working, etc.) then you should be able to enjoy reading in a position that is comfortable to you. While it’s good to keep good posture in mind, don’t let that stop you from the occasional reading session while lying down if that is something you enjoy!
2. What is the most comfortable position to read in?
If you’re reading for several hours, it’s likely you’ll find the most “comfortable” position to be the one that places less strain on your muscles and joints. Which is why the upright seated position is recommended as the best for reading.
However, the most comfortable position to read in can also vary from person to person. Sometimes, the most comfortable position is one that isn’t really at all ergonomic (for instance, sometimes I love reading while sitting in an armchair with my legs over the side of one of the arms. Not at all ergonomic, but sometimes it’s super comfortable!).
The best advice I can give is to pay attention to your body. It’s okay if occasionally you read in a position that isn’t the “correct” or most ergonomic reading position. You don’t always have to follow the best sitting position for reading.
In fact, it’s also okay to adjust your position while reading and do what feels best for your body in the moment…you don’t have to sit frozen with your back upright and your legs firmly planted on the ground and knees bent 90 degrees. We’re not robots.
So use some common sense, pay attention to what your body is telling you, try for more ergonomic positions when you can, but ultimately just enjoy reading…because that’s what it’s all about!
3. What are the best positions for reading longer hours?
When reading for longer hours, you’ll likely find the most comfort for your joints and muscles when you sit in more ergonomic positions. So sitting in a chair upright as mentioned earlier in the article, or sitting with good back support on a bed will likely be your best options.
Keep in mind that the best reading position for necks is especially important, as it’s easy for neck posture to be sore and for neck and back pain to cause lots of issues. So be sure you’re holding your book at a good position for your neck to not be hunched over, or use a book stand or book holder pillow if your arms are tired.
4. How do I read a book ergonomically on a table?
When reading a book ergonomically on a table, you’re going to want to have posture similar to when reading at a desk.
This means sitting upright in your chair according to the guidelines mentioned earlier in this article, and also making sure you’re holding the book at a good angle so your neck is in a good position and your eyes aren’t strained. For long reading sessions at tables, you may want to consider a book stand or book holder pillow for ease of use and ease in maintaining your ergonomic position for longer periods of time.
5. What is the best posture for reading on phones, tablets, or Kindles?
Many of us are now reading books on our phones, tablets, or Kindles, so it’s important to remember good posture when using these devices and not just when reading physical books.
The best posture for reading on phones, tablets, and Kindles is the same as when reading a physical book. You’ll want to make sure your back is upright and the devices are at a good level to keep your neck from tilting too far forward. Be sure to keep your devices at a good distance from your eyes as well (not too close or too far).
6. What is the healthiest reading position?
As mentioned several times throughout this article, the healthiest reading position or the best book reading posture is sitting in a chair with your back upright, both feet on the ground, knees bent at a 90 degree angle, and your neck only slightly tilted forward.
This is the position supported by research to put the least stress and strain on your joints, muscles, eyes, etc. So that makes it the healthiest reading position!