Bookworms know we can always use more time to read…so have you ever considered reading while walking? Perhaps you’re asking can you read while walking or is it good to read while walking?
Some readers love walking while reading and swear by it, while others are convinced it’s not ideal. So if you’re considering reading while going for a walk, here’s everything you need to know to do it safely and successfully!
Is it Possible to Read While Walking?
Yes, it is possible to read while walking…but you may find it takes a bit of practice to get used to it. After all, both reading and walking require using your vision, so it may take you some time to adjust to doing both at the same time.
Also, it’s important to note that some people will have more success with reading while walking along than others. It’s okay if you try it and find it’s not for you! Ultimately, we want you to enjoy your reading and be safe, not simply “making the best use of your time” by walking and reading at the same time if it’s not for you.
But it is possible to read and walk at the same time if you’re willing to put in the effort, so read on to learn how best you can do this!
Why Do People Read While Walking?
You may also be wondering why people read while walking. What makes people think this is a good idea?
Well, reasons can vary between different people, but there are a few common reasons that you may want to consider reading and walking at the same time.
1. Exercise
Reading can be a very sedentary hobby, but as an avid reader myself I know that if I don’t have to I don’t like to give up time that I could be reading! But I also want to be healthy.
Enter the conundrum.
I want to exercise, but I want to read. And reading while walking can help you get the best of both worlds…or at least, be a little less sedentary.
2. Saves Time
Similarly to the above, another of the benefits of reading while walking is that it can save time.
Say, for instance, you only have 30 minutes to an hour before you leave for work in the morning. With limited time, you’re going to have to make decisions about what you want and are able to do. Maybe you want to walk, but you also want to read…and if you do both at the same time, you don’t have to cut one out!
Also, if you would normally walk for 30 minutes and then read for 30 minutes (or whatever time frame you’d normally do these both for), then that is an hour of your life for both tasks…while if you do them simultaneously, then you cut the time you’re spending in half! That means you’d have extra time leftover for other pursuits, hobbies, time with family, or whatever else you need more time for.
So if you’re feeling like you’re going to have to cut something out (reading or walking) or like you want to find a way to make more time for other things you value while not giving up on reading or walking, then saving time could be an excellent motivator to combine the two.
3. Helps with Reading Comprehension and Focus
Some readers find that sitting while reading means their brains are more likely to wander and they’re less likely to be able to focus on what they’re reading, so sometimes walking or pacing while reading can help with comprehension and focus.
It’s kind of similar to those people who always pace while on the phone…like their brains and mouths won’t work for the conversation unless their bodies are moving. Sometimes that happens for readers too!
If your brain works this way or you find yourself feeling fidgety and distracted while reading, then trying walking or pacing while reading a book could be helpful for you!
4. Improves Peripheral Vision
Finally, another popular reason for walking and reading simultaneously is that it can help improve peripheral vision.
Peripheral vision is used to gather information about your surroundings, and helps you sense motion, objects, scenery, etc. around you. It also helps you walk around without running into things, so it’s a pretty important part of our vision.
To read and walk at the same time obviously will require at least some use of peripheral vision so you can focus reading your book and not walking into random objects at the same time. As you practice reading while walking, you’ll likely find your use of peripheral vision improves and is more effective…which will also transfer over to other everyday activities!
How to Read While Walking
Now that we know reading while walking is possible, and why it can be a popular choice among book lovers, let’s talk about how to read while walking! Here’s all the tips and tricks you need for reading while walking outdoors.
1. Practice at Home First
If you plan to read while walking outside, then I highly recommend practicing reading while walking in the comfort and safety of your own home first.
This gives you time to practice without outside stressors and worries, and in a low-risk environment (and one where there’s likely not as many people to laugh at you if you stub your toe on something, like a coffee table, while trying to read and walk at the same time).
2. Experiment With Book Positioning
Next, you’ll want to find the best way to hold a book for reading while walking.
This can vary slightly from person to person, but in general you’ll likely find that it’s easy to read and walk if you hold the book in one hand and position it towards the center of your body but a little below eyesight level.
You don’t want to completely block your face, as then you won’t be able to see potential obstacles in your path! But you also don’t want it to be so low that you’re forced to look down at it and, once again, can’t see upcoming obstacles in your path.
Other than those general tips, it’s your decision which hand you choose to hold the book in (or if two hands works better for you) and you’ll also just need to experiment until you find positioning that works for you. It might not be exactly the same as what works for me, but at least you have a place to start!
You may also discover, as I did, that lighter books are easier to carry and read while walking (Sorry, War and Peace and Gone With The Wind, no walking for you!) The heavier/longer books can be harder to carry (but hey, I guess at least you’d be building muscle?). Additionally, you may find it’s easiest to read while walking if you’re reading on an e-reader since they’re super light and easy to carry (I recommend a glare-free e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite…or the Kindle Oasis if you want buttons for complete one-handed reading)
3. Plan Your Route
Once you feel good about your walking/pacing inside your home, it’s time to take your reading while walking to the next level by moving outdoors. At this point, you’ll want to carefully consider where you plan to read and walk and any potential safety hazards.
Reading while walking along park paths, sidewalks, trails, and other places with few or no obstructions is likely to be your best bet. Additionally, this shouldn’t have to be said, but it’s best to avoid high traffic places where there are tons of cars, pedestrians, and other safety hazards…and obviously, even if you do read somewhere high traffic, you should never read while crossing the road or in any similar hazardous situation where you should have your full focus on walking!
Once you have a good candidate for a nice location to walk while reading, you’re ready to get out and put your new skills to the test!
4. Walk Slowly
However, another tip to keep in mind (at least while just starting out) is to walk slowly while you’re reading.
As you grow in confidence and ability, you can pick up your speed a little, but especially at first you’ll need to be really careful if you’re going to try reading in public. There are lots of moving (and stationary) objects to watch out for, and you don’t want to walk really fast into a lightpost or any other objects 😬 (Ask me how I know…)
So pace yourself and make sure you’re being cautious if you decide to walk and read in public!
5. Stay Alert and Look Up
Lastly, be sure to always stay alert…and remember to always look up!
As readers, sometimes we can get super engrossed in our books, but if you’re reading while walking you’re going to have to balance absorption in your book with safety. Which means remembering to look up every couple of sentences and staying alert (using that peripheral vision!) to make sure hazards don’t catch you unawares.
If you follow these tips and practice, though, you should be able to start reading while walking in no time!
Reading While Walking FAQ
Still have questions about reading while walking? Here are more frequently asked questions to help you out! If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to leave it in a comment below.
1. Can I read while walking?
If you’re wondering if you specifically can read while walking, then that’s something only you can answer. We’re all made differently, and what works for one person might not work for another.
If you’re willing to put in the effort and practice and try out the tips mentioned above, I think it’s likely that anyone can enjoy reading while walking from time to time. But obviously, you know yourself best…and if you find it isn’t working for you, then don’t push it! Reading while walking is at your own risk, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
2. Is it bad to read while walking?
Is reading while walking good or bad? This depends on the person and on the situation.
As mentioned above, there can be lots of benefits to reading while walking (saving time, improving peripheral vision, etc), and it can be a good thing for many people.
That being said, if you find it super challenging for any reason, then it can definitely be bad to read while walking. Some people find they get too absorbed in what they’re reading and forget to pay attention to where they’re walking, which can be bad if it leads to unsafe conditions and injuries.
3. Is it weird to read while walking?
If you’re wondering if it’s weird to read while walking, the answer is that yes, there will be at least a few people who think you’re weird for walking and reading at the same time.
However, for every one of those people who think it’s weird, you’ll likely find another person who thinks it’s a brilliant idea or who already sometimes reads and walks at the same time too.
So ultimately, some will think it’s weird to read while walking and others will find it perfectly acceptable and normal. Which means it’s up to you whether it’s something you like, find useful, and want to do!
4. Is it safe to read while walking?
Safety while reading and walking is an important thing, and while if you’re careful and pay attention it can be safe, there are also some instances where it can be very dangerous.
First, the location you choose to read and walk definitely matters. Somewhere low in traffic is generally best, as that means you have less obstacles to watch out for. Avoid high traffic places, and definitely don’t do something dumb like reading while walking across the street!
But it can also be dangerous if you’re not paying attention. So plan your route, look up, and stay safe while you read and walk!
5. Is reading while walking bad for your eyes?
Reading while walking can be a different type of reading than you’re used to, because instead of the book being super stationary it is likely instead to bounce around a little, which means your eyes might have to move more to keep the words steady on the page.
While the bouncing around can be difficult to adjust to for some people, you shouldn’t experience any permanently harmful effects on your eyes from reading while walking.
6. Can I read while walking on treadmills?
If you like the idea of getting exercise while reading but find it difficult to read while walking in public (or don’t feel comfortable with the safety aspect of it), then another option you can try is reading on the treadmill.
For those wondering how to read while walking on treadmills, I highly recommend getting a book holder reading rack for your treadmill if it doesn’t already have something attached to hold a book. This can be helpful, though of course you can also try holding it with one or two hands just like when walking outdoors.
Reading while on treadmills can be a good idea if you’re concerned about safety, as I mentioned earlier, but they can also sometimes allow you to walk faster than walking and reading outdoors since you don’t have to worry about running into objects or people. This means you might even be able to get a better workout while reading on the treadmill than simply walking outside!
7. Reading while walking doesn’t work for me. Is there anything else I can try?
If you’ve tried the tips above and have practiced but reading while walking still isn’t working for you, then there are a few other things you can try.
First, treadmills can be a good option as just mentioned, since you have less safety concerns to worry about. So you may find this to be a better alternative to reading while walking outdoors.
Second, if reading a physical book or e-reader isn’t working for you no matter whether you’re walking outside or on a treadmill, then you can consider listening to audiobooks while you walk.
I love listening to audiobooks while exercising and doing other miscellaneous tasks, and it can be a lot easier and safer to have your vision solely focused on one task instead of split between keeping you walking and keeping you reading.
Ultimately, it will come down to what works best for you, but audiobooks are a great alternative to reading while walking because you can still get in that exciting fiction or non-fiction book time while doing other tasks!
Want to try listening to audiobooks while walking? Get a free 30-day trial of Audible to get free audiobooks!