Want to walk and read more? Try book hopping!

Do you want to read more, but can’t seem to have the time? Or do you find going for a walk a bit frivolous when there are many things on your to-do list? I am sure that you are aware that both reading and walking are highly beneficial activities. Easy to do, but also easy not to do. So here’s a quick recipe to combine them and make it feel like a better use of your time!

The importance of reading and walking

I’ve written about the value of reading before, including some strategies to read more. There’s also quite a lot of people out there who say that either reading a certain book or reading a lot more regularly than they used to has changed their lives. Check out this guy:

https://youtu.be/r–wz576ke0

Similarly, getting more exercise is a no-brainer in terms of improving your health and overall wellbeing. Fresh air and movement can improve a bad day, put a smile on your face and generate new ideas. The problems linked to a sedentary lifestyle are well known: namely obesity and all that comes with it (heart and lung problems, higher chances of dying at a younger age…). Fun stuff.

The idea of book hopping

So in this context, what is book hopping? Book hopping is a term that I think I’ve invented (correct me if I’m wrong!). The idea is to go for a walk and then when you reach a bench, to sit down and read a chapter of the book you took with you.

It’s a very simple idea, but by combining the two activities, you’re being intentional about how you spend your time and getting the benefits of both activities!

• Lunch break: this is what I used to do in Abingdon – I identified a short loop near our flat that passes by a couple benches;
• Making an afternoon of it: maybe take a picnic with you and disable the Internet on your devices for a nice little digital detox;
• Take the time to make this a personal development habit: make the walking part time for thinking (maybe about things you are grateful for) and then read and write about something applicable to your life;
• Research / professional reading: take your papers / articles / whatever outside for a midday break!
• Make it a date: go with a special someone with for a very chillax outing (maybe not a first date though!).

So what do you think? Is this daft or quite a cool idea?