Reading Outside Heals in More Ways Than One

This past Tuesday, something small but powerful shifted for me.

I had just gotten off work and slipped into my cozy clothes, ready to unwind. I had already decided I was going to start a new book—The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk but at first, I planned to stay in and read curled up on my couch like I usually do.

But something told me to go outside instead.

Just a little nudge one of those soft inner whispers we often ignore.

So I grabbed my book, slid on my slides, and made my way to the community pool area.

I didn’t swim, I didn’t socialize. I just found a spot where the sun wrapped itself

around me, and I started to read. And it felt... so good.

Reading about trauma, healing, and the mind-body connection under an open sky felt like the most unexpected but needed pairing. There was something grounding and nourishing about letting the sun warm my skin while soaking in words

that were heavy, enlightening, and freeing all at once.

Why Reading Outside Feels So Good

I didn’t know it then, but reading in the sun comes with real benefits not just for the mind, but for the body too. As someone navigating PCOS, HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa), and hypertension, this small act of self-care ended up being a lot more healing than I expected.

Here’s why:

1. Vitamin D = Hormonal & Skin Support

Many people with PCOS and HS are low in vitamin D, which can worsen inflammation, fatigue, and hormone imbalances. Sun exposure helps your body produce this vitamin naturally supporting insulin sensitivity, mood, and even helping reduce HS flare-ups.

2. Lower Blood Pressure & Stress Hormones

Quiet time in the sun helps reduce cortisol, the stress hormone that plays a huge role in both PCOS symptoms and hypertension. Being outdoors naturally calms your nervous system, which helps regulate blood pressure and reduce overall tension.

3. Parasympathetic Nervous System Activation

Just sitting outside and reading allows your body to drop into a relaxed, healing state. It’s not just mental it supports digestion, heart health, skin repair, and emotional balance. This is huge for inflammatory conditions like HS and hormone-sensitive conditions like PCOS.

4. Less Screen Time = Less Inflammation

Reading a physical book outdoors reduces screen exposure, giving your eyes and nervous system a break. Less blue light = better sleep, less anxiety, and more regulated hormones something that benefits all three conditions.

5. Mindfulness & Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Being fully present while reading in nature is a form of mindfulness. And studies show that mindfulness practices can lower inflammation levels, improve self-regulation, and help manage chronic health conditions including those that affect the skin, hormones, and blood pressure.

6. Simple Healing Habits Build Bigger Routines

This tiny moment choosing to read outside instead of staying in reminded me that self-care doesn’t always look like a major routine. Sometimes it’s the soft, nourishing decisions that shift everything over time.

What I Read:

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk(A deep dive into how trauma lives in the body—and how healing is possible through connection, awareness, and care.)

Where I Read:

By the pool, in comfy clothes, and no expectations.

How It Felt:

Like coming back home to myself. If you’re managing chronic conditions like PCOS, HS, or hypertension or even if you’re just overwhelmed by life try this: take your book, your thoughts, or even just a journal outside for 15 minutes. Let the sun meet you. Let the stillness hold you. You might be surprised what opens up.

Would you try reading outside this week? Let me know in the comments, or tag me @Velvet98 when you do 🕊️🌞Let’s keep healing, one soft moment at a time.