Page 42 - Waterfall City Issue 2 February 2025

Waterfall City Lifestyle

carbon sink, storing the carbon dioxide
absorbed by trees during their growth.
This sustainable cycle continues as
harvested trees are replaced with new
saplings, ensuring that wood and
paper remain renewable resources.

Digital devices are often considered
‘eco-friendly’, however e-readers and
tablets require significant resources
to produce, and irresponsible disposal
contributes to electronic waste.
Additionally, the energy used to power
and recharge digital devices can add
up over time.

Books help to digitally detox
Addiction expert Dr Anna Lembke, in
her article entitled Constant Craving:
How Digital Media turned us all into
Dopamine Addicts, says that our
smartphones are making us dopamine
junkies, with each swipe, tweet and
the like feeding our habit. We’re forever
‘interrupting ourselves for a quick
digital hit’.

Opting for a magazine or paper book
over digital content can help mitigate
digital overload, much like avoiding
sugar or alcohol can curb unhealthy
cravings.

Tips to get you reading more
paper books
Read at regular intervals: Carve
out 10 minutes each day to read a
magazine, newspaper or novel. You can
even read while enjoying breakfast or
lunch, or treat yourself to coffee and
cake with a book as your date!
If you’re a new reader, opt for bite-
sized reading: Large, hardback books in a queue, doctors’ rooms or sitting paper book once in a while to offer a
can be daunting, so opt for short, in the car, most of us will reach for our well-rounded counterbalance.
‘snackable’ ones. It’s a great way to feel mobile phones and scroll mindlessly Bring and share: Just like we bring
a sense of accomplishment when you through social media platforms. a plate of eats to a social gathering,
finish them. Instead, make sure you have a book or take along a book that you think a
Discover the pleasure of your magazine on hand to while away the friend may enjoy. You can also donate
favourite topic: Most people have a time and feed your mind. books to a charity shop or second-hand
favourite meal or treat, so find out what Include variety if you’re already bookstore.
type of reading material brings you a big reader: If you love fiction,
the most pleasure. It might be fiction challenge yourself to give non-fiction Jane Moloney concludes: “From my
in the form of romance, comedy or a try. You might find that topics of a own experience, I find that paper
suspenseful thrillers, or non-fiction on a different nature create a more balanced books truly nourish my mind. They help
range of topics. intellectual ‘diet’. Similarly, if you prefer me relax, disconnect and escape into
Keep ‘reading snacks’ in your car, reading in a digital format, which offers another world. In an ‘always on’ world,
handbag or laptop bag: While waiting convenience and accessibility, add a books remain my healthiest choice.”

40 Waterfall City Issue 2 2025