7 achievable ways to read more
We promise we're going to. We really do mean to. And yet they stack up on the bedside table, gathering dust, the unread pages taunting us. What was once a requirement in infancy and a joy in adolescence has now become a burden in adulthood as we struggle to find the time (or inclination) to read an entire book. Not a magazine, a book. Often reserved for a beach break or a long fight, racking up some page-turners has more benefits than an extended vocabulary and a library wall. So, why does it feel like such an unachievable task?
While reading enjoyed a brief lockdown renaissance (41% of people said they were reading more and Waterstones reported a 400% increase in online book sales), will we keep up our new reading routines? Not if last year's statistics are anything to go by as just 51% of adults admitted to reading a book in 2019. While we can bemoan that work, social obligations and the alluring fast-paced listicles on the internet pull our attention away from the pages, the truth is that reading requires a certain concentration that is now lost to Netflix and social media.
“Reading is not always effortless,” says Dr Sigrid Lipka, associate professor in psychology at University of Derby. “We may not be familiar with a topic, we may be tired, distracted, or struggle with what a text is trying to convey. Reading is a process which deeply engages our brain as so many areas are stimulated, such as visual processing (letters and shapes of words), language areas that help you recognise the meaning of words, the structure of sentences, controlling memories and emotions and processing sensory information so that you are able to see a scene described or hear the noise. When becoming fluent readers, our processes change and develop - we can read faster, are able to skim-read more easily, understand key points of a text and integrate what we read with our emotions.”
One person who definitely falls under the category of fluent reader is Eva of popular lifestyle blog Poppy Loves and Poppy Loves Book Club. “I don’t think it’s a conscious choice to ditch reading, but rather that life gets busier as we get older and diving into a book just slips further and further down the priority list,” she says. “Anyone I ask who sighs that they 'have no time' to read always wishes that they did. It's often perceived as something to do to while away the time - a luxury, a frivolity. In fact, if we could re-wire ourselves to make reading part of our routine, we would all benefit hugely from taking the time to switch off and escape into another world entirely. That has got to be so much better for us than being on social media or staring for hours at the tellybox.”
Eva's not wrong. According to a new study by the University of Rochester, the advantages of reading are ten-fold, ranging from keeping your brain fitter than more passive forms of entertainment, such as film or TV, to aiding sleep, elevating stress, reducing depression and lowering blood pressure to name a few. “There are the obvious connections of reading with learning, but it also helps you develop attention, memory and knowledge so your brain is fitter,” Dr Sigrid explains. "What’s maybe less known are the mental health benefits of reading such as creativity and the emotional understanding that connecting to a character can provide, especially if the reader resonates with the same struggles or situations they're going through.
"This can create a sense of solidarity which is soothing and encouraging," she adds. "People we’ve talked to in our research also stressed that reading as a hobby is enjoyable as it gives you a sense of being in control and able to freely choose what to read; they mentioned that it is relaxing as it provides some precious ‘time out’ to escape from our many tasks and demands on us.”
7 EASY WAYS TO READ MORE
JOIN A BOOK CLUB
Not only will a schedule help you stick at it, the social aspect provides extra brownie points. “Feeling connected through a mutual activity is another factor that is crucial to our wellbeing,” Dr Sigrid says.
READ BEFORE BED
Sending yourself to sleep with your imagination not a blue-lit news feed can do wonders for your energy levels. “I can highly recommend reading before bed,” Eva suggests.“The book is there waiting for your on your bedside table so there’s no decision to be made.”
TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF
While it may feel like a nagging task, taking it in small doses is key.“If you haven’t read for a long time, it doesn’t matter,” Eva says.“The books aren’t going anywhere, and there’s no finish line you need to charge towards. Choose one book. Buy it or borrow it. Begin.”
START SMALL
Tackling a DaVinci Code-style wedge is enough to intimidate anyone to not bother but Eva suggests breaking it down. “Start with 5 minutes before you go to bed. Then 10 minutes. You’ll be gobbling up books before you know it,” she says.
DITCH THE EBOOKS
We know, they're convenient and lighter than toting a library but you may not be getting all of the benefits. “Our research suggests that reading a physical book (and absorbing the smell and touch) creates a much more ‘holistic’ experience that's more pleasurable and relaxing,” Dr Sigrid says.
FIND YOUR GENRE
Make sure you're not one of the 30% of adults that give up on reading after 50 pages and find a gripping page-turner to peak your interest. “Whether it's a crime or a comedy (which releases ‘happy’ hormones and reduces stress); reading helps us to recognise different points of view, which can help us better manage our everyday social situations and relationships.”
PUT IT DOWN
Not a fan of the cliffhanger? Learn to close the book when things are getting juicy and you'll find yourself rushing to find out what happens at the earliest opportunity.
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