How to Make Reading a Habit

Is it too late for you to make a habit of reading?

If you want to make reading a habit, there’s no better time than now, and you’ve made it to this blog post, so I think you’d like to change.

And the good news is this is the first step. The problem is that most do not take advantage of reading regularly.

I believe, many people approach reading in the wrong way. They try to force themselves to read and view reading as a complex and tedious task. Reading can become a habit that is both enjoyable and manageable, and that’s the good news.

“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.”

— W. Somerset Maugham

We should never underestimate the power of a great book. It broadens one’s horizons, introduces one to the most brilliant minds, and can produce characters, so real one feels as if one knows them.

And since we are so fortunate to live in these times, take full advantage of this opportunity by reading as much as possible. 
We live in an era of unprecedented information availability. We enjoy the freedom to read whatever we want, whenever we want, and at no cost.

Imagine the incredible tales you could learn and the insights you could gain.

Imagine all that you are missing simply because you are NOT in the habit of reading!

What about all those amazing experiences and lovely romances? What about all the historical conflicts, heroes, and villains you’ve never heard of? What about all the beautiful things you haven’t seen yet? Do you feel it?

What is the importance of reading?

Research shows that people who read books of any genre, fiction or nonfiction, for 30 minutes a day for several years lived an average of two years longer than those who did not read at all.

Interesting?

That’s because reading positively affects your cognitive functions, including learning, attention, memory, language, reasoning, decision-making, and so forth

Children who read books with their parents have greater reading skills and do better on IQ tests.

Reading a book encourages your brain to establish connections from chapter to chapter, and these neural networks can help you think more quickly and reduce the consequences of ageing on your brain. 
It also improves your concentration, not just when reading but also when performing other duties.

As if that weren’t enough, reading also boosts your EQ by enhancing your capacity for empathy, leading to better interpersonal connections and, ultimately, a better mood.

Therefore, reading can also help you fall into a deep and restful sleep.

How to develop a reading habit?

Like any habit, the habit of reading requires perseverance.

-"Every day? - Impossible, I can't"

Wait! Don’t give up just yet; I’ve got a step-by-step plan for you to follow that will get you there, as well as a test to locate your ideal reading material.

Choose a book that motivates you.

One way to choose a book is to think about the type of movies you like to watch. Maybe you lean more towards suspense or maybe romanticism and prefer a love novel.

Once you are clear about which book to read, go to the next step…

Set up a time to read your book.

Set aside a specific period each day to read (you know there is a space in your busy schedule).

For example: before going to bed, on the way to school or work, after my daily activities, between 10 pm and until I feel sleepy, etc.

Spend as much time as you can

The idea is, to begin with small, simple goals, such as starting or reading only 10 pages in 2 minutes.

If 2 minutes is too long for you, another option is to open the book (without reading it). 
Do you believe it works? …
You’ll be astonished to learn that simply opening the book at the same moment will establish a habit that will allow you to read as much as you want afterwards. 
If you already read a lot but want to read more, choose a longer amount of time to read, like 30 minutes or a whole chapter. 

Create a plan and a reminder for yourself.

You have a complete plan now that you know which book to read, when to read it, and how much to read, but I suggest writing it down in your agenda, calendar, or a note on your mobile device.

Keep track of books read

The most rewarding aspect of starting a habit is seeing how far you’ve progressed.

Another option is to join a TBR Blogchatter page, and Inside, you can read book reviews, discover new authors, register the books you’ve read, and leave your thoughts on them, allowing you to review what you’ve read.

Reading is not a duty, it is a moment.

Stop seeing books as something boring. Give yourself the opportunity to read just for fun (like watching a movie).

Make your reading time an experience

Choose a location that you enjoy and where you can completely unwind. Remove your shoes and put on some comfortable clothes. During this time, it’s also a good idea to include a refreshing drink or hot tea.
If you want to read while travelling or waiting somewhere, sit in a comfortable position with plenty of light.

Don’t worry about the speed

When you eat something tasty, you slowly chew it bite by bite. The same thing happens with books: you read them for the sake of reading them and take your time finishing them (without pauses but without rushing).

Share the experience with your friends and family

Share the experience with your friends and/or family. Tell your friends or family what the book you are reading is about. It is a way to motivate them and also to not stop doing it.

Related post: 30 Funny Children’s Books

Take your book everywhere to take advantage of the time

You can read on your way to work or while waiting in line at the bank. Use those downtime minutes to read your favourite book. When I’m on the beach, I like to read. I read while the kids play.

So, no more excuses.
And you, do you have more ideas on how to read more? Or maybe you have any book recommendations?
Share your answer in the comments!
Share and help more people discover the incredible world of books.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop 

This blog post is part of the
blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by
Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Baked Happily Ever After.

Image source: Canva