Between WhatsApp messages, TikTok videos and endless social media feeds, finding time to read can feel almost impossible.
Yet reading for pleasure remains a valuable way to slow down, focus and make space for yourself. Research has linked recreational reading with relaxation and cognitive engagement, making it a worthwhile habit to cultivate.
Also see: How to help your child fall in love with reading
Start small
Forget the pressure to finish a book every week. Begin with 10 minutes a day, perhaps while enjoying your morning coffee or before bed. A small, consistent habit is easier to maintain than an ambitious reading target.
Make reading easy
As reported by The Guardian, it is best to not treat reading as if it’s a chore. Keep a book where you are most likely to reach for it. Put one on your bedside table, in your handbag or next to your favourite chair.
If carrying a physical book is inconvenient, try an e-reader or audiobook. The goal is to remove friction between you and your reading time.
Create a phone-free window
Unplugged recommends putting your phone out of reach. Scrolling is designed to keep your attention moving from one piece of content to the next.
Notifications and the temptation to check your phone can interrupt concentration, so put your device on silent or leave it in another room while you read.
Research on digital distraction highlights how technology can interfere with sustained attention.
Also see: Why reading as a hobby is more important now than ever before
Choose books you actually enjoy
Reading shouldn’t feel like homework. Try novels, memoirs, biographies, travel writing, local authors or even a light-hearted romance.
If a book isn’t holding your attention, give yourself permission to put it down and try another.
Turn it into a ritual
Body and Soul recommends making reading a part of an existing routine. This could be after dinner, during your bus or train commute, or before switching off the lights. Over time, that cue can make picking up a book feel as natural as reaching for your phone.
Most importantly, don’t aim for perfection. 10 Focused minutes of reading is still ten minutes away from the scroll—and one small step towards a lasting reading habit.
Also see: Boost your reading habit: 5 clever tricks to read more daily
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