How to read more

How do you read more when you have gotten out of the habit?

Why you should read more

How often do you read? I mean, how often do you dedicate time to sit down with a book of your choice and actually read for fun? I'm not talking about reading the newspaper or reading online. I'm not talking about browsing the internet or even reading for work. I'm talking about actual reading for pleasure.

I think a lot of us haven't actually read more than a handful of novels since high school English class, if that!

It's time to change that by learning how to read more. Reading is good for you. It's one of the best healthy habits for your brain that you can cultivate. Reading helps to keep your mind sharp by introducing you to new ideas, increasing your vocabulary, and reducing stress. The benefits of reading also help to prevent brain aging, which may help prevent the brain from developing dementia later in life.

We should all be reading more... but how? Sometimes it's just plain hard to make time or find the effort to want to read.

How do I read more? It all comes down to re-training your brain. Once you get into the habit of reading, you'll be a healthier, happier person.

Increase your attention span to read more

One of the problems that we face when we want to learn how to read more, or make reading into a routine habit, is that we have a short attention span. Nowadays, the easy access and overload of entertainment and information (via television, smartphones, and the Internet) have shorted out our attention span, making it more and more difficult to really learn how to read more.

The only way to overcome that is through willpower and turning reading into a habit. The more you read (and at first you will have to force yourself to start reading more), the easier it will become and the more you will want to do it. Like any good habit, it takes time and patience to cultivate a love of reading.

How to read more

1. Read every day - Read every day, even if it's just for five or ten minutes before bed. The big secret and key to reading more is reading regularly. Never let yourself think that you don't have time. Anyone can fit five minutes into his or her busy schedule right before falling asleep at night. Reading is beneficial because it can help you to relax and become sleepy before you go to bed, which is one reason that reading before bed helps you to fall asleep faster.
2. Find the right book for you - You don't have to read something stuffy and boring. If you are truly not enjoying the book that you picked up after a few days of reading, just set it aside and try something different. Try reading from several different genres; science fiction, classic literature, fantasy, or action.
3. Eliminate distractions - When you make time to read, really make time to read. Put away your phone and turn off the television. Set aside your laptop and your ipad. Eliminate distractions and temptations and try to focus entirely on the book, even if you are reading for just five minutes. It can help at first to set a timer for five or ten minutes, helping you make reading a habit, which in turn will help to increase your attention span and help you learn how to read more.
4. Re-visit the classics - The classics that you've read in school can seem much different when you re-read them as an adult. Try re-reading a book that you found boring in high school English class. You just might be surprised to find that with your life experiences, you can relate to and understand the stories on a much deeper level. After all, there's a reason that these books are considered to be classics.
5. Keep a list of book recommendations - Ask your friends or respected mentors for books that they recommend. Famous thinkers often release frequent book recommendation lists. Bill Gates and Barack Obama have two of the most highly-praised frequent book recommendations. Ask your friends to recommend books that they have been reading. Sometimes, having somebody to discuss a book with makes it even more interesting to read.
6. Approach reading with a new mindset - Don't think of reading as a chore, but rather as a treat. It's good for your brain, just like exercise is good for your body. Exercise can make you feel good, and so can reading. Read things that you enjoy. Eventually, you will come to love reading and cherish and look forward to your daily reading time.
7. Don't worry too much about what you read -  There is sure to be something for you. Honestly, it doesn't matter at all what you read. Even reading a graphic novel is good for your brain!
8. Give ebooks and audiobooks a try - Reading along to an audiobook can help you to stay focused. Ebooks are great as well, as you can take full advantage of the integrated dictionary feature to look up difficult words. Take full advantage of the amazing benefits of modern technology!
9. Make reading into a habit - Read often! Reading often is more important than reading something difficult or reading for a long time. Life is all about habits, and reading is one of the best habits that you can have.
10. Read as a challenge - Sometimes, you need to set a challenge for yourself in order to really practice reading more. Maybe you want to read one new book every month. Maybe you want to read 100 books in a year! It doesn't matter how big or small your reading goal is, but sometimes just the practice of setting a goal and a challenge for yourself is enough to give you the willpower and motivation boost that you need in order to read more.