Even more tips to help those of you who can’t always remain immersed in your reading. If you haven’t seen part one, simply click here.
1. Read During Off-Peak Hours
Whether it be an hour before bed, or first thing in the morning, reading when the world around you is mostly asleep is a great method of avoiding noise and interruption.
This is also especially effective for parents or those of us who have rather needy pets. Even half an hour each day can be enough to get through a book per week.
2. Avoid Clocks
Awareness of time is a massive immersion killer. Whether it’s the tick-tock of an analogue clock hanging somewhere, or simply glancing at the face and suddenly realising the time, it’ll draw your brain out of the book.
Subconsciously, your brain may start to compile information about what you need to do soon, or what you recently did. Maybe it’s time you rest? Or perhaps you need to cook?
Overall, avoid knowing the exact time and being aware of time. You don’t need to speed run books, you’re supposed to enjoy them without interruption.
3. Avoid Your Phone
If you thought clocks were an issue, try having a device that erodes your attention span each and every day.
Not only can your phone tell you the time, but it can buzz with all kinds of notifications. It also brings out a lazier side in most of us, with so much content and communication easily available on social media. I’d recommend putting your phone on silent or do not disturb, or even outright turning it off whilst you read.
4. Try Short Books or Short Stories
If reading uninterrupted for longer periods of time is an issue, why not counter it with shorter content?
Novellas and short story collections are just as important as novels, and they can often be something that draws you in for an hour. In most cases, the faster progression of events and smaller scope will prevent your focus from slipping away as easily.
5. Try Audio Books
If sitting down and reading really is hopeless for you, then why not listen. Audiobooks are much handier for travelling and anyone who is usually on-the-go.
I’d still recommend sitting down or laying back with some quality headphones on and focusing on the story being read to you. One major benefit is the fact that the narrator’s voice will drown out external noise to a degree, meaning it may be harder to hear distractions that you would’ve noticed if reading a printed/digital copy.
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