If you like to read or are a writer, you might find it more and more challenging to find time to engage in this hobby. Life is busy, right? Especially if you own a business, work full-time outside the home, and even more so if you have children, taking time for yourself to enjoy a book might be nearly impossible. It might even feel selfish. But, it’s not, so get that thought right out of your head!
Before the industrial age, reading was one of the most popular forms of self-entertainment. It almost seems like the more advanced technology became, the less time people had for reading. This post can help you change that. Everyone should be able to make time for reading no matter how busy life becomes. You actually might have more time available for reading than you think.
Make it an integral part of your morning routine
Developing a healthy morning routine has numerous benefits in your personal life as well as in business. This is one of the best ways to incorporate reading into your daily routine. Even if you do not spend more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time at it, reading at the start of the day helps energize your mind and body.
At the same time, in addition to awakening cognitive function, making reading a central part of your morning routine also helps you to begin the day in a calm, controlled manner. This is much better than rushing around and trying to multi-task to beat the clock and get to work on time.
Waiting rooms are a perfect place to catch up on reading
Throughout the week, it’s not uncommon to have appointments scheduled in various locations that require you to have to wait for several minutes—if not much longer—in a waiting room. Always carry a book with you. This is the perfect time and place to read. It can also help alleviate some of the anxiety that often creeps in while awaiting your turn.
Read before you go to bed at night
Reading for an hour or so before going to sleep at night is good for you in many ways. If you want to have more time to read, this is a great way to do it. Studies show that it is beneficial to human health to turn off electronics and stop blue light exposure several hours before bedtime. Reading is a wonderful alternate activity.
If you usually use an electronic device for reading, you might want to switch to reading from books. Try to keep your selections lighthearted. In other words, a half hour before trying to sleep is not the best time to read documents or project materials from work. Try reading fiction (nothing too scary or disturbing) or choose an interesting biography or autobiography to help you wind down at the end of a busy day.
Read to your children
Consider restoring a family read-aloud tradition in your home or a quiet reading time where each family member enjoys his or her own book while everyone is gathered in the same room. If your family members would rather read in private, consider setting aside a certain evening time for everyone to retreat to his or her favorite reading spot. Encouraging daily reading time at home is one of the most valuable resources we have for conquering the literacy crisis in America. And, if you schedule time to read, you will automatically have more time for it in
