How to stop staring at your screen and read a book

Everyone’s productivity list consists of reading at least one book a month. Which means there is a good intention but no implementation. The habit of mindless scrolling has spared nobody and reading physical books has taken a back seat. 

However, the question remains, are we all really that busy? Or do we lack patience? 

Here are some ways to get back into reading habits and spend less time on the phone: 

Out of sight, out of mind  

“If you’re going to sit down with a book, leave your phone somewhere else,” says Tanya Goodin, a digital detox campaigner and the author of My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open, according to The Guardian. “This means it is not visible and not in the same room, because self-control doesn’t work.”   

Read paperbacks, and take notes 

Damian Barr, the author and host of The Big Scottish Book Club, tries to always carry a book. “If I haven’t got something with me, I can’t read it. Books always lose against social media in the competition on my phone, so I need actual paper,” as told to the media outlet. He tries to limit his social media usage with blocker apps, “which I can override but at least it makes me more aware of how much time I am spending on them”.    

Retrain your brain 

“Reading is a marathon, not a sprint,” says Daisy Buchanan, the host of You’re Booked podcast and author of the forthcoming Read Yourself Happy. “Like exercise, reading came naturally to us as children, but we have acquired a lot of noise and distraction. Start with the smallest amount of time you can and build it back up again,” states Buchanan, according to The Guardian. 

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Don’t overload your mind with unnecessary information 

This is the first thing that Buchanan does first thing in the morning. "Reading gives my mind the information it is craving, slowing it down and providing it with something to focus on.” Make an effort to pick up a book and not your phone first thing in the morning. Feed your brain with the knowledge it is craving.