Science says reading makes you smarter and increases your brain power. However, almost one-quarter of Americans say they haven’t read a book in at least a year, according to Pew Research Center. If this sounds like you, why not use 2022 to make a change and get reading? After all, it’s easy to enjoy a good book when you know how.
Set a reading target
20% of people describe themselves as chronic procrastinators. Procrastination can make you stressed and cause illnesses, such as headaches and colds. If you’re prone to putting things off, you’re likely to avoid reading even though you want to. One way to combat this is to set yourself a reading target for the year. You’re 33% more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down. Your targets can be things such as ‘read more books’, ‘read 10 books by the end of the year’, or ‘read 20 pages a day’. It’s best not to put too much pressure on yourself, especially when you haven’t read in a while. Instead, go for a reasonable number that you can practically achieve. It will feel much better if you exceed your goals at the end of the year rather than fail to meet them.
Join a book club
The average American watches 4 hours of TV every day. This is problematic as it can cause obesity, sleep disturbances, depression, and musculoskeletal problems. Get out of your TV-watching rut by joining a book club. Book clubs are great as they encourage you to mix and socialize with others which is beneficial for your mental health. You’re more likely to read more when you’re part of a book club, too, as you won’t want to let others down. It’s also a great opportunity to explore new authors and genres. For example, Harlan Coben’s thriller novels are often explored in book clubs. The Woods, Fool Me Once, and Tell No One are best-sellers and include surprising twists which means there’s plenty for book clubs to talk about.
Visit your local library
Not sure what genre of book is best for you? Or perhaps you’re worried about wasting your money on a book you don’t enjoy. Then utilize the amenities at your local library. Smithsonian Magazine reports that visiting the library is one of the most popular pastimes in America. There are so many benefits of using a library, including being able to browse books, take out books free of charge, order and reserve titles of your choice, and get recommendations from wall displays, librarians, and other library-goers. Libraries also tend to have reading corners where you can relax and get stuck into a good book without any interruptions.
Reading has so many benefits, including improving your knowledge, enhancing your memory, and relaxing you. It’s certainly worth making 2022 the year you read more. So, follow these tips and you’ll find it easier than ever to increase the number of books you read.
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