Difficulty reading? Check out 5 tips to regain concentration

Only those who have the habit of reading like one of the hobbies favourites, and you have already found yourself reading and rereading the same paragraph or line of an issue several times, you know what it is to feel frustrated for not being able to develop a pleasurable moment of reading.

This sensation is mainly caused by the worst villain of the 21st century: the mental fatigue🇧🇷 Caused by the saturation of information and thoughts in our brain, cognitive exhaustion has intensified even more with the pandemic and the use of digital devices – which at times becomes abusive.

But now the dilemma is: how to regain concentration to resume reading those books that are still and dusty on the shelf?

We separate here some basic tips for you who want to recover your pleasure in reading and that will help you celebrate the National Reading Day, on Tuesday the 12th, with no regrets. Check out:

1. What level are you at?

It sounds cliché, but the first step is always to make a diagnosis! Maybe when you stopped giving yourself to reading you were dedicating yourself to complex works from the era of romanticism or realism, for example, but the mistake may be in demanding so much of your mind, at this moment.

The secret to reconnecting is to take a few steps back. It’s okay to bet on a light novel you loved reading in your youth, pick up small books of poetry or, who knows, re-read the collection of that author you always thought was writing directly to you and became your close friend. Remember: the important thing is to feel pleasure while reading.

2. Distractions? No!

We are constantly surrounded by distractions. People talking, television on, cell phone ringing and vibrating all the time, among many other realities. But, one of the crucial points for resuming concentration for reading is to eliminate distractions. If possible, turn off notifications and turn off devices that produce distracting sounds. Find or create an environment that you know you will be able to focus on.

via GIPHY

3. Establish your ritual

For those who love to read, the moment of reading is not just any occasion, it is an event! Anyway, for each person this is a unique moment, so why not create a ritual on top of it, or start putting it into practice again if you already have it?

Whether drinking your favorite drink, eating chocolate, snuggling up to your pet in a comfortable bed, sitting in your armchair with your favorite pillow or by the window enjoying the natural light, every individual ritual is valid. Combine these pleasant actions with the habit of reading and you will see how pleasant it will be to return to the literary universe.

4. Give in to the reading

The cool thing about National Reading Day is that, coincidentally, it is celebrated together with Children’s Day to remind us that our imagination and creativity can never abandon us, especially when it comes to creating the perfect scenario for the books in our heads.

Committing yourself to reading is not just talking lines, but entering the story, an aspect that every reader knows well. It’s finding yourself and getting lost. Visualize each scene that is detailed in the work you have chosen.

5. Respect your limits

Every good reader in her literary peak has already done the feat of reading a book of more than 100 pages in just one day and this feat, without a doubt, hammers in her head with the following thought: “How come I read so much back then and today I can only read 10 pages a day?”. Erase this little cloud of thoughts and respect your limits!

Today, you find yourself in another moment of your life, under different perspectives and realities and you could already recognize this in tip 1 (reread it, if necessary). This means that, right now, this is your best. With time, getting used to the words again, it is possible that you read more pages every day, in a smaller space of time. Everything is a matter of practice and persistence. It seems little, but it is the beginning.

6. Practice exchanging experiences

Generally, two characteristics that really mark those who like to read are curiosity and the need to exchange information. In our minds, this seems to broaden the taste to dedicate to the separate reading option. So one of the tips is based on that. Look for other people’s opinions about the work you are reading, as a sort of reading group. Share your insights and urge others to see with your eyes and vice versa.

via GIPHY

Extra Tip: Meditate

Meditation is still seen as a taboo by many people, but it’s one of the best ways to find our balance point, so it might be interesting to practice it moments before starting reading.

Maybe you don’t like the idea of ​​sitting still, so it’s important to know about other forms of meditation. Putting on music you like and enjoying it for a few minutes, or assuming any position that is comfortable for you in a calm environment, focusing on your body and breathing, are great alternatives to meditation and mindfulness.

Now that you already have great tips for regaining concentration when reading, check out 4 suggestions for light books to get back into the habit:

The House of New Beginnings

This light novel introduces us to three women: Rosa, Georgie and Charlotte. All of them are going through a time when they seem to have lost themselves in their own history, but when they meet, hope is reborn, friendship blossoms and a new chapter begins in their lives.

Where are you Bernadette?

Published in 2012, the book was one of the most beloved works in its year of release, so much so that it won a theatrical version in 2019. Where are you Bernadette? it is the portrait of a daughter who sets out to find her imperfect mother, whom she loves unconditionally.

The book of resignifications

This collection of poems by the Brazilian João Doederlein came to give new meanings to words. Constructed by the poet in a modern and sensitive way, this anthology also leads the reader to reframe feelings.

It just happens

If your idea is to literally reconnect through memories, this dear book is definitely recommended. The plot revolves around Rosie and Alex, two best friends who share a mutual love feeling, but who for years have never admitted it to each other. This is a story about two people destined to be together, no matter how much time passes.