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Read Better: 12 Factors That Could Affect Your Reading

Posted on 18 Nov 2022 | Posted in StevensBooks Blogs | Posted by spree@stevensbooks.com

 

You love to read. Whether it's for work, for pleasure, or to keep up with the latest trends, reading is a big part of your life. But lately, you've noticed that your reading isn't as good as it used to be. You're having trouble focusing, and the words on the page seem to swim in front of your eyes. You wonder what seems to be wrong, but it can be a number of things.

Of course, you want to level up your reading experience. What reader doesn’t want to? You want to understand what you're reading, be able to read faster, and not lose concentration along the way. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things to consider.

If you're struggling to improve your reading process, we can help you out. In this article, we'll explore the various factors that could be affecting your ability to read quickly and comprehend what you're taking in, so you can read your books better next time.

 

 

Interest

One factor that can affect your reading is how interesting the material is. If you're reading something that's boring, you're likely to read slower and have a harder time understanding it. This is why people often have more trouble reading dry academic texts than fiction or non-fiction books that they're genuinely interested in. Read a book that you actually like.

 

Familiarity

How familiar you are with the material can add or take away from your reading experience. If you're reading something for the first time, it'll probably take you longer than if you've read it before, but you will be more excited for it since it’s something new. If you’re doing a reread, the excitement may not be as much because you already know what to expect. You can relive the reading experience, though, and finish faster.

 

Focus

You should keep your level of concentration in check while reading. If you're trying to read while multitasking, you'll likely not be able to give the material your full attention. Even when you're just trying to read and listen to music at the same time, your brain is going to have trouble processing both inputs simultaneously. As a result, you'll probably end up skimming more than actually reading and comprehending the text. If you're tired or distracted, it'll be harder to focus on the words and understand them.

 

Surroundings

When you're trying to read in a noisy or cluttered area, it can be difficult to grasp what is on the page. Try to find a good reading environment. Go to a quiet and comfortable place where you can relax and really get lost in your book. Silence, a soft seat, and a clean space can work wonders on your mood and your mind while you’re reading.

 

Temperature

The temperature of the room you're in can be bothersome when you’re cuddling with a book. If it's too hot or too cold, you'll likely find yourself getting irritated and your attention wandering off to your discomfort rather on the task at hand. Generally speaking, people tend to read better in cool places than in warm ones, so if you're having trouble concentrating while you're reading, try turning down the heat.

 

Age

The younger you are, the better you can read and retain information. As you age, your eyesight changes and it becomes more difficult to focus on small print. Moreover, your memory and cognitive ability will not be as sharp as before. These can make reading more difficult for old people.

 

Light

If you force yourself to read in low light, it’s difficult to see the words on the page, so your eyes will be strained trying to make out whatever you’re reading. Once you also make it a habit, you will eventually cause irreparable damage to your eyes. It's best to read in well-lit areas whenever possible to prevent any eye complications in the long run.

 

Stress

Problems and stress can also impact your reading ability. When you're stressed, you may have difficulty focusing and processing information. Your mind is subconsciously preoccupied with other concerns so it can’t fully concentrate on the book in front of you. If you want to read but you’re bothered with certain issues, try relaxing, meditating, and taking a few deep breaths first before starting your reading session.

 

Pace

Another thing that can make a difference is whether you're a fast or slow reader. If you're a fast reader, you might not have as much trouble with long and thick books because you can get through them quickly. However, if you tend to have a slower pace, it will take you some time before you can finish reading an entire book. Whichever kind of reader you are, only read at a speed that’s natural and comfortable for you, so you can truly understand what’s written and enjoy the whole experience.

 

Education

People who have more formal education tend to be better readers than those who aren’t as educated. This is likely because they've had more practice reading complex materials. They have been exposed to more terms, giving them a broader vocabulary. They tend to be more well-versed in writing as well, which can make them understand an author’s intent and message better. Moreover, a person’s literacy influences the kind of books they read and the topics they’re interested in reading.

 

Sleep

Believe it or not, sleep can actually affect your reading ability. People who are well-rested tend to read faster and comprehend better than those who are tired. A rested brain has good cognitive function because it’s been refreshed after a good night’s sleep. Exhaustion can only slow the mind and hinder it from performing at full capacity.

 

Time Preference

There may be a certain time of day you’d rather read than not. If you're a morning person, you're likely to read better in the morning than in the evening. But if you're a night owl, you may find that you read better at night. There are also some people who like to read in intervals and during work or school breaks.

Think about the last time you were deeply engrossed in a book. You could feel the pages in your hands, smell the ink on the paper, and hear the rustle as you turned them. You were completely absorbed in the story, so much so that you forgot where you were and what was happening around you.

We hope that once you adjust your reading practice according to these factors, you can recreate that same amazing experience all over again. Just pick a good reading nook, grab a book, condition yourself, and escape into the pages.

You can also visit our store if you want to find something great to read, so you can start your reading journey.

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