People who are very good at reading sometimes have a hard time paying attention, whether it's because their minds are busy or because the book is not very interesting to read. But there is a way to get through these difficult times. Keep reading this article for steps to improve your focus and pay more attention to the text you read.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Stay Focused
Step 1. Turn off all equipment
One of the biggest obstacles to focus in the modern world is the temptation to wander around cyberspace and reply to messages. Annoying phone notifications can take time out of your reading, make you lose focus, or make you forget what happened in the book. Turn off your phone and computer. Move to a place some distance away where you won't be tempted to use it.
Step 2. Use noise-cancelling headphones
Our attention can be distracted by noise and bright light. These are remnants of ancient times where our ancestors had to be on guard against predators. To prevent these interruptions, we should try to block out noise that was not anticipated in advance. Earmuffs can help us but most people prefer to use headphones.
If you use headphones, we recommend that the music you hear is not distracting. Everyone has their own preferences, but usually the right music for reading a book is soft music with no lyrics and quite repetitive
Step 3. Try to meditate
Meditation has been shown to develop areas of the brain involved in conscious focus. While meditating, try to focus on one thing, like your breath, and try to ignore what's happening outside of you. Do this for a few minutes each day to improve your concentration and maybe a few minutes before you start reading so you can prepare for concentration.
Step 4. Sit up straight
You may like to lie down and read, but this can put you to sleep. Get used to the body in good posture. Sit up straight. Keep your knees parallel to your hips. Leave your feet flat on the floor.
One study showed that students who sat up straight scored better on tests than students who sat hunched over. Good posture can help you focus, and it can prevent body aches from bending your back toward the book
Step 5. Drink caffeinated beverages
Caffeine can help you concentrate on what you're doing, energize your body, and keep you from falling asleep. Caffeine can also help with focus problems caused by ADHD. If you're not used to caffeine, try drinking green tea so you don't overdo it. If you get used to it, have a cup of coffee.
Caffeine works best if you don't consume it in excess. It's a good idea to get a certain dose of caffeine per day when you really need to concentrate
Step 6. Visit a psychiatrist
If you're constantly having trouble reading, you may have ADHD. Visit a psychiatrist and explain your symptoms clearly to him. If he thinks you have ADHD, he's likely to prescribe medication to help you concentrate.
Do not try to self-diagnose before consulting a psychiatrist. What you tell the psychiatrist matters a lot. You can be sure that you are experiencing ADHD symptoms and are ultimately influencing your psychiatrist by giving the wrong perspective of what you are going through
Method 2 of 2: Practicing Active Reading
Step 1. Find out why you are reading
Having a goal can help you focus. Try asking if there's a particular type of question you'd like to find answers to. If you're reading fiction, try asking what the book's theme is. For a history book, ask yourself why this story is important today. If you're reading a textbook, think about what your teacher wants to know. Try to answer these questions as you read.
Step 2. Underline or mark with highlighter
When you know what you're looking for, take notes when you find it. Underline or color the relevant text. This will help you find them again sometime in the future, while also encouraging you to ask yourself questions as you read the most important parts of the book.
Try to be selective. If you tick things off, you're not really focusing on what's important
Step 3. Take notes
When you come up with an important idea, write a small note next to the tux. This will encourage you to dive deep into the idea and when you read it again, you'll come back to it. Small notes are usually enough to interact with the text in the book without you having to spend a lot of time.
Step 4. Review the title
Headings are a good clue to the body of the text. Pay close attention to the title. Reinterpret this title as a question and as you read a chapter in the book, try to answer this question.
For example, if the title is, "Attitude of the Father of the Nation to the Government" try asking yourself "What is the attitude of the Father of the Nation to the government?"
Step 5. Stop reading and try to reflect on what has been read in a chapter at the end of the chapter
The optimum level of focus for most people can only last for fifty minutes so it is important to stop reading regularly. The end of the chapter is a good place to stop reading because there is usually a conclusion drawn for a big idea. Write notes at the end of the chapter explaining the big ideas and/or the highlights of the chapter. Then try to relax for five to ten minutes.
Do something fun while you're stopping, like drinking a cup of hot chocolate or playing a short game. This incentivizes you to focus and complete the chapter
Step 6. Use your finger
To find out which text you're reading and keep your focus, move your finger under the text you're reading. Place your finger just below what you're reading. You only need to follow these steps if you're having trouble finding the text you're reading.
Step 7. Read aloud
If you're still having trouble focusing, try reading aloud. This leaves you having to process the text further so you don't lose focus or fall asleep easily.
