A bookworm's guide to getting into reading – and sticking to it

Throw out that copy of ‘War and Peace’ that has been staring you down for the last year. Here’s your guide to making reading fun, flexible, and a habit you’ll actually keep.

When I speak to friends about reading, there are one of two answers. It can either be “What are you reading?” or “I am not a reader myself”. The myth persists that you simply are a reader, or you just aren’t. It is reserved for the naturally academic, the introverted, and the already well-practised. If you don’t know the classics, then why bother? Too late on that train, huh.

But reading is one of the most accessible tools we have to support mental health and cognitive function. And more than that, it’s fun. I get it, James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ doesn’t naturally conjure ideas of a riveting Saturday night, but when you find your niche, release yourself of literary expectations, and get comfortable with your reading lane, before you know it, you’re a ‘reader’ too.

It doesn’t matter who you are; it matters how you approach it. And the science is compelling. The University of Sussex conducted a study that found reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by upto 68%, lowering heart rate and easing muscle tension rapidly. But beyond easing stress, reading also helps the brain function by strengthening neural connections, improving memory, and enhancing empathy by exposing readers to different perspectives. So make it to the end of this article, and you shall have a lot to thank me for.

The National Institute on Ageing has also linked consistent reading habits with slowing down cognitive decline later in life. Findings in Social Science and Medicine further this support, concluding that those who read regularly may even experience increased longevity. It’s not only a fun way to add preventative care for the mind into your routine, but it quite literally adds years to your life.

But don’t worry, I get it. Starting to read feels like a mountainous task. I go through peaks and troughs of being so immersed in the habit of reading that I couldn’t think to stop, and suddenly feeling like I may never pick up a book again. So why is it so difficult to start?

Part of the issue can be found in accessibility. Less so in the physical sense, but more in how it is framed in our minds. We associate reading with taking up a lot of time, being intellectually demanding, and even elitist. But that’s where you have to make the personal change to make it feel adaptable to you. There are no rules to reading, so you can make it as flexible, personal, and achievable as suits you. Here, I have compiled some small nuggets of advice that I like to remind myself of when it comes to reading long-form, and how to make it your new joymaxxing hobby once and for all…

Start small!

If your attention span has felt a little fractured recently, just know you aren’t alone. We live in a world of constant short-form content, meaning we can’t really focus on longer activities anymore. Reading helps rebuild that capacity and trains the brain to focus for longer periods of time. But like any muscle, it needs to be trained. Like a set of press-ups in the morning, you may start with 5 to get the body warmed up. Well, reading is the same. Do three pages, and then build it up to a chapter by the end of the month. No one is monitoring you, so go at your own pace. The National Literacy Trust found that even a few pages of regular reading can improve wellbeing, concentration, and confidence.

Ease and enjoyment over challenges

This one took me a while to figure out myself. Why did I love reading a Substack on the 10 best gelato spots in my local area, but found it difficult to get through a page of Colleen Hoover? Well, I wasn’t focusing on what I enjoyed reading. Instead, I tried to commit to something I thought I should be reading. Dense classics or contemporary faves don’t equal optimum mental benefits. In fact, enjoyment is crucial and allows your brain to enter a state of deep focus, allowing comprehension and memory retention to thrive. It could be a vampire romance, the top tourist spots for Sangria in Spain, or a short horror story script from your favourite movie. What matters is that you keep turning the page.

Reading isn’t always reading

Reading is technically comprehending the meaning of written or printed matter, of course. But as a broader concept, I would say my personal definition of reading lies within the consumption of information focused on writing. As in, you don’t need to sit cross-legged with a paperback to read. You can listen to audiobooks, e-read, and still sit with a print edition, too. Different platforms make reading far more accessible to those with neurodivergence, for example, allowing it to fit into busy daily routines at your own pace. It also removes the pressure; you can reread, skim, or stop altogether as you please.

Build the habit with other habits

To stick to reading, you must treat it like any other habit. Like going to the gym or taking your vitamins may be done before you eat your dinner, you have anchored that habit to an already existing ritual. I found that reading before bed, or alongside your morning coffee, makes the habit stick. Behavioural research backs this, and turns this intention into an automatic part of your day.

There is no ‘perfect’ reader

The best thing you can do is put a book down. Having the confidence to quit if you aren't enjoying it makes you a great reader. You aren’t giving up too quickly, or forcing yourself to read because you know everyone else enjoyed it, but instead, you are refining your taste. The goal isn’t to read every book ever, but to return to it. The easier and more enjoyable you find a piece of writing, the more likely you are to come back and finish it. Consistency is where you begin to reap the cognitive benefits.

Give everything a go

I really dislike some books that I thought I would love, and find favourites in books I would have never thought to pick up. Reading can be synonymous with our identity, and we tend to judge a book by its cover. But a lot of the time, the pieces that we think would resonate with us can sometimes not be so interesting, actually. Finding out new information, or a new perspective and story arc that you haven’t been exposed to, is what makes reading so fascinating. I know gym bros who love Dolly Alderton, and rom-com addicts who cite Stephen King as their favourite writer. We find a world that we wouldn’t usually live in, and suddenly, we aren’t pigeonholed anymore. It’s rather freeing, actually.

Find your people

Although an individualistic pursuit, reading isn’t solitary. Clubs, online forums, and social platforms all turn it into a shared experience. Goodreads, Substack, and even telling your friends about your latest read add a layer of excitement and accountability to reading.

Reading is rest, not effort

Get it out of your head that reading is a difficult task! No eye rolls like you're a teen in school that had to finish ‘Hamlet’ before your big test. Neuroscientists have found that immersive reading activates the brain's default mode network. This is the same system that is linked to introspection and creativity. In essence, reading is relaxing and allows your mind to wander in productive ways, and you won’t even realise it. So reframe that mental barrier, it’s not a task on your to-do list, it's a form of rest

Reading is one of the most powerful ways to support your mental health. Start small, choose enjoyment, and build those habits. Happy Reading!