How Long Should You Read a Day?

Little we know when we are introduced to books that the world gets more meaningful and deeper when you are an avid reader. But the best question people ask is how long should you read a day? Well, that goes by choice but read this blog to know more in detail.

Books are the best medium that helps you explore the world both inside and outside you.

It helps you to polish your life as well as your brain. Read further to know how much you should read a day?

How Many Hours a Day Should You Read?

Sometimes how often you should read becomes a magical question. Know that there is no rule book.

A study done by the University of Michigan found that adults (over age 50) who read 30 mins a day lived 2 years longer than those who didnโ€™t read.

I would recommend reading time per day for adults is 2 hours. It goes good if in one sitting, reading is done for 1 hour. Well these number of hours vary for students.

Children must read 3 hours, time inclusive of reading the school material. You can divide the time without ignoring the fact that studies are equally important.

They say habits that start at an early age go for longer in life. So it is best if you engage your toddlers in reading in a playful manner. You can introduce picture books to them and give them 12 minutes to read time.

So, to conclude, how long should you read a day? Reading 15-30 minutes a day can give you maximum benefits.

Should we really read every day?

The mind is a muscle, and reading is its exercise.

So if you want to stay sharp, pick up a book and flex!

You eat your meals daily and that too on time. Similarly, books are a food for your mind and thoughts.

Yes, you can read every day. Try to include different genres of books so that reading does not get boring for you.

Top 3 Benefits of Reading per Day

quote on books by ernst hemmingway

Generations today spend most of their time on gadgets watching videos and making reels. Reading per day give you these 3 benefits:

Mental Gymnastics

Every day, reading stimulates your brain like a workout, improving cognitive function, memory retention, and overall mental agility.

Immerse yourself in the captivating realms of literature to escape the stresses of daily life. Reading is a sanctuary that can transport you to places far beyond the confines of reality, providing relaxation, tranquillity, and mental rejuvenation.

Empathy Empowerment

Delving into the pages of a book allows you to step into the shoes of diverse characters, enhancing empathy and understanding and fostering open-mindedness in your daily interactions.

Language Mastery

Consistent reading exposes you to a rich tapestry of words, phrases, and literary styles, expanding your vocabulary, enhancing linguistic fluency, and refining your communication skills.

Up until now we considered both ebooks and printed books. But many have now resorted to Podcasts or audiobooks to manage time.

Do Audiobooks count as Book Reading?

Audiobooks are a great way to consume books and offer many of the same benefits as reading traditional print books. Average daily time spent on audiobooks is 41 minutes which can help you finish nearly 2 books a month as opposed to the printed books you read (Source).

When you listen to an audiobook, you still absorb the same information as you would if you read the book yourself. You are still following the plot, learning new vocabulary, and expanding your knowledge.

Studies suggest that audiobooks can be more beneficial for learning than traditional print books. This is because audiobooks can help you to focus and retain information better.

Here are some of the benefits of audiobooks:

  • You can listen to audiobooks while you do other activities, such as driving, cooking, or exercising.
  • Audiobooks can help you to focus and retain information better.
  • Audiobooks can help you to learn new vocabulary.
  • Audiobooks can help you to relax and de-stress.

How much reading in a day is too much?

The amount of reading considered too much varies from person to person, but there are some general guidelines.

1-1.5 hours in a single sitting is a good amount for most people. This allows you to focus and absorb the information without getting too tired or bored. More than that can make some people sleepy.

4 hours in a day is the maximum amount that most people should read. Any more than that, and you may start to experience eye strain, headaches, or other problems.

If you find that you are reading more than 4 hours a day, it is essential to take breaks. Get up and move around, or do something else that will help you to relax your eyes and mind.

You read to feel relaxed and entertained. So the simple rule is to not exhaust your body.

How to make time to read every day ?

Though there is no set rule for how to make time to read every day because that goes by your choice always. But still you can follow these:

  • Read in short bursts throughout the day. This is a great way to fit reading into your busy schedule.
  • Listen to audiobooks while you’re doing other activities. This is a great way to multitask and still enjoy a good book.
  • Join a book club. This is a great way to meet new people who share your love of reading.
  • Visit your local library. This is a great way to find new books to read and get the librarians’ recommendations.
  • Set a goal for yourself. How much time do you want to read each day? Once you know your goal, you can start planning to achieve it.
  • Find a quiet place to read. This will help you to focus and avoid distractions.
  • Choose books that you enjoy. You’re less likely to stick with a book if you’re not enjoying it.
  • Make reading a part of your routine. Schedule some time each day to read, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.
  • Don’t be afraid to take breaks. If you get tired or bored, take a break and return to it later.
  • Make it social. Find a friend or family member who enjoys reading and set a goal to read together.

Conclusion

Hope the blog was a good read for you.

Delve into the story rather than looking at how long is the reading or how many pages should I read or how much reading is too much. Read Daily!

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Omkar Mirajgave

Omkar Mirajgave

Omkar Mirajgave is the founder of BestBookSummaries.com. He is an avid book reader. After reading 100+ book summaries and 80+ books, he realized book summaries can help him choose better books. He writes about interesting book summaries, reading tips, the best books to read, and everything related to books!