You’re busy, and you have a million things going on. That doesn’t mean you can’t find some time to read!

Reading is one of the best ways to improve your thinking skills and learn new things.

Want to know the secret to fitting in more time with your books?

10 Ways Busy People Take the Time to Read Every Day

They take advantage of commutes.

If you take public transportation to work, use that time to catch up on your reading.

Drive to work? Listen to an audiobook.

Don’t have a long commute? No problem. You’d be surprised at how quickly these reading minutes add up! Five or ten minutes can be enough to get through a few pages.

You don’t have to lug around a book everywhere, either. If you own a Kindle, add the Kindle app to your phone. That way, you can read books on the go without taking your e-reader. Two alternatives to the Kindle app for phones are Google Play Books and Apple Books.

If you’re a library card holder, download Libby or Overdrive to access digital libraries from your phone.

It doesn’t matter which app you use; it only matters that you have books on hand for commutes and long waits!

You might like The Best Headphones for Listening to Audiobooks.

They take time to read before bed.

The evening hours can be long and hectic. Taking the time to read before bed can help you unwind and ease you into a restful night’s sleep.

Many people like to scroll social media before bed, but staring at screens can hurt your sleep quality. The blue light from screens suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone essential for a good night’s sleep.

Spending too much time in front of screens can keep you awake longer and make it harder to fall asleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try avoiding screens for a couple of hours before bedtime.

The important thing is that you take some time to disconnect from the outside world and give yourself a chance to relax.

Next time you feel stressed out before bed, try reaching for a book instead of your phone. You might find that it makes a difference in the quality of your sleep!

Another alternative for the late evening is audiobooks! Bluetooth Sleep Headbands make this comfortable (see my favorites below).

They read during breakfast or on their lunch break.

Why should you take the time to read while eating breakfast or lunch? After all, isn’t it more important to focus on the food?

There are several benefits to reading while you’re eating.

For one thing, it can help you to slow down and savor your meal. When focused on reading, you’re less likely to devour your food without tasting it or overeating.

In addition, reading can also help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.

If you take a few minutes to read during your meals, you may enjoy your food more and feel more relaxed overall.

Busy People Take Time to Read by Scheduling It Into Their Day.

Let’s face it; we’re all busy. Some of the most active people I know are also some of the most well-read.

If Bill Gates and Obama can make time for books, you can too. How do they do it? They make reading a priority by scheduling it into their day.

Whether it’s 15 minutes before bed or on their lunch break, they take the time to read every day. Pick a time and stick to it, whether during a commute, lunch, early evening, or before bed.

The next time you say you don’t have time to read, think again. We all have time to read if we make it a priority.

Busy People Take Advantage of Down Time by Reading for 10-15 Minutes Here or There.

Downtime is important. It’s when we can finally relax and recharge after a long day of work or school. Should we watch TV? Work on a hobby? Or maybe scroll through social media for a while?

Well, if you’re looking for a productive way to use your downtime, why not try reading?

Just 10-15 minutes of reading can help improve your focus, concentration, and memory. It can also reduce stress and anxiety and increase empathy and emotional intelligence.

They read digitally across all their mobile devices. 

No matter how busy they are, successful people find time to read. They understand that reading helps them learn and grow and that it’s essential to be well-informed and knowledgeable.

In today’s digital world, there’s no excuse for not being able to find time to read. It’s never been easier to fit reading into a busy schedule.

With e-readers and other mobile devices, you can easily read digital books and articles wherever you are.

So if you’re looking for an edge in your career, or want to learn more about the world, make sure to set aside some time each day to read digitally. You’ll be glad you did!

You might also like Why Participate in a Buddy Read?

Busy People Take Time to Read by Settings a Goal Per Reading Session.

Busy people set a goal for each reading session.

Setting a goal will help you stay focused and make the most of your limited time. Your goal can be five pages, ten pages, or even just a chapter. It can also be time-based (five, ten, or 20 minutes).

And once you start seeing the benefits of reading, you’ll be motivated to find even more time for it.

A word of caution: Don’t make lofty reading goals. A little goes a long way!

A fun place to set reading goals online is Goodreads. Goodreads is a website and mobile app with a vast library of books where you can track your progress and connect with other readers. With Goodreads, you can even set a reading challenge for yourself.

It’s also fun to log books in a tracker journal or on a special bookmark.

@mamabookwormreads

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They Trade TV or Social Media Time for Reading Time.

I’m not saying you have to trade in your Netflix subscription for a library card (although, seriously, give books a chance!). But if you need to take a break from staring at screens all day, try trading some of your TV or social media time for reading.

It’s a great way to relax and unplug from the constant stream of news and information.

Plus, reading can be educational, thought-provoking, and just plain fun.

So next time you’re looking for something to do, consider picking up a book instead of scrolling through your TikTok feed. You might find it’s the best decision you’ve made all day.

You might like How to Focus on Audiobooks Like a Pro.

They Join or Start a Book Club to Make Reading a Social Activity.

By joining or starting a book club, reading is a social activity. You can catch up with friends while getting lost in a good book. And you don’t have to worry about finding the time to read too much because book clubs can meet once a month, season, or twice a year.

So whether you’re looking for an excuse to chat with friends or want to take some time to relax with a good book, joining a book club is the perfect solution.

Don’t know of any in-real-life clubs?

Try an online book club like The Bookish Type, The Reading Room, Shelfari, and Oprah’s Book Club.

They Own an E-Reader or Have an Audible Subscription.

One of the best ways to fit reading into a busy schedule is to get an e-reader.

E-readers are convenient because they allow you to carry many books wherever you go. Many e-readers have features that will enable you to adjust the font size and page layout to make reading easier and faster.

Keeping a book with you at all times means that you’ll always have something to read when you have a few spare minutes. Whether waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting in the doctor’s office, you can always pull out your book and get some reading done.

The Kindle app also syncs your digital library with your phone.

So there you have it! Ten ways busy people take the time to read every day. I hope at least one of these tips will work for you.

Do you have other suggestions on how busy people can make time for reading? Let me know in the comments below, and subscribe to my newsletter, so you don’t miss future posts like this one.