Mindful Reading: At the Intersection of Mindfulness and Reading

Has the state of the world, the chaos in your home, and the overall dark cloud hanging over 2020 got you down? We talk a lot about self-care and how important it is. So, this is a good time to talk about Mindful Reading as another self-care tool in the toolbox.

And yep, it’s a thing. At the intersection of mindfulness and reading, you will find ‘mindful reading’. An actual concept I always believed in as an avid reader simply because mindfulness and reading, separately, were ways I dealt with being stressed, overworked, or anxious. And let’s face it, aren’t we all to some extent stressed, overworked, and anxious?

What Mindful Reading is NOT…

Mindful reading is different from just reading. Many of us read as part of our jobs, to race through news, or even to speed read your monthly book club book, just to get to the main points so you can participate over a glass of wine at book club.

Another thing mindful reading is not, is mindfulness. The value of practicing mindfulness is to clear your mind of all thoughts, while focusing only on your breath. If you have tried it or practice mindfulness you know how challenging it is and how incredible the benefits are.

What Mindful Reading IS…

Now that we know what mindful reading is NOT, let’s look at what mindful reading is, according to Mindful.org, Reading in a mindful way, “Slows down the reader and the reading — that alone changes the experience.

It is a process of quiet reflection that requires mindful attentiveness, letting go of distracting thoughts and opinions to be fully in the moment with the text. It moves the reader into a calm awareness, allowing for a more profound experience and understanding.” I highly recommend you check out this article that contains Three Simple Mindfulness Practices You Can Use Every Day.

Why You Should Try It

By reading mindfully, slowly, and with intention, we make space in our otherwise busy mind for feelings, ideas, and interpretations of the text. And by doing so, we end up miles away from our own distractions and anxieties. “Reading can take our mind off a well-trodden path of worry, stress, anxiety.

It doesn’t have to be a self-help book, it can be anything that takes us away, puts us in the moment” (Source: Mindfulness Through Reading )

How to Read Mindfully

According to the New York Times article, How To Be Mindful When Reading, start with setting aside a quiet, uninterrupted time and space to read. Next, consider reading traditional books, as the act of turning the pages will intentionally slow you down. When your mind wanders, gently prompt yourself to return to the text, re-reading if you need to.

A Few Tips

• Choose a book you want to get lost in. That could be a self-help book, a classic you have been dying to re-read, or the latest best-seller. It matters less, what you read, and more how you read.
• Setting is everything. Choose your spot carefully. Is it the hammock, the comfiest chair with a blanket, or the bathtub? Light a candle, turn off all electronics and slip away into the world of your book.
• Schedule your mindful reading time. You deserve it, so make time for yourself and get lost in a book!

On the Web

Every week I will be posting a 10-minute tutorial on YouTube, on a topic related to executive function and the science and psychology of learning, as well as ways you can develop personally and professionally while focusing on your own Executive Functions. 

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for the latest updates! 

As a part of The Executive Function Project, our weekly blogs will explore executive functions, providing valuable insights into their impact on both professional and personal development. Join me on this enriching journey and be sure to stay tuned with our weekly blog posts. 

Visit my blog page to learn more! 

Let’s Connect on Socials

Instagram: @dr.dawn.matera 

Facebook: Dr. Dawn Matera 

Linkedin: Dawn Matera, Ed.D. 

Pinterest: Dr. Dawn Matera 

Website: www.drdawnmatera.com