Start with proper posture and breathing
It’s hard to focus on anything if you’re uncomfortable. Before you start reading, make sure you are in a comfortable position, preferably sitting upright with your feet on the floor. It’s also essential to take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This breathing technique helps you relax and improves your concentration.
Eliminate distractions
Distractions are the enemies of speed reading. If you want to read faster, you need to create an environment free of distractions. Find a quiet place where you can concentrate. Turn off your phone or keep it on silent mode.
Avoid Subvocalization
Subvocalization is the habit of saying the words you’re reading out loud in your mind. It’s a natural tendency for most people, and it slows down your reading speed. To read faster, you need to eliminate subvocalization. Focus on the visual aspects of the words, such as their shape and size. Silently scan the words with your eyes instead of pronouncing them in your mind.
Use your peripheral vision
Most people read by focusing on one word at a time, which slows down their reading speed. However, if you can read groups of words at once, you can increase your reading speed. This technique is called peripheral vision. To do this, focus on the center of the text and try to extend your vision to the words on either side.
Practice
Speed reading is a skill that takes practice. Start by reading a book or any text at your pace. Then set a timer for ten minutes and try to read as much of the text as you can. Don’t worry comprehension or retention for now; focus on speed. Gradually increase your reading speed and comprehension with each practice session.
Use technology
Several apps and software programs are available to help you practice speed reading. These tools use technologies like Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP), which presents words one at a time at high speed. These apps also track your progress, giving you feedback on your reading speed and comprehension.
Read from a computer
When reading from a computer, tablet, or other electronic devices, you can adjust the font size, background color, and other settings to make reading more comfortable. Most devices also offer a reading mode that removes ads, pop-ups, and other distractions, allowing you to read without interruption.
Conclusion
Learning how to read faster is an essential skill that can help you in several aspects of life. By following the tips above, you’ll be able to read faster and with greater comprehension. Remember, speed reading takes practice, so keep at it until you master the skill. With time, you’ll be amazed at how much you can read in a shorter amount of time.