I’m of the firm belief that any sort of addiction is unhealthy. We all love to engage in productive hobbies but if they some how move from hobby to addiction.
It’s certainly time to stand down and reassess.
We all lead different lives that require different things. A student for example will engage in excessive studying because they have no choice but to do so.
On the other hand, the everyday-adult could engage in obsessive reading which could later develop into an addiction
This is very common with novels.
People that tend to over-relate with a novel and its characters may find themselves re-reading it even after finishing it.
This could in turn make them junkies that need to be buried in a book at all times. This is reading addiction.
In this post I’m going to outline how you can combat reading addiction.
How to get rid of reading addiction
Below are some things you can do to cure your reading addiction.
Admit you have a problem
The very first step in overcoming reading addiction is admitting that you have an addiction.
It’s only when you realise your shortcomings that you can do something to improve.
Talk to a friend about how you feel about reading and your not so healthy attachment to it.
When you do this, you create the inner belief that you can do better and that is one of the important things you need for your recovery.
Prioritise recovery
Above all else, overcoming your reading addiction should be prioritised and this means doing everything you can to overcome the addiction as well as being mentally aware of it so you know when you need to fight it the most.
Being aware of when you’re at your weakest will allow you to be alert and vigilante.
Don’t read more than an hour a day
Reading addiction for most people tends to keep them engaged in a book the whole day.
This is certainly not healthy because there’s a life outside being a book worm.
To overcome your reading addiction, you need to avoid reading more than once a day. You’re of course not going to cold turkey overcome reading addiction, you’ll overcome it by lessening how often and how much you engage in it.
Socialize more
Most bookworms are introverts for a reason. They stay introverts and don’t go out into the world to meet new people or make friends.
As an addicted bookworm fighting to overcome their book addiction, it is important that you start to live life normally and allowing yourself to socialize more.
Socialising just doesn’t have to be done with new people, even your own family can be a great start.
Start dating
Yes I know, not quite the answer you expected to overcome your reading addiction. But I decided to add dating to the list of ways you can overcome reading for a reason.
Some people become addicted to reading because of loneliness. Not having anyone to spend time with can lead a person to seek out coping mechanisms.
Reading can start out as a harmless coping mechanism but it can soon turn into a full blown addiction.
Therefore, try and date people if you feel the need to fill the void of loneliness.
This of course won’t be the solution for everyone. You can make a friend as well and do fun things with them to create a healthy distance between you and books.
Don’t read before dealing with your priorities
Set priorities in your own life and work to achieve them. Only read when you have dealt with or have at least spent a reasonable amount of time doing so.
This way you can only read when there are no things to do on your to-do list.
Read only before bed
Another great way to lessen how much time you spend reading is to only read before bed.
Reading before bed is a fast and easy way to fall asleep which is why I recommend it.
If you’re trying to get rid of your addiction to reading you should consider only reading for 30 minutes before bed.
When you continuously do this, it will become a healthy habit and eventually replace your old way of doing things.
Find a new hobby
A new hobby can be a healthy way to overcome your addiction to reading.
My advice is that you pick a healthy habit like a sport, gaming or any other intellectually stimulating hobby that you can grow to like.
It will at least help you keep your mind off books and pre-occupied with something else.
Spend time with family
Family can be a great support system for addictions.
Explain to them how you feel about reading and that you would like to spend more time with them to get away from books.
They’ll be more than happy to help you by spending more time with you.
So don’t overlook family.
Get professional help
Therapy can be an important step in overcoming any form of addiction.
There are a lot of great therapists out there that can take you on as a patient and assist you in overcoming reading addiction.
Therapy can be very interesting as well as revealing because you could confront and realise what has been keeping your head buried in a book.
Establishing the root cause of your reading addiction can really help put your life back together as well as grow as a human being.
Go on vacation
Time away from the grind of everyday life can be important in not only overcoming your reading addiction but allowing yourself a break.
If you’re in a position to do so, go on vacation to allow yourself some time away from reading.
Ensure that you carry only one book or non at all and spend less than 10 minutes reading on your vacation.
Try and put yourself out there so you can leave your books behind.
Enjoy the vacation and try not to think of your reading situation.
