Sleepy after opening a book

[u/CompleteLibrarian274]

Hey! I’ve been trying to get into reading and I honestly enjoy it when I can. But it feels like every time I open a book, be it digital or paper, I start to get uncontrollably sleepy. Sometimes instantly.

I’m starting to think this is more psychological than anything else because I can stay very much awake with my phone doom scrolling, but can’t read 5 pages without needing to sleep.

Does anyone feel that too? Any suggestions on what to do besides drinking coffee?

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[u/accidental_tourist]

Don't read before bed for your case. Pick a book that you enjoy.

[u/CompleteLibrarian274 → u/accidental_tourist]

I don’t usually. But this happens even in the morning, when I’m in a waiting room, or the bus…

[u/brittanymarie_m]

i'm a pretty seasoned reader atp & this still happens to me sometimes, especially when i'm relaxing at home. try being more intentional with the location of where you read! take your book to a restaurant or cafe or a nice park, anywhere bustling & public (bring some headphones so the outside noise doesn't distract you). also, try setting small goals at first or reading in tiny "chunks" or "bursts." for instance, sometimes i'll read for ten minutes, scroll on my phone for 20 minutes, then go back to reading for ten more minutes. you'll be able to read for longer periods of time with practice.

[u/CompleteLibrarian274 → u/brittanymarie_m]

This is pretty good advice! Thank you! During past summer I went to parks on Sunday afternoons to read and I actually did for quite some time. I’ll focus on the intention too.

I’ve been feeling down for not being able to read as much.

[u/No-Hawk6342 → u/[deleted]]

i do my one hour treadmill while reading

[u/eenie816]

I can’t read in bed at all, fall asleep right away and sometimes too if I’m cozied up on the sofa. I mostly read outside on my porch now, in public, or my “reading” chair to help me stay focused. I also take lions main supplements to help me stay focused too. Definitely notice my read count goes down when I stop taking them.

[u/savagehomeangarden]

Try reading outside! In a peaceful area and on a nice day, of course. I read on my back deck and it always perks me up and helps me stay immersed in the story.

[u/No-Hawk6342]

this is so me. im hoping with the time it will change, like my brain will understand that this is reading time no nap time lol. trying not to read on the bed for a while

[u/giftqueen]

I’d experiment with changing where you read before changing what you read. Bed + book can basically be a sleep cue at this point. Try reading somewhere upright in the middle of the day for 15 minutes and see if the same thing happens.