Clinical Scorecard: Reigniting the Habit of Reading in Adulthood: A Guide

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Reading reduces stress, increases creativity, and boosts empathy.
• Starting with enjoyable, manageable books helps re-establish reading habits.
• Setting a routine and using various formats (physical, e-books, audiobooks) supports habit formation.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Identify barriers such as fatigue, time constraints, or loss of habit.

Management

• Choose books that are joyful and not overly dense or lengthy.
• Set a daily reading routine, e.g., reading five pages during breaks or before bed.
• Use distraction-free environments and consider alternative formats like audiobooks.
• Engage with social reading activities or challenges if motivating.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Track reading progress using social media lists or reading trackers like StoryGraph.
• Adjust reading choices if a book feels burdensome; it is acceptable to skip.

Risks

• Potential frustration or loss of motivation if reading feels pressured or burdensome.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Adults seeking to restart or increase reading for pleasure

Starting with enjoyable, shorter books and integrating reading into daily routines enhances adherence and enjoyment.

Clinical Best Practices

• Avoid starting with dense nonfiction or very long books to prevent discouragement.
• Leverage library resources and recommendation tools like NoveList for personalized book suggestions.
• Incorporate reading into daily schedules and minimize distractions.
• Use audiobooks and e-books for convenience and multitasking opportunities.
• Participate in social or community reading events to increase motivation.
• Allow flexibility to skip books that do not engage interest to maintain positive reading experiences.

References

• AP Be Well Coverage
• Libby App for Library E-books and Audiobooks