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How to deal with understimulation while reading?
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Make a schedule thats what helps me
I like to listen to music! it has to be a song I know super well cuz if I don't know exactly how it goes it distracts me and I can't stay focused on the book but if it's already cemented in my brain it can fade into background noise while still helping my brain stay engaged
I'm also autistic so I know exactly what you're talking about :( its not the perfect solution but it works better than nothing
Ya I have Aspergers and a mixture of ADHD/ADD. Music helps but also a schedule helps
Not sure how this would intersect with being autistic, but I've been using a sleep/ambient noise app while I read for years. And for the really tedious passages, having something to chew on has helped me focus.
Agreeing with Spencer and Asher. I'd also like to mention, I take frequent music breaks from books but I always wait until I'm at an actually good part of the book that interests me before I stop to take a break. That way I can stimulate myself with the music and then after I pause it my thoughts will drift back to "huh I wonder what's about to happen in the book" and motivate me to pick it back up again. I personally cannot concentrate if I have music on while I'm reading so this is the next best option. I do however like a little bit of ambiance, and find that lighting a wooden wick candle while I'm reading gives me a little something extra that I can grab on to (either staring at the flame flickering or listen to it popping and sizzling) if I'm understimulated while reading without it actually distracting me
I also have TV on in the background or a podcast. I always need some type of background noise
I listen to soft music while I have a sound machine/fan going or I’ll listen to an audiobook while I do something to keep me busy like playing a repetitive game or drawing. Sometimes I’ll even clean while listening so I can focus on the book
As somebody who has (undiagnosed) ADHD, I completely relate to this! For me, having a constant flow of tea helps. I usually make myself a pot up so I don't need to keep getting up to make a fresh cup. Having a cat sat on my knee is also good, because who wants to disturb a sleeping kitty?I personally can't read fiction with background noise, I find it too distracting!
hi! i wanted to thank you all so much for the tips and for those sharing their experiences!! they’ve helped me a lot and i appreciate it a ton!
while reading usually I just do it when I'm really tired before bed because I don't need something that stimulating to hold my attention because I'm tired. Another idea I haven't tried is listening to an audiobook while drawing/doing some task. I'm also autistic so I understand what you're saying it's a struggle I have too.
@Spencer Sure...just don't listen to classical. It can get very unpredictable,and I can say this as a classical music enthusiast. 😅
Kinda late but i have adhd and I struggle with underwhelming books. I'm slow and new to reading as well, so books tend to take a while. One thing that helps me is that I tell myself to read x amount of pages a day if I can (i.e. 15 pages) or I try to imagine whats going on an add it to my daydreams, with this I may read a page and then incorporate that into my little autocosm
Jack wrote: "@Spencer Sure...just don't listen to classical. It can get very unpredictable,and I can say this as a classical music enthusiast. 😅"I LOVE classical music!
@Raven Seriously? Well, we will need to have a conversation on the topic then! ^w^
I listen to Lofi Girl on YT and Spotify! Whether it’s Synthwave or Lofi, it helps me focus and set the mood in the book!
Case wrote: "I listen to Lofi Girl on YT and Spotify! Whether it’s Synthwave or Lofi, it helps me focus and set the mood in the book!"
Hmm...maybe I will give that an attempt.
Hmm...maybe I will give that an attempt.
I’ve been struggling to keep my attention while reading for a couple of days now and it’s getting really annoying. I think my problem mostly is that I am understimulated and thus easily overwhelmed (i’m autistic) but I haven’t yet found anything that could help me. If anyone has experienced something like this before and has got any tips or advice I’d highly appreciate it! Hope y’all have a good day/night!!