Speed Reading Tips: How to Overcome the Problem of Falling Asleep by Speed Reading

Are you someone who often either wants to fall asleep or actually does fall asleep while you are trying read something more than a couple of paragraphs? I get this question, especially frequently from students or professionals who have a lot of in-depth reading to do. Many factors can lead to this problem. Learning to speed read in a dynamic approach can overcome this problem.

Here are some useful tips:

1. Position/Posture: Because reading, whether fast or slow, is a thinking skill, we need to shape our environment to best induce an alert mind. For example,
often I find students trying to study laying on a bed or couch. That type
of posture by itself suggests to the mind that it is time to relax and
sleep.

2. One of the keys to faster reading is actually moving your eyes faster. One of the habits of traditional reading is that we fixate (or stop) our eyes (and with it our mind) on individual words. That stopping is way longer than what the mind really needs in order to respond, or comprehend the word. However, merely trying to move your eyes faster will not eliminate the problem and may even make it worse. It is not just a matter of moving the eyes faster; it is a matter of using the eyes to move in a more natural dimensional way. Be sure to investigate a training program that uses your natural dimensional sight and focal area when learning this tactic of speed reading .

3. Move Faster: While getting your eyes to move faster and more efficiently, you also need to get your brain/mind active as well. Remember, reading is a thinking skill. Ask yourself, and notice what are you thinking about? If your mind is not focused on the meaning of the print, then you will again fall asleep. So constantly monitor your thinking. Very few speed reading programs focus on this aspect of reading comprehension.

4. Schedule your important in-depth reading when you are most alert during the day. Because reading is an individual activity, too often people put it off until they can get around to it. By the time that time comes, most people are ready to fall asleep.

5. Read with a sense of urgency. Set a time goal to read the piece that is somewhat of a push for you. Without setting any limits of time, you will easily slip back into the relaxed mode that causes you to fall asleep.

6. Insure Good Lighting: If reading from paper, bright light with no shadowing effects is required. If reading electronically, a dim background light with a brightly lit screen is helpful.

7. Use Proper Brain Fuel: When most people feel drowsy, their typical response is to "pep-up" with sugary snacks and foods. Although these foods may give a quick pick up, the energy burns off in a few minutes and leaves us feeling even more depleted. Whole fruits and juice is a better choice, especially when combined with a little protein.

8. Learn how to comprehend , especially while speed reading . Adults take reading comprehension for granted. Most speed reading programs also assume this critical skill needs little or no explanation. Reading for full comprehension is a process. Merely moving the eyes and reading word-by-word from the beginning of the text to the end does not mean the material is understood. Speed reading requires the learner to shift gears regarding comprehension.

Now that you have learned these seven powerful tips to help you overcome your sleepiness and how to read faster and better, I invite you find out more tips at: www.speedreadingtips.com