## The Attention Economy We live in a world designed to steal our attention. Short-form videos (TikTok, Reels) have shortened our attention spans, making it difficult to focus on deep work or long conversations. Reading is the antidote. ### The Science of Reading Reading requires "deep reading" processes. You have to visualize scenes, remember characters, and follow complex arguments. * **Stress Reduction:** A study by the University of Sussex found that reading for just 6 minutes can reduce stress levels by 68%, more than listening to music or taking a walk. * **Empathy:** Reading fiction places you inside the mind of another person, increasing your capacity for empathy and emotional intelligence in the real world. ### Building the Habit If you haven't read a book in years, don't start with "War and Peace." Start with something engaging and fast-paced. **The Rule:** Read 10 pages before you sleep. Put the phone in another room. In a year, that is 3,650 pages—roughly 12 books. Small habits compound into massive results.