How can I stop being lazy and learn to read for long periods of time?

Read.

Seriously, pick up a book and read it up until you start getting distracted by other things/thoughts. Incorporate that in your daily routine, even if it's just for a few minutes. After a while, you'll find out that reading becomes easier and faster for you, and you'll want to spend more time with a book.

Things that can help:

• don't set yourself up for failure. You might hear people saying they set a goal for reading 100 books in a year, or some other crazy milestone. You say, great, that's what I'll do too, then you realize it's unachievable and quit. Instead set a goal to read for like 1 hour per week, or get through 1 chapter per day, or read 10 pages a day. You just need to be consistent, you don't have to go in hard. Also, don't make yourself reading lists or start with big book series. Just pick up something interesting, and when you are done (whenever that point comes), pick up something else that's interesting, etc.
• don't stick with reading a book to the end. If you don't like a book, put it down and start reading something else. Don't feel guilty about it, even if everyone else says it's an amazing book. You can always come back to it some other time when you feel it.
• you can start with reading light and entertaining books, such as fiction, as that is generally easy to get into, particularly if the book is a short novel, or has a flowing and simple writing style. Short story collections can be even more convenient, as you can set yourself the goal of reading one per day, which is easily achievable and doesn't require much time commitment. Sherlock Holmes compendiums are pretty good for this kind of reading.
• find ways to include books in your routine. Like reading for a few minutes before bed, or taking a book with you in the pooper. You can also listen to audiobooks while commuting to work or doing house chores.
• avoid going straight to the "classics" and instead read things you know you'll like and be engrossed by.
• reading is like a muscle. It gets better with practice. It gets weaker with neglect. Working it is harder at first, then becomes easier with training.

Don't think of yourself as lazy, think of yourself as someone caught up in a competition for your attention.

Those things in your life that draw you away from from reading (games, short form content, scrolling, etc) are simply intentionally designed to win over your time.

Some users will suggest different mediums that are designed to convey the same or similar information- but these mediums have their short comings in regards to learning and I've become of the opinion that the medium changes the message.

What has worked for me, and may work for you is finding ways to make these other things in life less competitive.

That may mean cancelling entertainment services / closing accounts. That may mean implementing physical barriers that make it harder to default away from your book. That may mean literally leaving your devices in another location while you retreat to read somewhere else.

These things are difficult and require experimentation, but the dividends from your effort will never stop paying out.

Read fiction books that are easier to read whether you might enjoy fantasy, romance, sci-fi, speculative, or whatever. These books will help you build a tolerance toward reading and allow you to have an easier time reading non-fiction and more academically written books.

I have anxiety. What helps me the most is not using the phone. This is only me mind you and I am not giving this as a general advice. But I cope with anxiety by wasting time on my phone since its highly stimulating and it keeps my mind away from being anxious a little bit. Reading is low stimulus by comparison and my mind keeps racing back and forth when I read. If I stop carrying my phone with me for extended periods of time I find reading to become much more tolerable. It isn't something I am able to keep doing for extended periods of time but when I do it helps.

• Remove obstacles: don't have a library card but it's an option? get a library card; having too much trouble deciding what to read? find a recommended reading list and go from there
• Set up an environment for it if possible: ideally somewhere quiet with minimal distractions, where you can have good sitting posture and good lighting; if you're reading digitally, see if you can get an e-ink device, which is more similar to reading from paper; make sure your internal state is ok too, e.g. hydrated, sleeping alright, have sufficient time to read so you won't feel rushed etc.
• Read what's more appealing first: too dense and melting your brain? try reading something else and see if it's more engaging. use that to build motivation toward reading other things.

Remember, it's not about willpower, it's about transitioning to a way of doing things that better facilitates reading for longer and more consistently. Laziness points at willpower and implies you're choosing not to use it. But you obviously have a desire to do it, so that can't be the whole problem. Something, or things, are in the way.

A great example of this kind of thing which pertains to exercising, not reading, but is similar in spirit. I remember this streamer/youtuber who had a treadmill he could use while playing video games at his computer. By having the treadmill right there, he was far more likely to do exercise. Whereas if he had it off to the side, it was easy to not get around to it.

I would recommend experimenting with audio books and podcasts. I thought I was lazy for the longest time for struggling to do chores but I discovered podcasts years ago and discovered that I was just bored lol.
Try listening to Marx Madness or an audiobook of State & Revolution while doing dishes or something and see how you feel.

First off, stop thinking of yourself as lazy. You’re likely getting burnt out from reading. Try reading comic books that are really fun; afterwards read a mildly complex book like Sacred Terrible Air. Then check the clock to time yourself on reading. From there you can start scheduling the blocks of time for you to just read books.

It’s just like learning about any other art form like music or animation.

Here’s a link to the 80’s Doom comics to get you started.

Read something you enjoy. Eliminate distractions (turn your phone on silent and put it outside of your reach). If reading difficult material try to do it in a structured way, take notes or highlight important passages. Have a drink or a snack nearby. Taking a break every couple of hours is also healthy.

But also understand that not being able to read for long periods of time is not the same as being lazy. Some people just don't have the time or the mental energy after being exhausted from work.

I've had periods in my life where i would regularly read for 6 or more hours a day easily and not even notice how much time has passed, but i also have periods where i am unable to dedicate any time at all some days, or have to consciously make an effort to set at least an hour or two aside.

Good exercise & soft fascination (e.g. looking at tree canopy, spot birds etc, & views while hiking). Nutritionally intermittent fasting & not spiking blood sugar, getting potassium, protein, fiber, iron, antioxidants, and omega 3s generally solves dietary problems

Yeah read like they said

incrementally. start at whatever you can read now, 10 min 20 min whatever. then increase by 5 min every few days

Its hard for me too to do long reads, i got social media brainrot and im sure covid brain doesnt help. Now I do two things to help my focus and retention.

First I try to be an active listener/reader and take notes, or listen to audiobooks with readalong highlighted text (such as Natural Reader). It helps me stay focused and increases my comprehension a lot. I also use obsidian note taking app when i really want to absorb the text.

Also, im changing my habits. i'm learning how to pick up long read habits that meet my scrolling/short read habits. So even though i spend only a shorter time reading, i read more often. After 5-15 min I may switch to review notes, switch focus to another text, or write some, and then come back to the text until im done, switching it up when i get too distracted. If im anxious i do chores or go for a walk, have tea then come back to it. And it doesnt matter whether i read it completely or not.

This helps me feel its more casual and i get the sort of dopamine id have for short form content by focusing on several processes at a time. And lately i notice i can do longer sessions, 30-40 minutes.

Have a set timeslot for reading, and during that time slot turn off your phone and laptop. You should let the only engaging thing to do be reading for the whole duration.

See a therapist. It’s been a big help to me