Featured in GQ, 30 September 2026. Words by Arielle Domb.
GQ asked experts how to get more out of reading when our attention is under constant pressure. Naya’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Will Dawson, set out the science behind a few simple habits that help the brain hold on to what you read.
His first tip is about timing. Research suggests that learning something in the evening, sleeping on it and revisiting it the next morning can halve the time it takes to relearn it, with better recall months later. He also recommends reading before a heavy meal, since the blood sugar dip after simple carbohydrates can leave you foggy.
Movement helps too. “10 minutes of very light exercise before reading can actually sharpen your memory,” Dr Dawson told GQ, adding that a walk in green space restores attention far more than a walk through busy streets.
It’s the thinking behind our behaviour pillar at Naya Health: sleep, movement and daily routine are measurable inputs into how well your brain works.
