Harden Elkington
In today’s environment, having the ability to focus on a single task is practically a superpower.
Consider all of the distractions we face from our digital devices alone: social media applications with direct messaging and alerts, phone calls and voice mails, text messages, news, numerous email accounts, games, music, and more – all vying for our attention.
Another major distraction is the constant flow of information, which can be overwhelming.
The more information we have at our fingertips, the less able we are to focus our concentration on a single task since it’s constantly being pulled in multiple directions.
In this article, we will share with you my top tips and advice on how to improve your focus and concentration naturally.
Improve your focus
Keep your energy level high
Your ability to focus relies on how much energy you have at any given time, since your mental acuity is linked to the amount of energy you use while working or studying.
When your mind begins to tire or wander, this means that some of your mental power has drained away, making it more difficult to stay on task.
If you feel your energy level is low, take a break by walking around or eating something before returning to the task at hand.
Stay hydrated
Did you know that being dehydrated can cause headaches and fatigue? The brain operates in water so it’s important to keep it hydrated.
Sometimes when we experience a headache, our body is actually telling us that we need to drink some water.
Furthermore, if you have been drinking alcohol, your brain will be dehydrated and therefore unable to focus properly. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day in order to stay hydrated.
Meditate
Meditation is an effective way to achieve a sense of calm and peace, which is conducive to being able to focus.
Guided meditations are a particularly effective way of learning how to quiet one’s mind, allowing us to reach a relaxed state where we can open up our awareness.
It takes practice but after a while, you will find that meditation can naturally increase your ability to focus on the task at hand.
Exercise regularly
Exercising has many benefits, including higher energy levels and brain function improvement.
Engaging in physical exercise also allows us to release excess tension that can be accumulated throughout the day, thus reducing mental fatigue.
Regular exercise will leave you feeling more energized throughout the day, making it easier to focus and concentrate for longer periods of time.
Avoid multitasking
Multitasking is a myth, as it has been proven that humans can only effectively do one thing at any given time.
If you find yourself constantly switching from one task to another, this means that you are having difficulty concentrating on any of them. If you want to perform better at your job, avoid trying to multitask and simply focus on doing one thing at a time.
Clear your mind
Before beginning the task at hand, make sure you set aside all distractions in order to clear your mind.
Clearing your headspace will allow you to think better and remember more of what you studied since your mind won’t be cluttered with unnecessary thoughts.
Take a break
Even if you feel like you can keep going forever, taking a 10-minute break every once in a while is crucial for maintaining focus.
The Pomodoro time management system is an effective way of breaking down your work into 25-minute sessions, followed by a 5-minute break.
Drink green tea or coffee
The caffeine in green tea and coffee can help increase your energy levels, allowing you to focus better on whatever task is at hand.
Aside from the boost of energy they provide, both beverages are also known for their antioxidant properties, protecting our brain cells against damage.
Ensure good sleeping habits
Not having enough sleep will result in feeling more tired throughout the day, which will eventually lead to a loss of brain function.
Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night in order to stay healthy and maintain focus on your tasks when awake.
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Control your breathing
Controlling our breathing is an effective way of staying calm and focused. When we feel stressed or overwhelmed, this usually manifests as shallow and irregular breathing.
By practicing deep diaphragmatic breathing, we can actively relax and regain a sense of peace.
Listen to binaural beats
Listening to binaural beats is a way of training our brain waves so that they sync with the frequency being played.
This allows us to access the state of mind that corresponds with that particular frequency, whether it’s focused awareness or deep relaxation.
I recommend you try out my custom-made Alpha-Theta binaural beats, which are especially good for concentration and focus.
Keep a positive attitude
Having a positive outlook is an important aspect of mental health. Having emotions of pessimism and anxiety will only make it harder to focus because we will be subconsciously worrying about unnecessary things.
Make sure you surround yourself with positive people and avoid stressful situations as much as possible.
Conclusion
Maintaining concentration and focus is crucial for completing our everyday tasks. While there are many factors that influence how well we can focus, following these 12 tips will go a long way towards helping you stay focused throughout the day.
What are your personal tricks for improving your attention span? Share them in the comments section below!
