How to improve concentration - 10 tips to stay focused 20 05 24
1) What is concentration?
Concentration is a simple ability to direct your mental efforts towards something in hand at the moment. It could be some work assigned to you or anything you are trying to learn at that time. People often confuse concentration with attention span, but attention span refers to the length of time you can concentrate on something.
2) What are the factors that affect concentration?
Various factors like age or lack of sleep may affect the ability of people to concentrate. Any form of brain or head injuries or any form of mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can also affect concentration. Some common lifestyle factors that can affect concentration include:
· Lack of sleep
· Lack of physical activity
· Stress
· Tiredness
· Hunger
As people age, the issue of decreased concentration is also followed by memory loss.
3) How to improve concentration?
From following certain focus exercises and eating the right food to physical activity and practicing mindfulness, there’s a whole lot you can do to improve concentration and focus.
1. Focus exercises
Indulging in activities like crossword puzzles, reading, chess, memory games, word searches, or brain-training games can help improve concentration over time. Spending 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, on any brain training activity can enhance concentration. Brain training games can aid in developing your working and short-term memory, alongside helping develop your processing and problem-solving skills.
2. Minimize distractions
An environment that is full of distractions is bound to make you lose your concentration. Try eliminating distractions by working in a quiet, clutter-free environment and by avoiding multitasking. When we try our hands at various tasks altogether, we tend to lose focus. “Handle one task at a time to avoid spreading your attention too thin”.
3. Set specific goals
When we start our day and look at one big task or challenge that has to be done, we are left feeling overwhelmed. An anxious mindset can never focus on any task at any given point in time. “Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts and set clear objectives to stay on track”.
4. Practice mindfulness
Sitting meditation, which involves focusing on our breath and letting go of unwanted thoughts, helps us concentrate better in general life. This practice, along with some deep breathing techniques, can amplify our concentration ability, helping our brain focus better.
5. Take regular breaks
Short breaks can prevent burnout and help refresh your mind for better concentration. When we are working constantly without taking those much-needed breaks in between, we reach the stage of burnout very soon. And, with an exhausted mind, it will become harder to focus. So, make sure to take those small breaks to clear out that haze in your mind.
6. Make exercise a priority
Physical activity improves cognition function and can enhance concentration. Increased concentration is among the several benefits of persistent exercise. Daily physical activity can help better both concentration and attention after barely 4 weeks.
7. Get enough sleep
Being sleep deprived can hinder your concentration and affect cognitive functions like memory and attention. Being too weary can also slow down your reflexes, affecting your ability to drive or perform other daily tasks. A pressing day, health issues, and other factors can make it hard for you to get quality sleep at night. But you must aim for 6-9 hours of quality sleep every night to ensure your brain is well-rested and can concentrate effectively.
8. Stay organized
If you plan your day well ahead in advance, you will function better. Use planners or digital tools to organise tasks and prioritize your workload.
9. Stay hydrated and eat healthy food
The foods you consume have a direct impact on cognitive functions like concentration and memory. Try to eliminate processed foods, excess sugar, and very greasy or fatty foods from your diet. Try eating more foods like fatty fish, eggs, and vegetables to accentuate concentration. Alongside, staying hydrated can also positively impact your concentration.
10. Drink caffeine
If remaining off caffeine is your lifestyle preference, you can refrain from consuming it. However, there is research that suggests that having caffeine may improve your attention and focus. If you are sensing your concentration levels dropping, then consider having a cup of coffee or green tea. If caffeine is something you avoid, you can have a serving of dark chocolate which may offer similar benefits if you don’t relish caffeinated drinks.
Try inculcating these tips to improve your concentration levels and see the difference!
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