The ability to concentrate and focus despite distraction, boredom or fatigue is a skill that requires a lot of self-discipline. Can you focus on a task no matter what is going on around you or do you find your mind wandering away?
1. Train your brain
Playing certain types of games can help you get better at concentrating. try things like sudoku, crossword puzzles, chess or jigsaw puzzles.
A 2015 study of 4,715 adults suggests that spending 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, on brain training activities can improve concentration.
2. Improve your sleep pattern
Sleep deprivation can easily disrupt concentration, not to mention other cognitive functions, such as memory and attention.
Some tips for improving your quality of sleep include turning off your devices an hour before bed, keeping your room at a cool temperature, going to bed and getting up around the same time each day, even on weekends, as well as exercising regularly.
3. Mindfulness
“Mindfulness is about focusing attention on the present moment, and practicing mindfulness has been shown to rewire the brain so that attention is stronger in everyday life," says Kim Willment, a neuropsychologist.
A good habit to practice mindfulness is sitting still for a few minutes each day, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breathing, as well as the sounds and sensations around you.
4. Supplements
Concentration and brain function can be promoted by supplements that contain high amounts of nutrients and nootropics. Adaptogens like lion's mane or maca, nootropics like fish oil or ginseng, can help you improve your focus.*
*always check with a doctor before trying any supplements, especially if you have any health conditions or allergies*
5. Time control
When you make your to-do list, book a time slot on your calendar to do it, and stick to it.
Using methods like the Pomodoro Timer, for example, encourages you to work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four blocks of 25 minutes, you take a 15-minute break. This way, you can focus fully on a task for the allotted time and do something else in the breaks.
Focus on being productive instead of busy.
