We are easily distracted in this digital age. Information is ubiquitous, and we are feeling the need to deal with an expanding number of different types of information. It consumes our time and attention. One of the ills of our time is the inability to concentrate on the task at hand—everyone wants to know how to focus better, and how to concentrate. However, the benefits of improved concentration and focus make it a worthwhile issue to address.
What is concentration?
It is the ability to focus the mind on one subject, object, or concept while excluding all other unrelated thoughts, ideas, feelings, and sensations from the mind. Our everyday routine is controlled by toggling between mobile phones and computers. We are constantly bombarded with messages from WhatsApp, email, Telegram, and a half-dozen more apps that are essential to our job. We are continuously looking for knowledge to help us solve our daily challenges or complete our tasks. Distractions have an impact on productivity. It takes longer to complete a task. We forget things or are unable to recollect information quickly, which has an impact on our personal lives and professional image.
Factors Affecting Concentration
Internal and external or environmental factors both influence concentration. If you want to learn how to enhance your focus and memory, you should first understand what’s getting in your way.
Distraction: While accomplishing something, we are overwhelmed by a steady flow of information, both new and old. Researchers discovered that our brains are so wired for distraction that even looking at our smartphones hinders our capacity to concentrate. We are continually evaluating whether the information is valuable, adequate, or meaningless.
Inadequate sleep: Sleep deprivation has been linked to decreased alertness, slower mental processes, and decreased concentration, according to research. You will have more difficulty concentrating and may become disoriented.
Physical inactivity: When you do not engage in physical activity, your muscles can get stiff. You may experience neck, shoulder, and chest tightness, and such continuous, low-level discomfort can impair your attention.
Eating habits: What we eat affects how we feel throughout the day, especially our mental sharpness and clarity. We begin to feel symptoms such as memory loss, weariness, and lack of attention if we do not properly fuel our brains.
Surroundings: Depending on what you’re doing, the environment can have an impact on your ability to focus. Excessive noise is a concern, but many individuals have difficulties concentrating when it is too quiet.
All of these factors can have an impact on your concentration. They are, thankfully, all addressable.
Ways for Improving Concentration
Remove any distractions.
Make it a habit to set aside time in your calendar to complete a specific task or activity. During this time, ask to be left alone or go to an area where others are unlikely to bother you, such as a library, a coffee shop, or a private room. Close social media and other apps, turn off notifications and store your phone in a bag or backpack. Keep Your primary goal is to fulfill the tasks at hand. Turning off both internal and external distractions can help you focus.
Reduce your multitasking.
Attempting to complete numerous tasks at once makes us feel productive. It’s also a recipe for decreased focus, concentration, and productivity. Lower productivity might also lead to burnout.
Mindfulness and meditation should be practiced.
Meditating or engaging in mindfulness activities can increase well-being, mental fitness, and focus. Our brain calms down and our entire body relaxes throughout the meditation process.
Take a short break.
This may also appear strange, but when you focus on something for an extended period, your focus may begin to fade. You may find it increasingly difficult to focus your attention on the activity at hand.
Exercise.
Begin your day with some little exercise to get your body moving. This is another method for improving your concentration.
Physical activity helps to relax muscles and reduce stress in the body. Because the body and mind are so inextricably linked, when your body feels better, so will your mind.
Eat healthily.
Choose foods that help to keep blood sugar stable, energy levels up, and the brain running smoothly. Fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber diets can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Reduce sugary foods and drinks that trigger sugar spikes and dips, making you dizzy or tired. To function effectively, your brain needs a lot of healthy fat.
Make a daily priority list.
Write out what you want to do each day, ideally the night before, and choose a single goal to focus on. This can help you focus your mind on what is important, tackling the larger duties first and leaving the minor details for later.
It is not possible to learn how to improve concentration overnight. The first step toward improving your concentration is to identify how it affects your life. There are numerous strategies to boost your concentration, such as using timers, making a workplace, listening to music, switching jobs, and so on. Learning how to concentrate at work is critical for job and life success. You will find that by strengthening your concentration, you will be able to do more of what you value while feeling better about yourself.
Featured Image Source: The Good Men ProjectGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
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