In today’s digitally-driven world, it’s easy to see why many people struggle to concentrate on tasks. Not only is our world more connected than ever before, but we also have addictive social media apps, TV shows, and games to keep us company when we’re alone.
Thankfully, being aware of the culprits behind poor concentration is a step toward solving the problem. If you get easily distracted and would like to escape the clutches of addictive activities, there are many ways you can prevent this and improve your focus.
Here are 5 ways to do just that
Remove distractions
If you struggle to focus, there may be a high chance that you’re addicted to social media. Prevent distractions by muting notifications on your phone. It’s also helpful to place your phone at a location beyond your reach while you work.
Set up a time in your schedule for productive work and request that you be left alone for that duration. If this is impossible, you can find a quiet location such as a library or cafe to do work.
Set breaks
Taking breaks from work prevents burnout and helps you to rejuvenate yourself. The Pomodoro Technique is a method that can help you improve productivity through the practice of taking breaks.
It involves sitting down to work for a duration – which could be 25 or 50 minutes – and taking 5-minute long breaks in between this duration. Not only is this an effective way to boost your focus, but it can also help to improve your level of discipline.
Focus on one thing at a time
Although it may feel productive to multitask, it only results in poorer levels of concentration and less productivity. Instead of multitasking, focus on one task at a time. This improves your productivity because you’re able to focus all your attention on that particular task. It also prevents burnout. An example of multitasking is trying to listen to a podcast while sending an email.
Get more sleep
It’s one thing to be aware of the importance of quality sleep, and it’s another to know the factors that can affect your sleep. Research shows that the blue light emitted from electronic devices can stifle the secretion of melatonin – the hormone that induces sleep – thus making it harder to sleep. It’s also important to avoid eating or exercising close to bedtime. Start going to bed at the same time every day and using deep breathing exercises and meditation to calm your mind.
Train your brain
Research is increasingly showing that it is possible to train the brain of adults using certain stimulating activities to improve cognitive function, particularly focus. Such activities include jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, chess, maths, and brain-stimulating video games.
Featured Image Source: EntrepreneurGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com