How to improve concentration: Start focusing right now

In a non-stopping world, where it is often needed to manage different aspects of life on a daily basis—family, work, relationships, education, lifestyle and more — the topic of how to improve concentration has gained spotlight in the last decade. 

Let’s explore more on this topic furthermore, but firstly, we need to understand what is the so-called concentration:

What is concentration?

In the book “Sports Medicine on Science: Sport Psychology”, by Britton W. Brewer, he defines attention in three dimensions: the deliberate investment of mental effort, selective perception, and a form of mental time-sharing on which people can perform two or more skills equally well.

It’s insightful to understand that there are several faces to concentration. But, putting those fancy words aside, what is concentration or attention, and how do you know that you are lacking it, or how can you improve it? 

In short, concentration, also known as focus and attention, is defined by psychologists as the “ability to focus on one thing for a continuous period.” If you feel light-headed, for example, and can’t concentrate on everyday tasks, like work or studying, you can say that you lack concentration. You can also avoid your to-do list, find your mind sailing away to different places while doing something, and not hear what is being said to you, among other symptoms. 

In this following article, we will discuss the loss of focus and concentration and how to improve it naturally without taking medication. Check out the rest of the text. 

Loss of focus and concentration: Main causes

The loss of focus and concentration may be due to several reasons. But here is a list of possible causes for your need for more attention. With them, we can already presume how to sort out this cognitive issue:

• Lack of sleep
• Stress/anxiety
• Poor nutrition
• Medication side effects
•  Boredom
• Poor time management
• Poor study environment
• Lack of physical activity
• Over stimulation
• Excessive multitasking
• Other psychological disorders. 

How to improve concentration and focus

• Exercise often: According to research, aerobic, and meditation training can help improve cognition, attention, and mood. Firstly, it stimulates brain regions responsible for attention, executive functions, and memory. Additionally, it promotes neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to adjust and make new connections. Finally, it helps reduce stress and anxiety, which can also positively affect cognitive functions.
• Get some Sleep: As obvious as it sounds, sleep quality is also a key to better attention and concentration when awake. A study described that sleep is necessary to enable normal healthy cognitive functioning, although it may not be a way to cognitive enhancement. Sleeping in a reasonable hour, at lets 6 to 8 hours, helps your mind rest and regain strength for the next work day. 
• Remove Distractions: A straightforward way to focus more is to remove your distraction triggers, such as your phone, the television or other electronics that may be causing distractions. Please keep it simple and light to focus on your present task. 
• Make to do-lists and prioritize: Yes, making to-do lists and prioritizing can be a helpful way to stay focused and organized. You may be already doing it, but i’ts important to prioritize tasks to ensure that essential tasks are done first. This can help you stay on track and ensure tasks are completed efficiently.
• Try meditation: Meditation has been linked to improved attention and focus through several mechanisms. Meditation encourages relaxation and mindfulness, which can reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with focus and attention. Meditation also helps to improve concentration, as it enables focusing on one thing at a time rather than shifting quickly from task to task. 
• Work in periods of time (The Pomodoro Technique): The Pomodoro Technique is a famous time management method that can help improve productivity. It is based on breaking down tasks into timed intervals, usually 25 minutes long, with short breaks (5 minutes) or long breaks (15 minutes) in between. Breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks of time can help prioritize tasks and allow one to focus more on a single task at a time. 
• Careful with coffee and sweets:  Your blood sugar levels are important for cognitive functions. Caffeine and sugars can cause an increase in energy and alertness in the short term, but they can also lead to a crash in energy levels, making it harder to concentrate and work. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can provide sustained energy throughout the day and help improve focus.

Learn More about “procrastination supplements”, what each term means, and how to improve focus and concentration.

How to improve concentration with Noobrain    

As mentioned earlier, having a balanced diet can help you regain focus and energy to improve your cognitive performance in everyday life. Noobrain is a natural nutraceutical, developed with supplements that can help with cognition, attention, memory and overall brain health.