“Focus” is a topic that gets a lot of attention in discussions about personal development, and rightfully so. The ability to focus is essential to learning and growth, because it ensures that you aren’t distracted during key parts of the learning process. Without concentration, mistakes, failures, and miscommunication are bound to occur. To avoid increasing the likelihood of these occurrences, we’re on a mission to fix your focus.
The Foundation of Focus
The first way to fix your focus is to identify what’s diminishing it to begin with. There are many underlying causes for lack of focus, not including actual diagnosed medical conditions. This article on WebMD® states that the following factors can affect your focus:
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Consumption of foods high in sugar or fat
- Hunger
After figuring out which factors are most likely affecting your focus, you can move forward to the next step—strengthening your concentration.
Foster Your Focus
Because your sleep, stress, multitasking, and diet play such a large role in your focus, let‘s address these factors!
Sleep
If you‘re not getting enough sleep, it’s time to change that. Not just for your focus, but for your overall health, too! Here are a few tricks to increase quantity and quality of sleep:
- Go to bed earlier (we know—it’s a revolutionary idea).
- Expose yourself to bright light during the day (preferably the natural kind).
- Minimize blue light exposure before bedtime.
- Cut the caffeine out in the evening.
- Set a consistent sleep schedule.
- Reduce noise and light in your bedroom.
Stress
If stress is taking away from your focus, try these simple fixes to get back on track and refresh your concentration:
- Exercise more (this will also increase your quality of sleep).
- Consider vitamins and supplements that promote stress reduction.
- Set boundaries so you don’t overextend yourself.
Diet
Eating too late in the day plays a role in the quality of your sleep, which then affects your focus. But that’s not the only diet consideration to make when fixing your focus. These changes are sure to help increase your concentration in no time:
- Decrease your consumption of processed foods.
- Cut down on your sugar intake (especially added and unnatural sugars).
- Increase your consumption of foods containing healthy fats (e.g., salmon, trout, avocados, nuts, seeds).
- Eat proportionately to your health goals and energy usage.*
Focus-Friendly Environments
Create the perfect setting to focus your attention by finding an environment that supports concentration. A focus-enriched environment requires little to no distractions, and an ideal comfort–to–discomfort ratio.
Distractions
“Distractions” encompass internal and external forces. Take care of your internal distractions by making sure you are well rested, nourished, and stress-free. Then handle your external distractions by putting your phone away and picking a place that isn’t too busy, loud, or unpredictable. Don’t pick a fast-food restaurant next to a construction zone to focus. Pick a mellow coffee shop, library, bookstore, or botanical garden!
Comfort-to-Discomfort
When choosing an environment to help fix your focus, find one that is comfortable—but not too comfortable. Pick a place with an ambient temperature that won’t make you sweat or shiver. And ensure that it’s bright enough that you don’t need sunglasses or a flashlight. Find a space that’s comfortable enough that you’re not readjusting your position constantly, but also aren’t fighting to keep your eyelids open. You know, some places are just too nap-inducing to focus.
Finally, Focus.
Now that you’ve done everything you can to fix your focus, go concentrate in peace. We wish you the best of luck with whatever task you decide to take on using your undivided attention.
Want to make the most of that focus time?
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. You should consult a licensed health care professional before starting any supplement, dietary, or exercise program.
