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How to Increase Your Ability to Concentrate

Being able to focus your attention on a single task through to its completion is essential. This ability helps you avoid mistakes and achieve more in your life. Studies show that when you focus your attention on one thing at a time you solve more problems, experience more success, and work more efficiently. 

Exercise More 

If you need to concentrate more effectively, exercise more often. Exercise improves your overall health and supplies more oxygen, as well as endorphins to your brain, which ultimately helps you focus on the task at hand.  

Eat Right 

Another aspect of good health is your diet. Find out what diet and eating habits work best for your productivity level. That may take some experimentation. When you find the right diet it’s easier to concentrate and you become more productive. 

Sleep Well 

Sleep is critical to your overall health including your ability to focus. In fact, it may be more important than almost anything else you do. Sleeping at least 7 to 9 hours a night is essential to improving your ability to concentrate. 

Eliminate Distractions 

When you try to focus on something, it helps to get rid of the things that might interrupt and distract you. Turn off devices and notifications. Ignore anything that isn’t an emergency. 

Stop Multitasking 

Outside of walking and talking and things like that, you really cannot do two things at once. You’re just switching between tasks, which will add about 30 percent to the time it takes you to complete a task. 

Be More Mindful 

Being mindful means to live in the moment and be present in the now. That can be hard with all the things going on around you. Control urges to switch your focus, even if it’s just for a few minutes, you’ll build your self-control now and in the future.

Set a Timer 

Set a timer when you need to do things you really did not want to do. Set a timer for about 15 minutes. Do the task for that time. See how you feel. Keep adding time each time you succeed, until you’re finished. 

Take Breaks 

When you want to focus and concentrate on a task knowing you have planned breaks makes it easier. Try not to schedule work sessions longer than 90 minutes. You don’t need a long break, just a quick five-minute after every 90 minutes of work is enough. 

Increasing your ability to concentrate will pay off in every aspect of your life. It will help you work more effectively and will help you become a healthier person.