man playing chess

If you have ever found it difficult to concentrate on a task at work, or have spent time on a project that was difficult to complete, you might want to increase your concentration.

Concentration is the mental effort you make to get everything done. It is sometimes confused with attention span, which is the length of time you can concentrate on something.

Factors that affect concentration

“There are a number of reasons for the different attention span and concentration. Some people have a harder time focusing on what’s important. Concentration can be affected by age and lack of sleep.”

As people age, they forget things more quickly and have less concentration. Concentration can be affected by head or brain injuries, as well as certain mental health conditions.

It’s easy to become frustrated when you’re trying to concentrate but just can’t. This can lead to stress and irritation, which tends to make focusing on what you need to do even more of a distant dream.

If that sounds familiar, you should read more about the methods that are backed by research. We will discuss some conditions that can affect concentration and steps to take if you want to increase concentration on your own.

You can get better at concentrating by playing certain types of games. Try.

  • “It’s called sudoku.”
  • There are crossword puzzles.
  • chess
  • There are puzzles in the jigsaw.
  • Word searches or scrambles are used.
  • There are games of memory.

A 2015 study of 4,715 adults suggests that spending 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, on brain training activities can improve concentration.

Brain training games can also help develop your working and short-term memory, as well as your processing and problem-solving skills.

Kids

Brain training can work for kids. A book of word puzzles, a game of memory, or a jigsaw puzzle are all possibilities.

coloring can help improve concentration Adult coloring books have more detailed coloring pages for older children.

Older adults

Older adults tend to have less memory and concentration than younger people, so the effects of brain training games may be important.

Research from 2014 that looked at 2,832 older adults followed up on participants after 10 years. Older adults who completed 10 to 14 sessions of cognitive training saw improved cognition, memory, and processing skills.

Most study participants reported that they could complete their daily activities at the beginning of the trial, if not better.

Try these games to improve your brainpower.

There are other types of games that can help improve concentration. Research shows that playing video games can boost concentration.

A 2018 study looking at 29 people found evidence to suggest an hour of gaming could help improve visual selective attention (VSA). VSA refers to your ability to concentrate on a specific task while ignoring distractions.

“The study was limited by its small size. The study didn’t know how long the increase in VSA lasted.”

Future research should continue to explore how video games can increase brain activity and boost concentration.

A 2017 review looked at 100 studies examining how video games could affect cognitive function. The results suggest playing video games may lead to various changes in the brain, including increased attention and focus.

The review had several limitations, including the fact that the studies focused on different topics, including video game addiction and the effects of violent video games. Studies that explore the benefits of video games could support the findings.

When does video game use become addictive?

Sleep deprivation can disrupt concentration and other cognitive functions.

“Occasional sleep deprivation may not cause a lot of problems. Failing to get a good night’s sleep can affect your performance at work.”

Being too tired can affect your reflexes and make it harder to drive.

A demanding schedule, health issues, and other factors sometimes make it difficult to get enough sleep. But it’s important to try and get as close to the recommended amount as possible on most nights.

Many experts recommend that adults get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

Here are some tips for sleeping better.

  • Put away your screens an hour before you sleep.
  • The room should be comfortable but not too warm.
  • Wind down before bed with soft music, a warm bath, or a book.
  • Go to bed and wake up the same time every day.
  • Try to exercise regularly, but avoid a heavy workout just before bed.

What are some sleep habits?

Increased concentration is among the many benefits of regular exercise. Exercise benefits everyone. A 2018 study looking at 116 fifth-graders found evidence to suggest daily physical activity could help improve both concentration and attention after just 4 weeks.

Other research looking at older adults suggests a year of moderate aerobic physical activity can help stop or even reverse memory loss that occurs with brain atrophy related to age.

Do what you can

Aerobic exercise is recommended, but doing what you can is better. You may want to exercise more or less depending on your goals.

If you live with physical or mental health challenges, it is not possible to get the recommended amount of exercise.

“If you don’t want to join a gym or are not able to exercise frequently, try to work out in fun ways. If you get your heart rate up, you are exercising. Ask yourself.”

  • Can you walk your kids to school?
  • Can you fit in a jog around your neighborhood in 20 minutes a morning?
  • Can you split your grocery trip into two or three trips?
  • Can you walk to the coffee shop?

If you can, try to get exercise before you take a break.

How can exercise help you?

If you want to boost your concentration naturally, try to get outside every day, even for a short while. You might take a short walk through a park. Sitting in your garden or backyard can also help. Any natural environment has benefits.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), spending time in nature can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health.

Research from 2014 found evidence to suggest including plants in office spaces helped increase concentration and productivity, as well as workplace satisfaction and air quality.

Try adding a plant or two to your workspace or home for a range of positive benefits. Succulents make great choices for low-maintenance plants if you don’t have a green thumb.

Kids

Children benefit from natural environments, too. Research published in 2017 followed over 1,000 children from birth to age 7. The study hoped to determine how lifelong exposure to trees and greenery at home or in the neighborhood might affect attention in children.

The study suggests that natural environments can benefit brain development.

For children with ADHD, research suggests spending time in nature can:

  • boost their moods
  • Help them think logically.
  • increase their interaction with others
  • The symptoms of the attention deficit disorder can be reduced.

What are some more natural remedies for people with attention deficit disorder?

Meditation and mindfulness practices can offer multiple benefits. Improved concentration is only one of these.

A 2011 review of 23 studies found evidence to suggest mindfulness training that emphasizes attention focus could help increase attention and focus. Mindfulness can also improve memory and other cognitive abilities.

Meditation doesn’t just mean sitting silently with your eyes closed. Yoga, deep breathing, and many other activities can help you meditate.

If you’ve tried meditation and it hasn’t worked for you, or if you’ve never meditated before, this list can give you some ideas for getting started.

What are the benefits of meditation?

How can you increase concentration while taking a break? Experts say that this idea works.

You have spent a few hours on the same project, and suddenly your attention wanders. You stay at your desk, even though it is hard to keep your mind on the task. You feel stressed and anxious about not completing your work in time because of your struggle to focus.

You’ve probably been there before. Next time this happens, when you first feel your concentration drop, take a short mental break. Refresh yourself with a cool drink or nutritious snack, take a quick walk, or go outside and get some sun.

“Don’t be surprised if you feel more focused, motivated, or even creative when you return to work. Breaks can help boost functions.”

What are some signs of stress?

Turning on music while working or studying may help increase concentration, but this will depend on the individual.

Even if you don’t enjoy listening to music while you work, using nature sounds or white noise to mask background sounds could also help improve concentration and other brain functions, according to research.

Music is helpful when studying a challenging topic, but not everyone agrees.

If you choose to listen to music, here are some tips.

  • Choose music that is instrumental rather than songs with lyrics.
  • Keep the music low.
  • Choose neutral music and avoid music you dislike.

Playing music may distract you.

What are the benefits of music?

The foods you eat can affect your cognitive functions. Too much sugar, processed foods and greasy foods are bad for concentration.

Try eating more of the following.

  • Think salmon and trout.
  • Eggs with white and yolk.
  • There are some things that are blue.
  • There is a vegetable called spinach.

You can find more brain foods on this list.

Staying hydrated can also have a positive impact on concentration. Even mild dehydration can make it harder to focus or remember information.

Eating breakfast can help by boosting your focus first thing in the morning. Aim for a meal that’s low in added sugars and high in protein and fiber. Oatmeal, plain yogurt with fruit, or whole-grain toast with eggs are all good breakfast choices.

Which foods can help you?

There’s no need to include caffeine in your diet if you prefer to avoid it, but research does suggest caffeine can benefit your attention and focus.

If you feel your concentration starting to drop, consider a cup of coffee or green tea. A serving of dark chocolate — 70 percent cacao or higher — can have similar benefits if you don’t enjoy caffeinated beverages.

A 2017 study found evidence to suggest phytochemicals naturally found in matcha, a type of green tea, not only improve cognitive function but can help promote relaxation. So matcha may be a good option if coffee makes you feel jittery or on edge.

How does coffee affect you?

Some supplements may help promote concentration and improve brain function.

People use supplements.

There is not enough research to confirm that these supplements are safe for everyone.

“The FDA does not regulate supplements. You can’t be sure of the precise ingredients or how supplements interact with other drugs.”

If you have any health conditions or allergies, you should always check with a doctor before trying any supplements. A doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks of supplements and recommend one that is best for you.

Which supplements can help you focus?

Useful supplement shopping guides

These two articles can help make supplement shopping easier.

Concentration workouts help children focus. This mental workout involves fully focusing on an activity for a set period of time.

Try these activities.

  • Draw or draw and draw for 15 minutes.
  • A balloon or small ball can be thrown by another person.
  • Set a timer for a few minutes. Try to blink as little as possible.
  • “Don’t bite into a lollipop or hard candy until it’s gone. Pay attention to the taste, the sensation of the candy on your tongue, and how long it takes to eat it completely.”

After completing an activity, you should ask your child to write a short summary or sketch how they felt. Young children can use words.

Talking about how they regained concentration can help them develop skills for daily tasks.

If you want to try it, feel free to.

Multitasking is a part of daily life. If you are picking up children from school while talking on the phone and trying to work out when to schedule an appointment, that is multitasking.

It seems a good way to get a lot done, but some scientists have questioned this. Studies have suggested that we are not as good at multitasking as we like to think we are. For one thing, the brain is not designed to cope with doing two or more things at once. What we are actually doing is switching from one task to another. As a result, we can’t give our full attention to any of those tasks.

If you can tackle one thing at a time, you can concentrate better on the others.

“It is possible to block off time for specific tasks to help you focus on one thing at a time. Setting time limits can help you channel your energy toward the task in hand because you know you can’t spend all of your time on it.”

Many people shifted to work from home when the COVID-19 epidemic started.

This led to some.

  • There is additional stress.
  • distraction
  • lower productivity

Researchers looking for ways to help people overcome these challenges have suggested the following tips:

Timeboxing

When you make a to-do list, make sure to book a slot on your calendar to do it.

Timeboxing can help you in some ways.

  • Make sure you finish the tasks.
  • “signal to others when it’s convenient for you”
  • If that is an issue, then separate work from home life.

Using a timer

The Marinara Timer encourages a person to work for 25 minutes then take a break. The person will take a break after four blocks of 25 minutes. You can focus on a task for the time and not do anything else in the break.

Time-control apps

You can set a goal to not use your phone. In the game “Forest,” you are encouraged not to use the device until the tree has grown. The tree will die if you use the phone too soon. You can set goals for specific sites with other apps.

Trouble concentrating can relate to things going on around you. Excuses include co-workers not showing up, or being distracted by family or friends.

Concentration difficulties can be related to mental or physical health conditions. Some common ones include.

  • ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can create learning and memory challenges for both children and adults. It’s usually characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Treatment can help improve ADHD symptoms.
  • Cognitive dysfunction or impairment can affect concentration, memory, and learning. These issues can include developmental delays or disabilities, brain injuries, or neurological conditions that cause problems with brain function.
  • Untreated mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety primarily involve changes in mood and other emotional symptoms. But, they can also make it hard to focus, concentrate, or learn and remember new information. You might also find it harder to concentrate on work or school when under a lot of stress.
  • Concussions and other head injuries can affect concentration and memory. This is usually temporary, but difficulties with concentration can linger while a concussion heals.
  • Farsightedness and other vision problems can cause problems with attention and concentration. If you (or your child) find it harder than usual to concentrate and also have headaches or find yourself squinting, you may want to get your eyes checked.
  • Distractions such as social media, phone calls, and a busy environment can affect your focus. If you want to concentrate, try switching off electronic devices and find a tidy space with minimal noise and crowding.
  • Insufficient sleep can make it hard to concentrate. Practice good sleep hygiene, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, when possible, and leaving electronic devices outside the room.
  • Alcohol consumption can affect your ability to think. When you drink alcohol, the first place it travels to is the brain, where it can affect your ability to think, focus, make decisions, and manage your speech and behavior.
  • Medications and other drugs can sometimes lead to brain fog, including some drugs for treating high blood pressure. Check the information that comes with any drugs to see if they may cause drowsiness or affect your brain in other ways.

What is preventing me from focusing?

“If these tips don’t help, you should get a professional opinion. If you aren’t aware of it, something more significant than ordinary distraction could be affecting your ability to concentrate.”

If you are feeling stressed or have noticed a change in your mood, it is advisable to speak to a therapist. It takes a trained professional to notice these symptoms.

Many adults with attention deficit disorder have trouble concentrating for long periods of time. A mental health professional can help you get started on treatment.

Once you have a diagnosis, therapy, medication, and other treatment approaches can help improve your symptoms.

Some people use prescription or recreational drugs, such as nootropics, to improve their focus, but some of these can have severe adverse effects. Never use a drug unless a doctor prescribes it for you, and always follow the doctor’s instructions.

Some ways to improve concentration may work well, while others may not. Try to see what works with a range of approaches.

Some experts still disagree about the benefits of certain methods. Most of these tips can promote improvements in concentration for many people.

“These tips are unlikely to cause harm or decrease concentration, so giving them a try shouldn’t have any negative effects.”

If focusing is hard, you should talk to your doctor. It is important to rule out brain injuries or other serious issues in order to find the underlying reason.