Mental focus is the ability to stay on task. Mental focus requires maintaining your attention and concentration in the midst of distractions and pressing forward through setbacks. In order to reach your goals and be successful, you must sustain your energy and effort until completion.
Unfortunately, it is very easy to become distracted and get off task. Although you may be able to multitask, the brain was not wired to constantly be inundated with shiny things that are designed to distract you and grab your attention. Learning how to improve your mental focus is not easy; however, with these seven tips, you can begin retraining your brain and improving your mental focus.
Exercise
Beginning your day with 20 minutes of aerobic exercise can help improve your mental focus and improve the health of your brain. When you exercise, it floods the brain with oxygen and stimulates the neurotransmitter production in the brain, which helps enhance thinking, focus, and mood. If you cannot dedicate 20 minutes of your morning to exercise, try riding your bicycle to work, or if you drive, park further away than normal. Taking the stairs rather than the elevator is another way to get your heart pumping and brain focused on the day’s tasks.
Supplements
Did you know that certain supplements can help improve your mental focus? Providing the body with essential omega three fatty acids, minerals, and trace minerals nourish the brain and improve brain health. Fatty acids reduce inflammation and help maintain your brain’s structure. Amino acids are used in energy production and have been shown to help improve memory and alertness. BodyBio supplements[rs1] provide your body and your brain with the nutrients that it needs to maintain focus.
Integrative medicine can help
If you have trouble focusing, you may be suffering from an underlying medical condition like ADHD. The professionals at an Integrative Medicine Virginia [rs2] clinic have the knowledge to diagnose and offer evidence-based treatments to improve your brain health. When your brain is healthy, you will be able to focus and stay on task at home, at work, or at school.
Diet
In today’s busy world, it can be tempting to grab a prepackaged meal or dinner at a fast food restaurant; however, these food items cause systemic inflammation, which can be detrimental to your mental focus. In addition to this, prepackaged foods do not provide your brain with the nutrients it needs. Nourishing your brain with a healthy diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy fats (nuts, eggs, coconut oil, and avocados) reduces inflammation and ensures the brain has what it needs to stay focused.
Write it out
One way to help improve your mental focus is to write out the tasks that you want to complete each day. Then, divide those tasks down by the hour. For example, if you want to contact your client lists with an offer, set an alarm for an hour and see what you can get accomplished within the air. By giving yourself only one hour to get through a task, your brain will be forced to stay on task. Doing this daily will help retrain your brain to focus on the task at hand and ignore any distractions.
Get enough rest
Sleep deprivation can prevent you from being able to focus. During sleep, your brain repairs itself and consolidates your memories. Get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night for improved focus. If you are not getting the sleep you need, improve sleep[rs3] by practicing healthy sleep habits, including going to bed at the same time each night, turning off electronics two hours before bedtime, and only using your bedroom for sleeping and intimacy.
Get rid of distractions
If your mobile phone continually buzzes and beeps notifying you of social media updates and emails, it can be very distracting. Eliminating pointless distractions is a great way to improve your mental focus. If you do not need your mobile phone while at work, put it in airplane mode. If, on the other hand, you do need your phone, consider turning off your email and social media notifications while you are at work.
Improving your mental focus will help improve your life. Whether you are a student or a professional, teaching yourself to stay on task, nourishing your brain, getting enough sleep, and removing distractions can improve your focus. Use the seven tips we have discussed to take your metal prowess to the next level.