I CAN'T FOCUS
I CAN'T FOCUS
One of the most important cognitive abilities for completing tasks is focus. It's essential for activities like working, studying, learning, reading and listening.
Why do we lose focus?
Juggling school, extracurriculars, friends, homework and maybe even a part-time job can cause us to stay up late into the night. Research shoes that fatigue and sleepiness can cause lack of focus, inattention and crankiness.
Hunger is distracting for both your body and your brain. It's important for adolescents to eat three healthy, nutritious meals a day.
Keep away from sugar. It has been linked to poor memory and focus.
You're trying to study for Biology, but you keep checking your phone every few minutes. Or you're attempting to write your English paper, but you find yourself wasting hours on instagram.
Teens are bombarded with many stimuli competing for their attention.
When you find yourself having trouble focusing, go for a walk, do some jumping jacks. Research has linked physical movement to improved cognition and attention for teens.
You just had an argument with a friend or you are trying to plan a birthday party. It's hard to concentrate when your brain is busy with other things.
You have a big Latin project but you're finding it hard tackle.
Too much blue light can fool the brain into thinking it's daytime, which can delay sleep.
There are some underlying medical conditions that can cause us to lose focus or get bored more easily.
How do I increase focus?
Simplify your tasks by breaking them down into smaller parts, which can make them more manageable and easier to focus on
A teenager needs 8-10 hours of continuous sleep every night. Set a consistent sleep and wake up time.
Eating three healthy meals a day can improve short-term memory and attention.
Get rid of distractions and noise. Sit somewhere quiet, turn off the TV or put your phone on silent.
Multitasking can make it harder to focus. Work on one thing and then switch to the next.
Find a comfortable position, take a deep breath and focus on your breath.
Take a walk or even just move your head and feet around.
Being active releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good - boosting self-esteem and helping with concentration.
Reward yourself with a 5-10 minute break while you work. It can reduce stress and maintain performance throughout the day. It can also reduce the need for long recovery at the end.
Setting a timer helps allocate a specific amount of time for a task, which can increase focus and prevent procrastination.
Practice is key! Learning to increase your focus is like a muscle that needs to be built!