This Article Contains
When a new task is assigned to anyone or while studying, it’s better to stay focused for the better learning of the topic. But what if maintaining focus for a long duration becomes a herculean task.
This problem might seem insignificant at first, however when looked into, it turns out to be an exceptionally serious one.
Most people can retain their focus for quite a long period of time, but on the other side there are people who face difficulty in maintaining focus for even a short period of time. For some, this could mean only four to five minutes, or even less. People who are able to maintain their focus for a long period are generally able to fetch it back if it wanders off. But a vast majority of people find it hard to control their ship of thoughts in the sea of distractions (world nowadays).
If we approach a task or topic with full attention, then it can be completed quickly. On the other hand, if we show poor attention, the time spent could be endless.
Symptoms of lack of focus
- Difficulty staying focused, even for short periods.
- Struggling to maintain focus while reading, sometimes it feels nearly impossible.
- Finding it hard while trying to stay focused on one task.
- Feeling mentally exhausted most of the time.
- Even a small diversion takes you away from work.
- Finding it hard to focus during conversations. whether in a group or one-on-one.
Reasons Behind
- Psychological conditions – People who have a long history of depression, stress or anxiety may show low concentration levels. Other effects of these conditions include:
- Trouble in remembering things, even for short periods.
- Sadness.
- Negative thoughts.
- Bad decision making.
ADHD can be noticed in people at all stages of life. It is not necessary that this condition is related to children only. People show impetuous behavior alongside and ability to concentrate is almost at the bottom level. Understanding the complex tasks, social values, job responsibilities, and true nature of things and people becomes almost impossible for a person with this mental condition.
OVERTHINKING can be a chief reason behind being less focused. This habit can eat up significant part of time throughout the day. The intensity of overthinking can vary from mild to severe depending upon the time span it has been persistent. Overthinking and focus are inversely proportional to each other.
DAYDREAMING is a mixed blessing depending upon how it is being used. In cases where one daydreams in leisure time for short time spans and about their happy dream, then it helps in certain ways. But if daydreamed for hours about some non-realistic and immoral activity, it can show adverse effects.
For learning how to stay focused while studying we need to know about these conditions.
- Multitasking –Four friends have planned regular meetups at a park or café to gossip and share daily experiences. It seems they are going to have fun. Now as they are all together, two of them are talking and sharing with full energy. The other two are also conversing but simultaneously and frequently checking their mobile phones. Chances are either they are checking an email from the office or scrolling through shorts of their favorite influencers. All in all, these two are multitasking. Chances are either they are checking an email from the office or scrolling down the shorts of their favorite influencers. All in all, these two are multitasking.
Many youngsters find multitasking enjoyable. Following the 2019 pandemic, the world has gone online, as have the ways studies are conducted. Now, alongside face-to-face classes, children and youngsters also study online on their laptops and mobile phones, so it has become very challenging to concentrate solely on studies. Listening to music (with headphones on), having some snacks, chatting, or even watching movies, web series, and TV simultaneously with study is easy to see nowadays. That is why it is essential to learn how to stay focused while studying.
Same can be noticed while people are at their workplace. Preparing an excel sheet, answering calls, drinking coffee and checking the wall clock regularly to ensure they don’t miss an upcoming meeting, all goes hand in hand.
Eventually, this habit affects our brain’s capability to stay focused. People are more inclined to make errors while attempting to complete more than one task simultaneously.
- Certain Drugs –As a side effect of certain medications, people may have problems maintaining focus for a long time. Some medications prescribed to treat the following conditions may contribute to concentration issues:
- Withdrawal symptoms (Mostly from alcohol use disorder).
- Anxiety disorders.
- Depression.
These drugs can affect power to concentrate constantly on a task.
Some other reasons
Insufficient sleep. A good sleep recharges the brain and body for the next day’s adventures. Imagine that you want to sleep after being dead tired and all of a sudden phone notification tone shifts your focus to a new video updated by one of your favorite youtubers. So now what happens to the brain cells which needed healing from a sound and healthy sleep. The brain’s recovery cycle is disrupted.
Insomnia or inability to sleep well can have negative effects on the mind’s recalling power and focus level. A tired mind is generally not considered a healthy mind. A right treatment within time is necessary to improve sleep quality.
Non-active lifestyle. “A healthy brain lives in a healthy body”. Living life in a dormant state for a long time may cause our brain cells to become kind of drowsy. People with unhealthy lifestyles are more prone to illness. This illness can affect both physical and mental health.
Learn how to stay focused while studying and working
There are specific techniques to improve concentration that can be incorporated into your daily routine.
Meditation. Hugo Gernsback stated, “even if supreme quit reigns, you are your own disturber fifty percent of the time.” Almost half of our interruptions are self-initiated. It can be challenging to decide where to focus our attention. With practicing meditation regularly, we can strengthen our mind’s muscles and it can be helpful in scrutinizing the tasks where we should be engaging our mind’s energy.
Less distraction. Turning off notifications of different applications on a mobile phone can help on a huge level. If possible, then emails, social media, and messages should be checked at a specific time of the day, which has been fixed by us.
While mobile phones are an integral part of our lives, they should be in our hands only when necessary. If it stays in our hands for most of the time, then there are chances that many other important things will slide by our hands. These could be our precious time spent with family and friends, eye sight, glow on face, etc.
Other than decreasing screen time, one should get rid of different other distractions in life also. Some of them include:
- Different internal distractions like daydreaming or rumination devour day like a pride of lions do to its prey.
- Dysfunctional relationships can distract the mind for hours throughout the day. Working on them is vital for a healthier and happier life.
- Due to a noisy environment nearby, staying focused becomes challenging. That is why tasks completed in a serene environment show less errors.
- There are other distractions also which play a big role like ambitious dreams, craving for money or food etc. Living a minimalist lifestyle can help in reducing these kinds of distractions.
Mindfulness. Practicing this art helps in gaining control over our senses, which simultaneously helps in controlling our thought process. If we always stay aware of what kind of thoughts are being processed by our mind, we can either discontinue them or we can let them wander freely. Discontinuing unnecessary thoughts that are deviating a person from their current task will shift the focus to the work at hand.
Good Sleep. Having adequate sleep is a must for a person who is having issues with low concentration. Good sleep recharges the mind for the work ahead. An exhausted mind is more prone to getting distracted. A tired body does not give the optimal results.
Sleep helps revive the brain cells and clears out waste. The amount of sleep required for different individuals could be different, but a healthy slumber of seven to eight hours a night reduces mental fatigue and enhances performance, creativity, and more.
Avoid using the TV and mobile phone at least one hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality. Blue light from mobile phone and computer screens can have impact on sleep cycle.
Avoiding multitasking. Instead of having more than one task in hand simultaneously, it’s better to prioritize and complete one task at a time. If the nature of employment is purely multitasking, then try to have no more than two tasks in hand at a time.
While studying children/youngsters could fix a topic and make up their mind that no other task will be undertaken at the same time. It surely will feel hard in the beginning, but if someone seeks positive change in their life then practicing it again and again will make it doable a while later.
Noticing Patterns. If observed carefully, a pattern in the thought process can be noticed. Being aware of when the mind is prone to distraction can make it easier to bring attention back to the work.
Consciously knowing the difference between more important work and less important work gives the mind a clear choice in managing the tasks.
Exercise. Consistent exercise habits sharpen the learning and thinking abilities. Endorphins released during a workout helps in lowering the stress, depression and anxiety. This promotes positivity and negative thoughts are reduced.
Getting in shape helps increase confidence about our appearance. People with a regular workout routine stay younger and live longer. Ultimately, many factors that affect concentration get treated at the same time.
One should not get the wrong idea about exercising. It does not mean everyone should exercise hard. A little or more according to capability and time availability is fine for students.
Due to the inability to maintain focus for extended periods, we may face failure in various aspects of life, such as academics, social life, relationships, marriage, and professional life. If we let this habit continue within ourselves, then there is a risk that such failures may become as regular as clockwork.
Facing defeat again and again sometimes makes people irritable and belligerent. Some people develop a safety wall around them, not letting anyone else enter their thoughts and perspectives. As time passes, these walls become more impenetrable.
It is better we stop those walls from growing stronger over time; otherwise, getting out of it will become very difficult. So if you have problems with focusing, start learning how to stay focused while studying and working right now.
