Trying to focus can take some doing when life isn’t running smoothly. If there was ever a time that we needed to take our minds off of our problems and redirect worrisome energy, it is certainly now. But, it can also be the best time to work on how to improve concentration to redirect that wasted mental effort for learning and the brighter days ahead.
Sleep is very important to improve focus. Though your mind may be preoccupied, it helps to develop a regular sleep pattern with a set hour for bedtime. It also helps to erase any thoughts about your problems and replace them with a happy thought that you can visualize. Close drapes for a dark environment, turn down the thermostat to anywhere from 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit can help toward that goal of the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
Meditation is another tool that can help improve concentration. Utilizing the brain’s electrical activity, the relaxed form of breathing has been proven to also change the more alert type of brain wave into a calmer version known as an alpha wave. Yet, if mindfulness meditation is practiced on a fairly regular basis for about 40 minutes a day, the prefrontal cortex for concentration and learning benefits according to various studies.
Sometimes, waking up thought processes can call for a change of scenery to the outdoors and a bit of physical activity. A brisk walk, jogging or playing with the dog outside for about 15 minutes or so can help clear the head and send endorphins to reduce stress and inspire you with that positivity it creates. You just might say it sets the stage to spark the brain’s neurotransmitters and prime it for learning.
Reading, particularly fiction, is another way to improve concentration. As you read, the brain forms new pathways as it routes the words into pictures for the mind to spark imagination and creativity.
Caffeine from coffee offers a stimulant to help with focus for better concentration. Yet, it can dehydrate if not replaced by drinking the same amount of water.
Since the brain is mostly water, even a slight drop can hamper how we think. How to improve it is by aiming for six to eight cups of water a day. The water we lose through normal body functions need to be replaced in order to stay thoroughly hydrated for optimal brain functioning.
These are just some ways in how to increase concentration through stressful times and prepare for a brighter learning future.
