Do you ever find yourself unable to focus? You are not alone. As we age, it becomes harder to figure out what information is relevant and what isn’t. Many factors can go into a lack of focus, such as:

Too much Stimuli

The more information the brain has to process, the more difficult it will become to focus on the task you are trying to complete. Whether background noise through the TV or emails to sift through, they can distract your work or study. If you can eliminate these distractions, your focus will increase. 

Give your Brain a Break

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to improve your focus is to take a break. This article suggests taking a break every 50 to 90 minutes for a 10-25 minute break. By taking a break to clear your mind, you’ll find focusing easier when you return.

Internal Factors

The thing fogging up your focus may be within, such as an underlying condition or side effects from medication. Depression and sleep disorders (like sleep apnea) can make it harder to concentrate, as stated in this article. So, what can we do to improve focus in these cases?  

Practice Mindfulness

Try sitting still for a few moments. Just close your eyes and experience the world surrounding you in this moment. Listen to the sound of your breathing and feel your muscles relax as you take a deep breath. 

Live Healthier

The most important thing you can do to optimize your focus is to improve your health. The number one thing you can do is get 8 hours of sleep each night. While you sleep, your brain can clean up the clutter from the day.  

By exercising, you help your brain produce chemicals that both improve focus and promote better sleep (it also improves cognitive function). This article recommends 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week; something as simple as taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood or any other form of aerobic activity. 

An improvement in your diet could help you focus. The Mediterranean-style diet has had a study conducted showing cognitive benefits within the first ten days. This article also lists other benefits to your brain a Mediterranean-style diet can provide, such as preventing dementia or decreasing your risk of depression.