Written in collaboration with Simply Academy
Our attention spans are incredibly short, now at just 8.5 seconds – significantly down from 2.5 minutes in 2004. With so many things vying for our attention, devices in particular, it can be difficult to find the mental capacity to focus on any given task and seemingly more so when it comes to studying. So how can you overcome distractions when you need to focus? Simply Academy have devised 7 strategies proven to keep your mind focused when studying. Here, we take a look at some of these strategies and the circumstances that can increase your brain power and capacity to focus.
Brain foods
When studying, you may turn to high-sugar foods to stimulate energy production. But actually, as an organ that is made up of up to 60% fat, a balanced diet of healthy fats and nutrients is what your brain really needs to boost performance, maintain focus and improve memory.
When you have an intense period of studying, tailor your diet to incorporate a good dose of healthy oily fats, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring, and nuts such as walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Additionally, a vibrant array of berries, such as blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, which are rich in antioxidants and help to fight against free radicals, are also anti-inflammatory and help with blood flow to increase oxygen and the delivery of brain fuelled nutrients.
If you’re craving something sweet, dark chocolate is also an antioxidant source that helps with blood flow!
Your study environment
Although the preference for atmosphere is highly personal – some need a quiet space to study and focus, whereas studies have shown others are able to focus better with background noise – universally, a clutter-free space, free from distractions or mechanisms for procrastination, can help you to focus on the task at hand. It is also wise to set your phone to ‘work mode’ or store it in a bag or draw out of sight so notifications don’t distract you from your work.
Additionally, ensuring you’re working from a desk at an appropriate height, in a chair with suitable support, and in a room where the temperature is comfortable – or you’re comfortably dressed (to mitigate being too hot or too cold) – can help you to stay alert and in the zone for longer.
Prioritisation
Start your study session by determining what needs to be done and organising this in order of priority. It can be helpful, with particularly larger tasks, to break these down into more manageable chunks. When your study session is well structured, you can ensure every task gets the appropriate amount of time needed to complete it, you’ll have to face the challenging tasks you’d normally put off – and even get them out of the way first (giving you a greater sense of accomplishment), and help you to avoid decision fatigue.
Structuring your sessions in this way also gives you a clear division between tasks and provides an opportunity for toilet breaks, snack breaks and the scope of little rewards for a job well done.
In conclusion
Implementing essential strategies, and planning ahead for your study sessions can help you to be more productive, focused, and even increase brain capacity and function. It’s not simply about the environment you choose to work in, but the foods you consume and mapping out the activities you intend to cover too.
For more tips on how to keep your mind focused, check out the full study guide by Simply Academy
