Home > All Blog Articles > How To Improve Attention Span For A Productive Day
How To Improve Attention Span For A Productive Day
Noticed Your Attention Span Shrinking? Here's Why And 5 Tips To Improve It
Struggling to concentrate? Find out why and get 5 tips to improve your attention span and boost your focus today
Scrolling through short videos, flicking through Netflix channels, switching between laptop tabs, jumping from task to task…it’s no wonder your attention span is struggling to keep up! If you’re having trouble staying focused on work tasks or in your personal life we’re here to tell you it’s not your fault. Well, not entirely. Humans are pre-wired to not be able to fully focus on one thing for a long period of time; a short attention span gave early humans the evolutionary advantage of being alert to any dangers in their surroundings.
Nowadays, it’s not immediate threats but our screens that are keeping us on our toes. We can’t reply to a message, without receiving a notification for another one. We can’t crack on with a work task, without getting an email about another one. We can’t read a blog post, without passing a hyperlink to another one (guilty!).Our attention is constantly pulled in different directions making it feel near-impossible to focus on one thing, be present in our relationships, and not be overwhelmed with all the information we’re constantly fed.
We know it’s not realistic to bury your phone and live off-grid, but it is possible to be more mindful of where your attention is going and to slowly and steadily bring the focus back to the task at hand.
Attention span is the length of time you can concentrate on a task without becoming distracted. It can be broken down into:
Your attention span is unique to you and will fluctuate throughout your life. It can be influenced by several factors, including age, interest in the task, environmental distractions, neurodiversity, and mental health conditions.
That said, researchers from Princeton University and the University of California studied both humans and monkeys and found attention pulses in and out four times per second.
For most people, attention spans can be improved with practice, techniques, and the right environment.
Before we get into improving our attention span, let’s get clear on some major things that could be limiting it.
Constant notifications and easy access to digital content can fragment our attention and reduce our ability to focus on just one thing for extended periods.
Attempting to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously can overload our cognitive resources, leading to decreased attention span and effectiveness.
These 3 tips are easy and accessible ways to improve your focus for a more productive day.
If orange is the new black, mono-tasking is the new multi-tasking. While we once thought that doing everything at once was the best approach, research now shows that multitasking is associated with attention lapses and forgetfulness. It’s easier said than done, but try to pick just one task from your list to focus on at a time. Set a timer and eliminate all other distractions for that period. (Pro-tip: every time you get distracted, re-start the timer to train your focus!)
If you’re trying to work in front of the TV or next to someone who won’t stop talking, chances are you’ll get distracted. Try setting up a dedicated ‘focus zone’ instead, and consider tools like the Mind Clear Diffuser Oil and Real Focus Pulse Point Roller Ball to create an aromatic space your brain associates with periods of deep concentration.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: meditation is the secret source for a focused, calm, and balanced mind! You don’t have to have the attention span of a monk to start meditating; this review found that just one ten-minute guided meditation can improve your ability to stay on task for longer.
Try introducing a short morning practice into your day or take 10-minute meditation breaks between tasks. To help you get in the zone, you can try diffusing our Real Calm Essential Oil to help relax the mind.
Of course, as an essential oil brand, we have to give you some recommendations for essential oils that can improve your attention span. These are our top picks for focus:
Struggling to concentrate? Find out why and get 5 tips to improve your attention span and boost your focus today
Scrolling through short videos, flicking through Netflix channels, switching between laptop tabs, jumping from task to task…it’s no wonder your attention span is struggling to keep up! If you’re having trouble staying focused on work tasks or in your personal life we’re here to tell you it’s not your fault. Well, not entirely. Humans are pre-wired to not be able to fully focus on one thing for a long period of time; a short attention span gave early humans the evolutionary advantage of being alert to any dangers in their surroundings.
Nowadays, it’s not immediate threats but our screens that are keeping us on our toes. We can’t reply to a message, without receiving a notification for another one. We can’t crack on with a work task, without getting an email about another one. We can’t read a blog post, without passing a hyperlink to another one (guilty!).Our attention is constantly pulled in different directions making it feel near-impossible to focus on one thing, be present in our relationships, and not be overwhelmed with all the information we’re constantly fed.
We know it’s not realistic to bury your phone and live off-grid, but it is possible to be more mindful of where your attention is going and to slowly and steadily bring the focus back to the task at hand.
What Is An Attention Span?
Attention span is the length of time you can concentrate on a task without becoming distracted. It can be broken down into:
- Sustained attention - focusing on a task for an extended period.
- Selective attention - focusing on a task while ignoring distractions.
How Long is The Attention Span of an Adult?
Your attention span is unique to you and will fluctuate throughout your life. It can be influenced by several factors, including age, interest in the task, environmental distractions, neurodiversity, and mental health conditions.
That said, researchers from Princeton University and the University of California studied both humans and monkeys and found attention pulses in and out four times per second.
For most people, attention spans can be improved with practice, techniques, and the right environment.
What Affects Our Attention Span?
Before we get into improving our attention span, let’s get clear on some major things that could be limiting it.
- Technology
Constant notifications and easy access to digital content can fragment our attention and reduce our ability to focus on just one thing for extended periods.
- Trying to multi-task
Attempting to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously can overload our cognitive resources, leading to decreased attention span and effectiveness.
-
Neurodivergence
Major deviations in attention span occur for those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which affects executive functioning. If you have, or suspect you might have, ADHD you can speak to a professional and find useful resources online such as ADHD UK’s website.
How to Improve Your Attention Span?
These 3 tips are easy and accessible ways to improve your focus for a more productive day.
- Time block your tasks
If orange is the new black, mono-tasking is the new multi-tasking. While we once thought that doing everything at once was the best approach, research now shows that multitasking is associated with attention lapses and forgetfulness. It’s easier said than done, but try to pick just one task from your list to focus on at a time. Set a timer and eliminate all other distractions for that period. (Pro-tip: every time you get distracted, re-start the timer to train your focus!)
- Optimise your environment for focus
If you’re trying to work in front of the TV or next to someone who won’t stop talking, chances are you’ll get distracted. Try setting up a dedicated ‘focus zone’ instead, and consider tools like the Mind Clear Diffuser Oil and Real Focus Pulse Point Roller Ball to create an aromatic space your brain associates with periods of deep concentration.
- Start a daily meditation practice
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: meditation is the secret source for a focused, calm, and balanced mind! You don’t have to have the attention span of a monk to start meditating; this review found that just one ten-minute guided meditation can improve your ability to stay on task for longer.
Try introducing a short morning practice into your day or take 10-minute meditation breaks between tasks. To help you get in the zone, you can try diffusing our Real Calm Essential Oil to help relax the mind.
Essential Oils for Focus And Attention Span
Of course, as an essential oil brand, we have to give you some recommendations for essential oils that can improve your attention span. These are our top picks for focus:
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Find Focus Blend: Rosemary, Grapefruit, Orange Leaf
