7 Unique Tools to Help Increase Mental Focus

Are you having trouble focusing at work, school, or even when interacting with others? If so, you’re not alone.

Most people face difficulty when focusing on even simple daily tasks. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In fact, there are some super simple ways to increase mental focus and improve appropriate time management. Are you curious how?

Keep reading to learn all about seven things to help you focus. Because once you have a focused mind, who knows what you’ll be able to achieve!

Start By Evaluating Your Focusing Skills

Before you begin the journey of improving your mental focus and clarity, it’s important to know where you stand. Once you know how strong your mental focus is, you’ll know how much work you need to do in this area.

Check out the following statements. Take note of each one that applies to you.

• If I feel my focus is lacking, I’ll take a quick break and come back to work feeling refreshed.
• I schedule different tasks at different times, based on when I know I’ll be able to focus the best throughout the day.
• I like to make lists and set achievable goals for my day.
• It’s impossible for me to ignore distractions.
• I often catch myself daydreaming when I should be working on the task at hand.
• When I lose track of what I’m working on, I have to start over at the beginning.

If you identify more with the first three statements, you probably have fairly good concentration skills. If any of the last three statements sound familiar to you, you have some work to do.

But don’t feel disheartened. Help is on the way! Let’s dive into the seven simple tools that will help you focus better. 

1. Herbal Supplements Can Help Improve Focus

Years of scientific research have proven that certain herbs may increase focus and mental clarity. So, if you want to know how to increase focus the natural way, herbal supplements may be the right option for you. Here are the most effective and popular herbs to help.

Ginkgo Biloba

This ancient Chinese herb comes from the gingko tree. It’s a potent way to help increase both focus and memory.

It works by thinning the blood and allowing more oxygen to get to the brain. Ginkgo has even shown promise as a treatment for age-related cognitive decline.

Gotu Kola

Despite its name, this Asian herb has nothing to do with caffeinated soft drinks. In fact, it’s a relaxant. It stimulates brain cell production and helps with focus and concentration.

Rosemary

Rosemary isn’t just a delicious herb to use when cooking. It also has powerful properties for increasing concentration and zapping mental fatigue. Although you should ingest it for the best results, even smelling this herb will help. 

2. Use Headphones to Remove Distractions

If you find it difficult to get things done because you get distracted by background noise, headphones are just the tool for you. Find a good pair of noise-canceling headphones for the best results. Whether you prefer to listen to instrumental music, white noise, or nothing at all, a great pair of headphones are sure to keep you on target.

3. Exercise to Focus Better

Regular exercise is an easy method of improving mental focus. This method is most powerful for two to three hours after hitting the gym, so it’s a great idea to work out before an important meeting or task. Exercise also affects us on the cellular level, which improves our focus and memory function long-term.

4. Better Sleep Can Improve Mental Focus

Nothing destroys a person’s ability to focus more than sleep deprivation. If you’re having a hard time concentrating throughout the day, take some time to consider your sleep schedule.

Are you getting seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every night? If not, it may be wrecking your concentration. Make sure that you’re getting enough sleep to ensure that your brain is functioning at its full capacity.

Are you curious about how to get a better night’s sleep? Look into the benefits of weighted blankets to learn more.

5. Take Short Breaks to Stay Focused

If you’re working on a big project, it can be difficult to stay focused for long periods of time. Thankfully, taking short breaks can make a huge difference.

By giving your brain something else to concentrate on, even for just a couple of minutes, it will allow you to refocus when you come back to the task at hand. For even better results, get up and moving when you take a break instead of looking at your phone or the TV.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

Just like every change we make in our lives, learning how to concentrate will come with time and practice. Mental focus is a skill and it’s something that you can get better and better at when you put your mind to it.

A great place to start is by recognizing the impact your distracted nature is having on your life. Chances are, your inability to focus has resulted in a lot of time wasted.

Thankfully, it’s not too late to make this change. Practice being mindfully focused every day and you’ll find that you will improve with time.

7. Therapy Can Help

Did you know that depression and other mental illnesses can cause focus and mental clarity issues? If you think that this may be the case for you, look for a licensed therapist near you. By unpacking the root cause of your distractions, you can live a more focused and meaningful life.

You’ve Got This

If you want more clarity and improved mental focus, use the seven tools above. They’ll keep you on track throughout the day and help you live each moment of your life to the fullest.

For the best results, remember to get plenty of sleep, and to supplement your diet with focus-enhancing herbs like Gotu Kola and Gingko Biloba. Take short breaks throughout the day and make regular exercise a part of your routine as well.

Want to learn more about how to improve your health? Check out our health blog page for tons of info and tips.