Learning how to focus is a skill—with practice and patience, you can learn to master it. So next time you find your mind drifting, don't be too hard on yourself. Recognize it, steer your attention back, and celebrate the small victories of concentration.
Start by making your environment as distraction-free as possible. Silence your phone and clear clutter from your workspace. When it's time to focus, make sure it's just you and the task before you.
💙 Try one of our Focus Playlists to help maintain focus on the task at hand.
Multitasking can make you feel busy, but it's not great for your focus. Instead, dedicate your attention to one activity at a time. Finish what you start before moving on to the next task.
💙 Trying to do too much at once can be tough on the mind. Instead, try to Settle Down by Single-Tasking.
Spend a few minutes each day practicing mindfulness and meditation. These practices train your brain to focus on the present moment, which can help you concentrate when it counts. If you’re new to mindfulness, exploring the exercises on the Calm app can be a good place to begin.
💙 Try the Mindfulness for Beginners series with Jeff Warren to build (or strengthen) your meditation practice.
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. A well-rested brain is more focused and effective. If you struggle with sleep, work on ways to calm your mind before bed, or try some sleep sounds.
💙 Join Matthew Walker, PhD, in Why Do We Sleep, a relaxing and educational Sleep Story on the importance of sleep and how it changes our body and mind.
Be present. Keep your mind where your body is. Focus on what you're doing at this very moment and gently bring your thoughts back when they wander.
Work for shorter periods, and then take a brief break to help reset your attention span. Try the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break.
💙 Try using one of our soundscapes like Jasper Lake during your focused period of work.