There is just too much information in the world these days that it is hard to focus on one issue to another. When there is failure to focus their mind on an issue, the tendency of people therefore is to heave a sigh and grumble that it is hard to concentrate. In this information era and the age where the drive is to succeed, there is an importance of concentration. Having the ability to focus one’s mind on a certain endeavor can greatly help, not just in completing a certain task, but also in achieving stress free life. Ask anybody around, and most of the people have problems with concentration.  If one is aiming to accomplish a certain task, it would help very well if one learns to concentrate. Concentrating is nothing like eating foods. It requires the will to do it. But even if one has the will, but several factors are absent, it would still be a difficult task to focus one’s mind on an issue. There are however ways in order to improve the ability to focus one’s mind. These ways, together will the will to focus, will enable every individual to achieve the kind of concentration they so desire.

1. Practice mindfulness meditation

   There is meditation and there is mindfulness mediation. Mindfulness meditation is correct meditation. Meditation is not just an activity; rather it is a system that needs to be followed rightfully in order to achieve a desirable effect. According to the practice of mindfulness meditation, there are several factors to be considered to accomplish this. First, a favorable environment must be created. The environment must not be where anger and irritation is aroused. It does not matter where one is located as long as this condition applies. When performing the meditation, posture, gaze, breathing and thought must be considered. The Buddhist monks who are practicing this advice aspirants to keep on performing this activity where focus is towards the connection of the mind and body. When mindfulness meditation is executed regularly, it will be easy for anybody to improve their focusing.

2. Get enough sleep

   Sleep for up to eight hours; that’s what we are advised to do. For some individuals who are too busy with the hustle and bustle of daily lives, sleeping may be considered a waste of time and a bane to a productive life. But unknown to them, sleeping has more benefits in production as it enables concentration to be more enhanced. There are several studies conducted that finds correlation to sleep and concentration. Most of these studies resulted with the concept that in order to increase concentration, one must get enough sleep. When one sleep, never opt for patches of sleep, such as sleep for 3 hours now, and then sleep for 4 hours later, which is supposed to equal to 7 hours sleep. The proper way to sleep is continuous sleeping for 7 to 8 hours. Our brain and body undergoes a cycle when we sleep. When this is disrupted, problems during wakefulness develop. Some of the problems include short attention span, poor judgment, reduced skills for decision-making, slower time to react and very poor concentration. Several errors occur when one is deprived of sleep. In order therefore to improve one’s concentration, it is important to sleep adequately regularly.

3. Play Brain Games

   Brain games or attention trainings are necessary in order to improve concentration. This finding has been proven by the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center when they studied older adults. In the research, puzzles, Sudoku or any activities that motivates brain activity has been found out to decrease the chances of the adult to be distracted by other stimuli, therefore improving their concentration. The brain exercises performed by the elderly were modeled in such a way that it will help in the filtering capacity of an adult for sights and sounds that are not essential at the moment. Indeed, when the MRI result came out, there is reduction of integration of the senses for those who have undergone increase brain games or attention training. This indicates that the more brain games are performed, the more concentration is improved.

4. Eat Healthy

   Nothing can combat eating healthy foods when it comes to improving concentration. In the first place, what fuels the brain is food. The brain gets food from the cerebral fluid where there is high concentration of glucose. When glucose is decreased in the cerebral fluid, the ability to concentrate also decreases. It is therefore important to increase food intake in order to increase concentration. But do not simply eat for the sake of eating. Eat healthy; since it does not only provide fuel to the brain, it also keeps the brain healthy when one heats healthy foods. The brain can go into degradation as one gets older. Foods that protect the brain must be chosen, therefore. Foods which have the characteristic of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory will help make the brain healthy and will therefore improve the concentration function of the brain.

5. Stay Hydrated

   When the body is depleted of fluid, blood will not be pushed towards the major organs. In the case of concentration, blood going into the brain will be reduced when the body is dehydrated. The solution therefore is to increase fluid intake. But do not simply take any fluids. There are fluids that can actually blur the concentration, such as alcoholic drinks, and this is not what is being desired. Instead drink tea, fruit juice or simply water to keep oneself hydrated and the push the blood that carries oxygen and nutrients into the brain. By doing so, concentration is improved.

6. Exercise

   There are several studies showing that the more exercise is performed, the more the concentration is improved. When one exercises, oxygen floods into the brain. Moreover, there is increase in the amounts of dopamine released by the body. Dopamine has long been pointed out to be effective in increasing concentration. Additionally, when one exercises, stress is reduced. Because of this, the brain is stimulated to concentrate. Exercise, especially aerobic exercises, must always be included in one’s daily activity in order to enhance one’s focusing abilities.

Sources
brucebud1.over-blog.com
voices.yahoo.com
altmedicine.about.com
betterhealth.vic.gov.au