Being able to concentrate on a task can prove frustratingly difficult. It’s all too easy to get distracted or to have your concentration broken by interruptions. However, it is possible to train your brain and improve concentration, minimising its tendency to be distracted. The result is clearer thinking, sharper focus and the ability to complete tasks quicker and more accurately.
Boosting concentration takes time, practice and patience. As with physical exercise, mentally training your brain and improving concentration needs regular workouts. Here are some top tips to help you achieve this.
Improve your mind with our guide to 12 essential tips for boosting brain health.
Tips to help improve concentration
1. Do daily exercises to improve concentration
Find a quiet place away with as few distractions as possible to practise concentration exercises. Take 10-15 minutes each day in this peaceful place to practice a concentration exercise. Aim to complete the task without getting distracted, but if you do, start the training again and keep practising for the full 15 minutes. Remember – it can take weeks to master these concentration workouts. Try the following to get you started:
- Backwards counting – count down from 100 to 1 in your mind.
- Skip counting – count from 1 to 100 but avoiding specific numbers. For example, try counting but avoiding every odd or even number.
- Paragraph counting – open a book and select a paragraph. Count the number of words without getting distracted, then count them again and check you get the same result. Move to two, then three paragraphs as you improve.
- Object examination – pick an object, such as a mug or ornament. Hold it in your hands for 2 minutes, concentrating on the feel, weight, colour and texture. Close your eyes and try to concentrate on visualising an image of the object. The aim is to visualise it with as much clarity as possible. Try to hold the mental picture for as long as you can.
2. Limit distractions
Avoid sensory overload when you need to concentrate. Switch off the radio, turn off the TV, sit away from traffic or conversation noise, and clear your desk of clutter. Limiting distractions helps stop your mind from wandering.
3. Try meditation to improve concentration
Sign up to meditation classes or consider taking a meditation course. Spending time clearing your mind of distractions, developing calmness and peace will allow you to improve your focus. When meditating, concentrate on slowing your breathing, and practice at least five minutes per day. As well as meditation, yoga is a fantastic way to improve both body and mind.
4. Plan your time
Create to-do lists, and sit down each morning to work on updating the list and ticking off tasks. A handy ‘to do’ note pad can help. We’re able to concentrate better earlier in the day, and to-do lists keep us on track and focused on completing tasks.
5. Play chess to aid focus
Learning chess requires long periods of concentration. Chess requires that you have to plot both your and your opponent’s possible moves, requiring you to hold complex scenarios in your mind.
- 🌈 Discover the timeless allure of chess with our meticulously crafted Chess Set. Designed for both beginners and seasoned players, this classic game of strategy will captivate your mind and elevate...
- 🔶 Our Chess Set features a beautifully designed 34 x 34-cm wooden board, carefully crafted with precision and durability in mind. The board showcases a stunning checkered pattern, alternating light...
- 🎨 Each piece in the set is meticulously carved from premium wood, exuding elegance and sophistication. The intricate detailing brings the characters to life, making every move a visual delight. The...
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Take up painting
It’s easy to give up on this hobby, as it demands concentration to pursue painting a piece of art until it’s finished. Practising and developing painting skills can help improve concentration.
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: 1 x french easel, 1 x wood palette, 10x60ml acrylic paint set, 8 x canvases, 1 x 15-brush set, 3 x acrylic mediums, 1 x eraser, 1 x pencil, 1 x retractable utility knife, 2 x...
- PREMIUM MULTIFUNCTIONAL EASEL: The easel is made of premium beech wood that can be adjusted from a floor-stand easel to a tabletop easel, designed to fit for both plein air and studio painting. And...
- ARTIST-GRADE PAINTS: The artist-grade paint set is 100% safe and non-toxic, conforming to ASTM D-4236 stantard. 10 tubes of paint with a modeling paste, a gel medium, and a gloss varnish that can...
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Make time for reading books
Sitting quietly for an hour and entirely focusing on a narrative within a book can do wonders for concentration.
8. Knitting improves concentration
Knitting demands continuous fine motor skills and focuses on achieving, and the more intricate the knit, the more focus and concentration it requires.
- The Perfect Choice: Whether you’re thinking of taking up a new hobby that will help relax and unwind after a hard day or you’re a fan of knitting and crocheting, these knitting accessories are...
- Complete Set: These knitting kits for beginners adults include everything you need for a complete and rewarding experience! You’ll receive 12 x silver hooks, 36 x bamboo knitting needles,5 x crochet...
- Ideal for Everyone: This crochet set was designed having in mind a user-friendly experience, being ideal for beginners, pros, artisans, teens and adults. Order it for yourself or as a thoughtful...
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Play video games
Zapping aliens or racing virtual cars isn’t just for teenagers. Playing fast-paced video games require intense concentration and focus. Don’t let space battles put you off – Nintendo makes some great fast-paced family-friendly games that are easy to use.
Can you eat your way to a healthier brain? Read our guide to the best brain foods to fuel your mind. Want more advice? Read up on 10 more brain training tips and techniques you can try today to help improve your memory.
- Meet the newest member of the Nintendo Switch family
- The new system features a vibrant 7-inch OLED screen, a wide adjustable stand, a dock with a wired LAN port, 64 GB of internal storage, and enhanced audio.
- Play anytime, anywhere, with anyone. Nintendo Switch can transform to suit your situation, so you can play the games you want, no matter how busy life may be.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best-selling books
Want to read more to improve concentration? Check out our list of best-selling books on Amazon.
- The Housemaid: An Absolutely Addictive Psychological Thriller With A Jaw Dropping Twist
- Brand:Bookouture
- Product type:ABIS BOOK
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Jones, Ruth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Maurier, Daphne Du (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Hart, Emilia (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Hannah, Kristin (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Maas, Sarah J. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 448 Pages - 06/02/2020 (Publication Date) - Bloomsbury Publishing (Publisher)
- McFadden, Freida (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 07/06/2023 (Publication Date) - Bookouture (Publisher)
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You may be interested in…
This article may include affiliate links to products and services where we may receive a small fee to support the running of this site if you make a purchase or is a sponsored article from one of our select editorial partners providing valuable advice and information to our readers.
