- With Mayo Clinic internist
Amit Sood, M.D.
Staying healthy (12)
- Will an air purifier eliminate cigarette smoke?
- Cellphones and cancer: What's the risk?
- Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
- see all in Staying healthy
Dental care (7)
- When to brush your teeth
- Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
- Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
- see all in Dental care
Skin care (9)
- Hydrated skin: Does drinking water help?
- Foods for healthy skin: Top picks
- Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker?
- see all in Skin care
Nail care (4)
- Split fingernails: Can they be prevented?
- Acrylic nails: Can they harm natural nails?
- Nail biting: Does it cause long-term damage?
- see all in Nail care
Eye care (2)
- Eye exam: Is a laser retina scan worthwhile?
- Choosing sunglasses: Is UV protection important?
Sleep (7)
- How many hours of sleep are enough?
- Sleep and weight gain: What's the connection?
- Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- see all in Sleep
Mental health (2)
- Stop multitasking and learn how to focus
- Passive-aggressive behavior: What are the red flags?
Healthy at work (4)
- Shift work: Improving daytime sleep
- Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
- Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting: A concern?
- see all in Healthy at work
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Question
Stop multitasking and learn how to focus
Multitasking isn't working for me. Any tips on how to focus my attention and improve my concentration?
Answer
from Amit Sood, M.D.
Many people find it hard to focus, but it is a skill you can develop. Try these suggestions for improving your focus:
- Screen out distractions. Start by turning off the TV, putting down your phone and logging out of email. Not convinced it'll help? Try this experiment: Eliminate noncritical screen time for two days and see how much more you get done.
- Plan for peaks and valleys. Are you a morning person? Then don't squander that time on email. Instead use it to tackle projects that require your full concentration. Low energy in the afternoon? That's the time to go through your inbox or catch up on your filing.
- Put it out of your mind. Too many mental notes make for a cluttered mind. All that unfinished business saps your mental energy. So dump it. Put whatever's on your mind on paper or capture it digitally. Think of it as off-site storage.
- Train your brain. Any skill worth having requires practice. Learning to focus is no different. Invest time in mastering attention training or meditation — both are great ways to practice taming distractions and improving focus.
What's the payoff? You'll not only get more done but also enjoy more flow — when you're so absorbed in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. Flow creates a sense of fulfillment and engagement and, yes, even contentment.
Next questionHealthy heart for life: Avoiding heart disease
References
- Snyder CR, et al. Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications Inc.; 2007:15.
- Rock D. Your Brain at Work. New York, N.Y.: Harper Collins; 2009:253.
- Sood A. Train Your Brain, Engage Your Heart, Transform Your Life. Rochester, Minn.: Morning Dew Publications; 2010:123.
- van den Hurk PA, et al. Greater efficiency in attentional processing related to mindfulness meditation. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2010;63:1168.
- Kustenmacher T. How to Simplify Your Life: Seven Practical Steps to Letting Go of Your Burdens and Living a Happier Life. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2004:136.
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