How To *Actually* Focus

[Listen to an audio version of this blog HERE.]

There are a LOT of focusing tips and tricks floating around the internet. My Google algorithm must know that I’ve been feeling extra distracted/exhausted lately, because I’ve been inundated with half-hearted tips such as, “be more mindful,” “focus on small, reachable goals,” and my favorite, “write a to-do list,” because writing things down makes them R-e-A-l.

Focusing might feel hard right now because there’s a worldwide pandemic occurring (read more about that here). We’re all spending more time in front of screens which (no wonder) has been shown to negatively impact our ability to concentrate. Below are some tips and tricks to help you focus (these will not solve all your problems).

1. Get Outside & Exercise

Lucy Jo Palladino, Ph.D, psychologist and author of Find Your Focus Zone: An Effective New Plan to Defeat Distraction and Overload, writes that a quick walk outdoors is an effective way to reset your brain and return to work more focused. Exercising before you start your workday has also been shown to increase focus and productivity. Even 20 minutes of physical activity can ignite endorphins and boost energy levels. I personally notice a huge increase in my productivity when I exercise before work.