{"id":2476,"date":"2018-02-13T09:16:43","date_gmt":"2018-02-13T15:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.headwaycapital.com\/blog\/?p=2476"},"modified":"2020-10-05T15:39:15","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T20:39:15","slug":"focus-wandering-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headwaycapital.com\/blog\/focus-wandering-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways to Focus a Wandering Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

Disclaimer: This post was originally published on our UK partner\u2019s site.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s probably no surprise that the human mind has a tendency to wander. Scientific research has discovered that this trait is almost ubiquitous among humans, and most of us experience it regularly..<\/p>\n

While the neural basis for mind wandering remained something of a mystery until recently, research has begun to uncover what triggers it. Research psychologist Peter Killeen found that the neurons in our brain can function with their own energy for only about 12 seconds before needing to refuel. If they can\u2019t source more lactate or glucose \u2013 their favourite fuels \u2013 the neurons begin functioning at a reduced level. Other areas of the brain start calling for attention, and we experience a deficit in our attention<\/a>. In other words, our mind starts to wander.<\/p>\n

Constant mind wandering is a source of frustration for many people. In their study \u201cA Wandering Mind is an Unhappy Mind<\/a>,\u201d researchers found that that experiencing a regular lack of concentration has a negative impact on overall mood and state of mind. In short, people were less happy when their minds wandered.<\/p>\n

Luckily, research into ways of combating this phenomenon is also plentiful. And while we may never be able to eliminate our mind\u2019s propensity for wandering, there are lots of simple techniques that can help improve concentration and focus.<\/p>\n

It may seem counterintuitive, but consuming a bit of caffeine or adding a deliberate distraction (like instrumental music) has actually been found to reduce distractibility. Research also shows that meditation and breathwork improve focus. Try a breath-counting meditation to cleanse distracting thoughts and boost concentration power, or practice a Naam Yoga hand trick by applying pressure to the space between your second and third knuckles (index and middle fingers) for an instant sense of calm.<\/p>\n

If all else fails, grab a stick of your favourite spearmint gum. Not only does chewing gum increase alertness and improve attention span, but researchers also found that the menthol in spearmint helps relieve stress that can cause mind wandering.<\/p>\n

Next time you\u2019re feeling a little distracted, try out some of these techniques and see if you can bring your mind back on task.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"9<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>
\nBaer, D. (2013) Why your mind keeps wandering<\/a>. salon.com<\/strong>
\nWilliams, C. (2017) 7 ways to tame your wandering mind and achieve better focus<\/a>. newscientist.com<\/strong>
\nMartinuzzi, B. (2013) Stay Focused: 8 Ways to Boost Your Attention Span<\/a>. americanexpress.com<\/strong>
\nVozza, S. (2015) 8 Ways To Improve Your Focus<\/a>. fastcompany.com<\/strong>
\nShellenbarger, S. (2014) The Power of the Doodle: Improve Your Focus and Memory<\/a>. wsj.com<\/strong>
\nBond, Annie, B. (2001) 8 Tips to Focus Your Mind<\/a>. care2.com<\/strong>
\nMelnick, M. (2013) 20 Scientifically Backed Ways To De-Stress Right Now<\/a>. huffingtonpost.ca<\/strong>
\nGoleman, D. (2015) Three Ways to Focus the Wandering Mind<\/a>.<\/strong> mindful.org<\/strong>
\nThe Globe and Mail. (2013) Can gum chewing really help students focus?<\/a> theglobeandmail.com<\/strong>
\nOrganic Facts. (2017) 8 Surprising Benefits of Spearmint<\/a>. organicfacts.net<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Disclaimer: This post was originally published on our UK partner\u2019s site.   It\u2019s probably no surprise that the human mind …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":2477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[614],"tags":[479,478,355],"class_list":["post-2476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infographics","tag-attention","tag-focus","tag-productivity"],"yoast_head":"\n9 Ways to Focus a Wandering Mind - Headway Capital Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have trouble focusing on the things that matter? 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