How To Focus and Concentrate in a Digital World
Because getting away from the internet is a skill in itself.
Some
time ago, I realised that my attention span has decreased a lot in
the last few years. I used to be an avid reader, as well as someone
who could watch films every day for entertainment. Today, I find that
the only source of entertainment I always come back to is instant,
short, snappy content: Instagram pictures and Stories, YouTube
videos, or blog posts. I seem to have lost the ability to focus for a
long time, and even when I'm working, the temptation to scroll
through my phone is often distracting me from my goals.
Ultimately,
I think this is a symptom of our time: we are drawn to our little
screens, we want very visual content which brings us an instant
reaction and satisfaction. Our attention span reduces because we
don't need to pay attention anymore. Everything is thrown at us and
we just absorb it, to forget it straight after and make space for the new
content we'll see next.
In this context, I think it's important that we don't focus the ability to focus properly. This is a big deal especially when it comes to mindfulness and relaxation, as well as switching off from the buzzing world around us to take time for self-care. So here are some tips I have been using to work on being more focussed:
In this context, I think it's important that we don't focus the ability to focus properly. This is a big deal especially when it comes to mindfulness and relaxation, as well as switching off from the buzzing world around us to take time for self-care. So here are some tips I have been using to work on being more focussed:
READ MORE (NO KIDDING)
It
may sound like simple and basic advice, but we should never overlook
the fact that we probably don't read as much as we should, and most likely not as much as we used to when we were younger - and didn't have
that many screen distractions. Truth is, reading is a great
stress-reliever, and good exercise for the brain: we have to focus on
the words, on the plot, and I find that prolonged reading sessions
(i.e. at least a good twenty minutes) make you work on your
concentration levels. So whether it be a novel, poems, the newspaper,
graphic novels - take the time, every single day, to read at least
twenty to thirty minutes. I have been doing that every morning for
the past month, reading a few chapters when I wake up and it really
makes me feel relaxed to start off the day.
PUT YOUR SCREENS AWAY
If
you are used to face screens for hours on end, you need some down
time during the day to rest your eyes and brain. Giving your eyes a
break gives you time for other things, and this could be as simple as
taking a five-minute nap, reading a (paper) magazine, preparing
yourself a little snack or having a workout session. It might be the
smaller day-to-day activity, but when you're addicted to your phone
screen (like I am, although it pains me to admit it..!) every little
thing that you willingly do to take a break from screens will make
you feel good about yourself. It may seem silly, but every effort you
put towards making this digital 'detox' happen will be rewarding and
motivate you to do even more!
ENJOY THE SILENCE
This
is the part that I would like to self-care and mindfulness the most:
taking some time, as often as possible, to sit in silence and let
your thoughts and ideas unfold. If you enjoy it, you might also
practice yoga or meditation, but since it is not something I do, I
keep my advice mainly to what works for me - but meditation is
definitely a way to focus on the moment and get rid of information
overload. Silence helps you center yourself and feel more aware of
every stream of thought that goes into your brain. Light a candle or
play some white noise in the background if it helps, and take the
time to just do nothing. You may find, if you are used to a busy
lifestyle, that staying there doing nothing can be very difficult,
but plan this time into your routine and schedule and you will very
quickly see the benefits of this little silence break in your
everyday life.
What do you do to focus when you've had a digital overload?
Lots of love,
Julia x
Lots of love,
Julia x
