In recent years, the use of technology has rapidly increased, with social media in particular now giving us all of the information that we need in 30 seconds or less. Has this had an impact on our attention spans?
In a survey by Kings College London, 66% believed that young people’s attention spans had declined in recent years, suggesting that the new generation is less attentive than ever. Although we don’t have enough evidence yet to decide if this is actually true, it is important that we prioritise teaching our children the techniques to self-regulate a focus-boosting mindset.
Here are some suggestions to implement this at home:
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a term that has increased in popularity over the years, as focus on wellbeing has become a priority. The NHS suggests that mindfulness helps us to become more aware of our stream of consciousness, useful for noticing our negative thought cycles. However, this can also be useful for controlling our intrusive thoughts that attack our state of focus. Overtime, practising mindfulness can help to boost our ability to control our thoughts and, therefore, concentrate for longer.
Take breaks
It may seem counterproductive to promote stopping work to improve focus, but working in manageable stages can increase effectiveness of the task. Research suggests that the brain works best when switching from an unfocused state to a focused state.
One effective way of achieving this is through the Pomodoro technique. This is a method typically involving 25 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute break. However, this can be adapted to best suit your attention span. You'll be happy to know that it is most effective when the break is used to reward, as positive reinforcement increases our motivation to continue.
Routine
Having a routine is important for productivity in all aspects of life and it is, of course, no different for studying. There are several aspects to consider when creating a study routine: what, where and when. First of all, it is important to know what needs to be achieved before diving in at the deep end. Many people find it most effective to make lists, as they provide a clear structure and a sense of accomplishment upon completion.
It is also important to have a dedicated space for study, preferably somewhere where nothing else takes place. This helps to promote context dependent learning, as we now associate this space with study. Avoid starting work in places that you save for relaxation, as the brain will find it much harder to focus and much easier to fall asleep!
Finally, dedicate a specific time to focus. Every individual has a unique timeframe when they are most focused, so you can experiment with this and find a time when you are most productive. This enables our brains to prepare for focus. so that we can better achieve in this time :)