5 Factors that affect concentration

Factors that control your concentration

1. Train your brain

Playing certain types of games can help you get better at concentrating.
Try: sudoku, crossword puzzles, chess, jigsaw puzzles, word searches or scrambles, memory games.

Results of a 2015 study of 4,715 adults by Trusted Source suggest spending 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, on brain training activities can have a big impact on concentration. Brain training games can also help you develop your working and short-term memory, as well as your processing and problem-solving skills.

2. Get your game on

Brain games may not be the only type of game that can help improve concentration. Newer research also suggests playing video games could help boost concentration.
A 2018 study looking at 29 people found evidence to suggest an hour of gaming could help improve visual selective attention (VSA). VSA refers to your ability to concentrate on a specific task while ignoring distractions around you.
This study was limited by its small size, so these findings aren’t conclusive. The study also didn’t determine how long this increase in VSA lasted.
Study authors recommend future research to continue exploring how video games can help increase brain activity and boost concentration.

A 2017 review Trusted Source looked at 100 studies examining the effects video games could have on cognitive function. The results of the review suggest playing video games may lead to various changes in the brain, including increased attention and focus.

This review had several limitations, including the fact that the studies focused on widely varying topics, including video game addiction and possible effects of violent video games. Studies specifically designed to explore benefits of video games could help support these findings.

3. Improve sleep

Sleep deprivation can easily disrupt concentration, not to mention other cognitive functions, such as memory and attention.

Occasional sleep deprivation may not cause too many problems for you. But regularly failing to get a good night’s sleep can affect your mood and performance at work.
Being too tired can even slow down your reflexes and affect your ability to drive or do other daily tasks.

A demanding schedule, health issues, and other factors sometimes make it difficult to get enough sleep. But it’s important to try and get as close to the recommended amount as possible on most nights.

4. Make time for exercise

Increased concentration is among the many benefits of regular exercise. Exercise benefits everyone. A 2018 study looking at 116 fifth-graders found evidence to suggest daily physical activity could help improve both concentration and attention after just 4 weeks.

Other research Trusted Source looking at older adults suggests just a year of moderate aerobic physical activity can help stop or even reverse memory loss that occurs with brain atrophy related to age.
Although aerobic exercise is recommended, doing what you can is better than doing nothing at all. Depending on your personal fitness and weight goals, you may want to exercise more or less.

But sometimes it just isn’t possible to get the recommended amount of exercise, especially if you live with physical or mental health challenges.

5. Spend time in nature

If you want to boost your concentration naturally, try to get outside every day, even for just 15 to 20 minutes. You might take a short walk through a park. Sitting in your garden or backyard can also help. Any natural environment has benefits.