How to Test (and Increase) Your Attention Span

Image for article titled How to Test (and Increase) Your Attention Span

Photo: Andrii Zastrozhnov (Shutterstock)

We’ll keep this brief.

Over the past few years, you’ve likely seen at least one article claiming that humans’ attention spans are shrinking, to the point where even goldfish are more focused than we are.

And though a 2017 BBC article took the time to comb through the statistics and their sources that produced this figure, calling into question its validity, many people openly describe themselves as having a short attention span. Some even refer to having or “being” ADHD (referring to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), as though it was an annoying habit, instead of a serious clinical diagnosis.

So how do you know if you really do have an unusually short attention span? And what can you do to improve yours? Here’s what to know.

How to tell if you have a short attention span

Just to reiterate: The terms “short attention span” and “ADHD” are not interchangeable. If you are concerned that you may have ADHD (a clinical condition), it’s something to discuss with your healthcare provider.

If you’re curious about the approximate length of your attention span, however, there are some online assessments you can take, including this one from Psychology Today, or this concentration test from MentalUp. To be clear, these are not diagnostic tests, but may be helpful to some people who are looking to identify areas they might want to work on.

How to increase your attention span

There’s no quick-fix for improving your attention span, but here are a few strategies that may help:

Mindfulness exercises

If you’re new to mindfulness, there’s no need to jump right in and attempt to do it as a regular practice—start with some basic exercises, like the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. The point of this, and other grounding exercises, is to pay attention to your surroundings, taking the time to notice what’s around you. Not only could this help with anxiety, but it may also train your brain to be more attentive.

Engage in active listening

In case you’re not familiar with the term, “active listening” is making a conscious effort not only to hear what another person is saying, but to take the time and mental energy to listen to and process it as well. Similar to mindfulness, the point of active listening is to become more attentive.

Take breaks

This may sound counterintuitive—especially if it feels like you’re already taking a lot of mental breaks when you’re unable to focus on something—but giving yourself an actual, intentional break can make a huge difference. And when we say “break,” we mean standing up and relocating for five to 10 minutes.

You can use this time to go to the restroom, get more water or a snack, stretch, pop outside for a few minutes—whatever feels best to you. Because you’ve mentally approved this break, you can enjoy all the attention-boosting benefits without the guilt you may feel when you “accidentally” start scrolling through Instagram or online shopping when you’re supposed to be working.

Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here

Related Posts
Amazon Echo Buds zum Start stark vergünstigt thumbnail

Amazon Echo Buds zum Start stark vergünstigt

16.02.2022 Mit fast einem Jahr Verzögerung gibt es Amazons In-Ear-Kopfhörer jetzt auch in Österreich und Deutschland. In den USA wurden die Echo Buds Generation 2 (Echo Buds 2) schon im April 2021 vorgestellt. Erst jetzt haben es die kabellosen In-Ear-Kopfhörer nach Österreich und Deutschland geschafft. Als kleinen Trost für das lange Warten gibt es zum…
Read More
Paleontologists Find Exceptionally Preserved Embryo inside 70-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Egg thumbnail

Paleontologists Find Exceptionally Preserved Embryo inside 70-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Egg

The fossilized dinosaur egg from the Hekou Formation, Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, southern China, is elongate ovoid in shape with dimensions of 16.7 cm long by 7.6 cm wide, and has characteristics typical of the egg family Elongatoolithidae. Dubbed ‘Baby Yingliang,’ the embryo belongs to an oviraptorosaur, a toothless theropod dinosaur closely related to birds. Among…
Read More
Surprenante découverte d'un « dragon des mers » géant au Royaume-Uni thumbnail

Surprenante découverte d’un « dragon des mers » géant au Royaume-Uni

Les ichtyosaures ont peuplé les océans du monde entre 250 et 90 millions d'années environ avant notre ère. Un spécimen géant dont la découverte est demeurée secrète durant un an de fouilles et de travail de paléontologues entre aujourd'hui dans la lumière.Le plus grand squelette fossile d'ichtyosaure de Grande-Bretagne vient d'être découvert ! La révélation vient…
Read More
How to Use Spoiler Formatting for Messages in Telegram thumbnail

How to Use Spoiler Formatting for Messages in Telegram

Samir MakwanaYou can hide spoilers on Telegram to avoid ruining a movie, a book, or other information for your friends. Here’s how you can use new spoilers formatting to hide messages in Telegram. Using the spoiler formatting means other members won’t have to mute chats to avoid seeing spoilers. Spoilers are revealed only to the people…
Read More
Scientists invent lead-free composite shielding material for neutrons and gamma-rays thumbnail

Scientists invent lead-free composite shielding material for neutrons and gamma-rays

Schematic diagram of shielding mechanism of modified nano composite shielding material. Credit: Huo Zhiping Dr. Huo Zhipeng and his student Zhao Sheng from the Hefei Institutes of physical science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently developed a lead-free neutron and gamma ray composite shielding material that has high shielding properties and is environmentally friendly. Their…
Read More
Index Of News
Total
0
Share