Best Ways to Improve Your Mental Focus

Being alert, focused, and on top of your game can be paramount for busy working professionals. However, as much as you know you need to be at your best, your brain can have other ideas. 

If you’re struggling to focus and remain on task, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to help your situation. Fortunately, the following information may be helpful for improving your mental focus. 

While you might have a healthy, well-balanced diet, there’s no harm in looking for the best focus supplements to take your brain health to the next level. Giving your brain a few extra essential ingredients in the form of scientific research-based nootropics may allow you to push through that fog you’ve been experiencing and be the achiever you know you can be. 

Some of the best brain focus supplements on the market are packed full of healthy ingredients that assist with stress mitigation, brain nourishment, focus and memory, mood support, and more. However, to ensure you’re choosing the best of the best, look out for nootropics that have been formulated by doctors and align with the latest scientific research. 

A well-rounded diet is one with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. However, some of the best ingredients for improving your mental focus can be found in a wide variety of foods. They also often feature in high-quality brain focus supplements. 

Curcumin comes from the turmeric root and often features in curry powder and turmeric spices. It may be able to improve your mental focus, mood, and raise your dopamine levels for better motivation and concentration. 

Omega-3 oils are also another excellent addition to your diet for mental focus, and they are not something your body can produce. Omega-3 oils can be found in fatty fish, plant oils, and chia seeds. As they boost the secretion of hippocampal BDNF, you may notice improved concentration levels and memory. 

Choline is an often overlooked nutrient that is used to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is necessary for healthy brain development and improving mood and memory. Broccoli is a great source of choline, as well as other nutrients such as uridine and Vitamin C. 

Studies have shown that by spending just 15 minutes per day for five days a week doing brain training activities, you may be able to improve your concentration levels. Games like chess, jigsaw puzzles, memory games, and sudoku may also improve your short-term memory while assisting with the development of problem-solving skills. 

However, it’s not just brain training games that have been shown to provide some of these benefits. Some studies have found that video games may be beneficial for visual selective attention (VSA). This means that you may be better able to focus on a select task while blocking out everything else around you. 

While meditation has been proven to help with stress and anxiety, it may also be an excellent way to improve your mental focus. Long-term meditation practices like deep breathing and yoga may help with improved concentration, memory enhancement, and many other cognitive abilities. 

The best part is, it takes very little time out of your day. Depending on the meditation type, you may only need to set aside 20 minutes a day. 

You might not think that getting less than the recommended amount of sleep is a big deal, but it can be. Sleep deprivation can impair brain functions such as decision-making and memory. It also has the potential to affect your immune system, leading to an increased risk of infection. 

Given sleep deprivation’s dramatic impact on our mental abilities in the long term, it may be worth your time to improve your sleep hygiene. Go to bed at the same time each night, and get out of bed at the same time each morning. 

Cutting out caffeinated beverages in the afternoon, avoiding screen time at night, and investing in blackout curtains can also be ways to lay a healthy foundation for sleep. 

Exercise

We’re often told that exercise is beneficial for our physical health, but research shows it’s also helpful for our mental health. Those who exercise frequently may experience sharper memory and thinking due to the release of endorphins. These hormones trigger feelings of positivity in the body which may assist with stress reduction, concentration, and more. 

Studies have also shown that exercise stimulates brain cell growth while helping to prevent age-related decline.

Improving your focus for a more productive working week is not a five-minute job. It can take time, finding the right balance of techniques and making significant life changes. However, if you’re ready to make leaps and bounds in your professional life, you may see the value in brain focus supplements, a new exercise and sleep routine, and a few small dietary changes.