When workers’ minds wander, it can make it very difficult to focus on the task at hand and maintain optimal productivity levels. As less gets done, most people experience elevated stress levels and greater levels of frustration, creating a negative feedback loop. Thankfully, there are some effective lifestyle changes and strategies for maintaining a focus that can help distracted workers get back on track.
- Create a Dedicated Work Space
With so many people making the transition to working from home since the start of the COVID pandemic, it should come as no surprise that distractions have been rearing their ugly heads far more often. The most effective way to create a dedicated space for work that cuts out distractions is to search for office space near me and take out a membership at a coworking space. If that’s not possible, try creating some extra space by devoting one room of the house exclusively to work and making sure that kids, spouses, friends, and pets all know to avoid it until after-hours.
- Focus on One Task at a Time
Some people like to think that multitasking helps them get more things done faster, but research shows that they’re generally mistaken. People who multitask are less productive, have poorer information recall, and have a harder time focusing on the different tasks they’re attempting to accomplish. Instead of trying to multitask and winding up delivering inaccurate, low-quality output, stay focused on one thing at a time to prevent the mind from wandering.
- Start Meditating
Not all of the techniques for taming a wandering mind involve changing the work environment or strategies for getting things done. Adopting a meditation routine before or after work can make it easier to maintain focus and concentrate. Daily meditation helps to enhance focus even when practitioners are not in a meditative state.
- Take Breaks Throughout the Day
Sometimes, a wandering mind can be tamed by allowing it to run free for a few minutes at a time throughout the workday. Devoting some time to going for walks, sitting in quiet contemplation, or letting the mind wander can make it easier to get back on track after a short break, especially when workers are performing mentally taxing activities.
- Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can take its toll not just on a person’s physical health, but also on his or her mental health. More specifically, it can induce or exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety, both of which can make it harder to focus at work and in people’s personal lives. While there’s no way for most modern Americans to remove 100% of the stress from their lives, it’s not as hard as some people think to develop healthier coping mechanisms for dealing with stressful situations.
- Improve Working Memory
People with greater working memory capacity tend to be better able to maintain focus. Those who struggle with this cognitive function can improve their working memory capacities by meditating, exercising, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and possibly taking nootropic supplements.
Get Back on Track
Some people are more prone to mind-wandering than others, but committing to making positive lifestyle changes and adopting better strategies for dealing with the problem can help. Start at the top of the list and try implementing each tip. It may take multiple changes to get that wandering mind fully under control.
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