How to Deal With Lack of Focus

Lack of focus can interfere with your ability to function in daily life. When you find your mind wandering at important times, such as business meetings, during conversations or when you are working on a project that requires concentration, lack of focus can be a real problem. Sometimes lack of focus is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, menopause, pregnancy, chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. Whatever the cause of your lack of focus, there are several things that you can do to improve concentration.

Instructions

• 1

  Physicians are familiar with illnesses that cause lack of focus.

  Consult your physician. Since lack of focus can be a symptom of various conditions, getting a thorough checkup should be your first step. Your doctor can rule out or identify any physical causes of your inability to concentrate.

• 2

  Learn to meditate. The practice of medication will slow your breathing and pulse rate and reduce your stress level. Doing so can help you contain racing thoughts and improve concentration throughout the day -- not just during meditation.

• 3

  Exercise regularly. Exercise is shown to aid depression and anxiety -- both causes of a lack of focus. Even mild depression can inhibit the ability to concentrate on the task at hand, so anything you can do to improve this will help. Exercise also increases blood flow to the brain, the organ of the body which controls mental focus.

• 4

  Practice good nutrition. Eat balanced meals consisting of nutritious foods and take a daily multivitamin. If you experience problems with mental clarity, consider specific supplements recommended for improving concentration and focus.

• 5

  Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep and exhaustion are leading causes of an inability to concentrate. When you're running on empty, it's hard to control your mind and point it in one direction. Ensure that your sleep is adequate in quantity and quality.

• 6

  Shut out all distractions when you need to focus. Rather than trying to work at the corner coffee shop, try working at home in a room with the door closed, television off and the telephone off the hook. Distractions are a leading cause of inability to concentrate.