HEALTH: How to Improve Your Attention Span in a Distracted World: The Verywell Mind Podcast

lunes, 15 de noviembre de 2021

How to Improve Your Attention Span in a Distracted World: The Verywell Mind Podcast

Improve Your Attention Span in a Distracted World With Psychology Professor Amishi Jha

Amy Morin, LCSW
Verywell Mind Editor-in-Chief

On today's episode, I talk with Amishi Jha, PhD, a professor of psychology and researcher on the science of attention in a distracted world.

She discusses her new book called "Peak Mind," and how we can improve our attention spans and become better focused in just 12 minutes a day.

Why Amishi Jha Is Mentally Strong

Amishi has conducted extensive research surrounding attention spans. She's uncovered several important lessons about why we're so distracted and the steps we can take to improve our focus.

Now, she's sharing what she's learned and the strategies that can help. This is especially important in today's digital world where there are so many things vying for our attention at any given moment.

She makes it clear that we need to become more intentional about what we pay attention to. And she gives step-by-step instructions on how to get better at focusing our attention in an easy-to-understand way.

Every moment I notice I'm distracted, I can actually do something about it. I can redirect back, or I can allow myself to wander wherever the heck I want without feeling kind of guilty about it."

— Amishi Jha

What You'll Hear on the Show

Why it seems like our attention spans have gotten so much worse
The impact COVID has had on our attention span
How to modify your environment in a way that makes it easier to stay on task
The difference between ADHD and normal struggles with staying on task
The components of attention and the flashlight analogy
How to start practicing mindfulness
The benefits you'll gain from becoming more mindful
How keeping a pen and paper handy can improve your focus
The link between mood and attention
Why it's healthy to allow your mind to wander sometimes

What You'll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength

Some mental health issues can affect our attention spans. Depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and OCD, for example, make it difficult to concentrate.

Attention span problems aren't always a sign of a mental health issue though. Many people struggle to focus.

Fortunately, there are steps all of us can take to improve our ability to pay attention. And when we do, we'll be able to be more present throughout our day.

A peak mind is not one in which we never experience fear, grief, sadness, uncertainty, or even ambiguity about a situation, but training the mind so that we can maneuver through those difficult circumstances with more ease instead of working against ourselves."

— Amishi Jha