By TYSAI MARTINEZ
Staff Writer
School is once again back in session for the 2022-2023 school year! Along with school comes lots of other priorities as well. One of those priorities of course includes homework. In this digital world of ours, it’s easy to get distracted from our main priorities. To combat this, here are some ways you can improve your focus so you’re able to stay on top of your work:
- Put the phone away
We’ve all heard this plenty of times, but putting away the phone actually really helps—even if you just turn off your ringer. Ever heard of the saying “out of sight, out of mind”?
- Tidy up your work area
Your environment has a big impact on your mental state. Attempting to study or do your work in a cluttered, unorganized environment can cause you to feel overwhelmed, which can in turn negatively affect your concentration.
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep
The majority of teens don’t get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can have a wide range of side effects. Such effects can include fatigue, low alertness, poor concentration and memory, and an increase in one’s ability to get distracted. In the long term, sleep deprivation can eventually lead to serious health problems. So think twice before you decide to pick up that phone and spend those valuable hours scrolling on TikTok.
- Get active
Everyone knows that exercise is good for overall health but did you know that it can also help improve your focus? Exercise can boost blood flow to the brain and even boost levels of dopamine and serotonin. Both of these chemicals can have a positive effect on your ability to concentrate.
If all fails and you still can’t seem to focus, it may just be time to take some time away from that certain project you’re working on. In the meantime, you could play with your pets, talk with family and friends, or even just do something you genuinely enjoy. Just make sure you don’t get distracted by that phone again.