10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Concentration

Use these simple steps to improve your concentration and keep your mind sharp.

Having trouble concentrating? You're not alone! With today's frenzied pace of life, it's easy to be overwhelmed with demands on your time, and even easier to get distracted. Try using a few simple steps to recharge your mind and reclaim your focus.

Eliminate Distractions
Not to state the obvious, but to really concentrate, it's important to eliminate or at least minimize distractions. But what is distracting to one person may not be for another. Me, I like to listen to music to concentrate, but for some people, it just makes them want to throw things across the room. Identify your distractions – anything from noise to phones to people - and do what you can to reduce their distraction potential.

Take a Break
This may seem counterproductive to concentrating, but letting your mind wander or indulging in a change of scenery for a few minutes can be very beneficial and allow you to more easily refocus when you return to the task at hand.

Exercise
Exercise helps ease tension and goes a long way toward improving your concentration. Whether you exercise in the morning or evening or take a quick 5 minute walk when you need a break, exercise helps melt away the stress of looming deadlines or problems and helps you think more clearly. Plus it makes you healthier and look good, too!

Build up Your Stamina
Even though this sounds like something athletes do, you can apply it to focusing on a task, as well. When you're having a particularly tough time staying focused enough to finish a task, simply push yourself to go a little farther. For instance, set a small goal to work just 5 more minutes or read 5 more pages. Your mental stamina will improve, and chances are that when reach your goal, you'll be in the mindset to go even farther.

Reward Yourself
Hey, we're human, and as such, we like rewards. Indulge in a movie, new CD, massage, night out or even candy bar once you finish a project. If it works for kids and dogs, it can work for us adults, too!

Meditate
Regular meditation helps keep your mind sharp. It's kind of like exercise for the brain. Plus it's fun to seem all zen to your coworkers.

Music
As mentioned above, music is my key to concentration. If it works for you, great. Plug in your mp3 player or pop in a CD of the music that works for you and get to work. If music has the opposite effect on you and you find yourself dong improv karaoke instead of working, you should probably file this under 'Distractions.'

Break Down
This doesn't mean you should have a break down - it means you should break down a large project into smaller parts. It's much easier to concentrate on a few smaller goals in succession than one large panic-inducing one.

Chew on This
Remember when your grade school teachers put a trash can in front of your face and made you spit out your gum? (Ok, maybe that was just me.) Well it turns out that maybe they were wrong. Studies have shown that chewing gum actually improves memory and concentration. Just be sure to opt for sugar-free gum if you're fond of your teeth, and don't chomp it loudly unless you want to be added to someone else's 'Distractions' list.

Have a Drink
Save the adult beverages for after work, but while you're working, you should make sure to drink plenty of water. Why? Even mild dehydration can make you tired and sluggish and less able to concentrate. So get yourself a reusable water bottle, drink up and let the concentration begin.

Reclaim your focus by using these simple tips. You'll be more productive, spend less time procrastinating and have more time for yourself.