When you find that you are having trouble concentrating on your work, or your mind tends to wander during a meeting, you may think that you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. This very well could be the case, concentrate that the diagnosis for ADHD has become more accurate as doctors and experts learn more about the infliction. However, just because you tend to daydream while your friends tell you a boring story doesn’t mean you have ADHD; you may just be overworked and having trouble focusing your mind due to stress or exhaustion. Here are five reasons why you are having trouble concentrating that aren’t necessarily indicators of a more serious problem.
You Don’t Get A Good Night’s Sleep
When you rarely get your recommended amount of sleep at night (on average seven to eight hours a night), your mind operates at less than optimal capacity. This could result in a lack of focus, a foggy mind, and even irritability. If this is the case, you may want to consult your doctor regarding your sleeping habits. It could be a result of ADHD, but it could also be a sign of a separate sleep disorder.
We live in an age of technology. We spend an exorbitant amount of time flip-flopping between working on our computer (or watching videos, chatting on Facebook, etc.), sending text messages on our cell phones, and listening to our MP3 players. The more you multitask, as great as it is, the more your mind will have trouble focusing on a single task for an extended period of time. The best solution is to do your best to limit your technology time so that your brain can still focus at its most effective levels.
You Hate Your Job
When you have little to no passion for your work, you will tend to lack the necessary focus to complete your duties in a timely and accurate manner. This could be a sign of ADHD or other disorders; however, it is more likely that you simply don’t care about your work as much as you think. Although consulting your doctor may solve the problem, hitting the classified ads in your local paper may be the more logical solution.
You Are Overstressed
Stress will directly affect the way you focus. This is because stress will distract your cognitive thought, making it difficult to focus and concentrate, whether that concentration is for work or in your social life. It also affects the way you filter out distractions, so to help your mind focus and stay focused, stress needs to be overcome, albeit this is more difficult than it seems. Meditation and other relaxation techniques could do the trick, as can changing your diet and home surroundings.
You Don’t Get Enough Exercise
Learning capacity and memory have recently been linked with exercise. The more you exercise the more effective your brain can work. So, instead of crashing out on the couch this evening with a bag of popcorn and your TV hit the gym or go for a long walk. Your brain will thank you for it.