The ability to concentrate on something in your environment and direct mental effort toward it is critical for learning new things, achieving goals , and performing well across a wide variety of situations. Whether you are trying to finish a report at work or competing in a marathon, your ability to focus can mean the difference between success and failure.

Fortunately, focus is a lot like a mental muscle. The more you work on building it up, the stronger it gets. Becoming more mentally focused is achievable, but that doesn't mean that it's always quick and easy.

If it was simple, then we would all have the razor-sharp concentration of an elite athlete. It will take some real effort on your part and you may have to make some changes to some of your daily habits.

Here are some tips and tricks from psychology that can help you learn how to focus and develop laser-like mental concentration. Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to stay motivated and focused even when you don't want to. Click below to listen now.

Before you start working toward learning how to focus, you might want to begin by assessing just how strong your mental focus is at the present moment.

If the first set of statements seems more your style, then you probably already have fairly good concentration skills, but you could be even stronger with a little practice. If you identify more with the second set of statements, then you probably need to work on your mental focus quite a bit.

It might take some time, but practicing some good habits and being mindful of your distractibility can help. While it may sound obvious, people often underestimate just how many distractions prevent them from concentrating on the task at hand.

Such intrusions might come in the form of a radio blaring in the background or perhaps an obnoxious co-worker who constantly drops by your cubicle to chat. Minimizing these sources of distraction isn't always as easy as it sounds.

While it might be as simple as turning off the television or radio, you might find it much more challenging to deal with an interrupting co-worker, spouse, child, or roommate. One way to deal with this is to set aside a specific time and place and request to be left alone for that period of time.

Another alternative is to seek out a calm location where you know you will be able to work undisturbed. The library, a private room in your house, or even a quiet coffee shop might all be good spots to try. Not all distractions come from outside sources. Exhaustion, worry , anxiety, poor motivation, and other internal disturbances can be particularly difficult to avoid.

A few strategies you might want to try to minimize or eliminate such internal distractions are to make sure you are well-rested prior to the task and to use positive thoughts and imagery to fight off anxiety and worry.

If you find your mind wandering toward distracting thoughts, consciously bring your focus back to the task at hand. While multitasking may seem like a great way to get a lot done quickly, it turns out that people are actually rather bad at it.

Juggling multiple tasks at once can dramatically cut down on productivity and makes it much harder to hone in on the details that are truly important. Think of your attention as a spotlight.

If you shine that spotlight on one particular area, you can see things very clearly. If you were to try to spread that same amount of light across a large dark room, you might instead only glimpse the shadowy outlines. Part of knowing how to focus is making the most of the resources you have available.

Stop multitasking and instead give your full attention to one thing at a time. It's tough to stay mentally focused when you are ruminating about the past, worrying about the future, or tuned out of the present moment for some other reason.

You have probably heard people talk about the importance of " being present. This notion of being present is also essential for recapturing your mental focus. Staying engaged in the here and now keeps your attention sharp and your mental resources honed in on the details that really matter at a specific point in time.

It may take some time but work on learning to truly live in the moment. You cannot change the past and the future has not happened yet, but what you do today can help you avoid repeating past mistakes and pave a path for a more successful future.

Mindfulness is a hot topic right now, and for good reason. Despite the fact that people have practiced forms of mindfulness meditation for thousands of years, its many health benefits are only recently starting to be understood. In one study, researchers had human resources professionals engage in simulations of the sort of complex multitasking they engaged in each day at work.

These tasks had to be completed in 20 minutes and included answering phones, scheduling meetings, and writing memos with sources of information pouring in from multiple sources including by phone calls, emails, and text messages.

Some of the participants received 8 weeks of training in the use of mindfulness meditation , and the results found that only those who had received this training showed improvement in concentration and focus.

Members of the meditation group were able to stay on task longer, switched between tasks less frequently, and performed the work more efficiently than the other groups of participants.

Practicing mindfulness can involve learning how to meditate, but it can also be as simple as trying a quick and easy deep breathing exercise.

Start by taking several deep breaths while really focusing on each and every breath. When you feel your mind naturally begin to wander, gently and uncritically guide your focus back to your deep breathing.

While this might seem like a deceptively simple task, you may find that it is actually much more difficult than it appears. Fortunately, this breathing activity is something you can do anywhere and anytime. Eventually, you will probably find that it becomes easier to disengage from intrusive thoughts and return your focus to where it belongs.

Have you ever tried to stay mentally focused on the same thing for a long period of time? After a while, your focus starts to break down and it becomes more and more difficult to devote your mental resources to the task. Not only that, but your performance ultimately suffers as a result.

Traditional explanations in psychology have suggested that this is due to attentional resources being depleted, but some researchers believe that it has more to do with the brain's tendency to ignore sources of constant stimulation. Researchers have found that even taking very brief breaks by shifting your attention elsewhere can dramatically improve mental focus.

So the next time you are working on a prolonged task, such as preparing your taxes or studying for an exam, be sure to give yourself an occasional mental break. Shift your attention to something unrelated to the task at hand, even if it is only for a few moments. These short moments of respite might mean that you are able to keep your mental focus sharp and your performance high when you really need it.

Building your mental focus is not something that will happen overnight. Even professional athletes require plenty of time and practice in order to strengthen their concentration skills.

One of the first steps is to recognize the impact that being distracted is having on your life. If you are struggling to accomplish your goals and find yourself getting sidetracked by unimportant details, it is time to start placing a higher value on your time.

By building your mental focus, you will find that you are able to accomplish more and concentrate on the things in life that truly bring you success, joy, and satisfaction. Mental focus refers to your ability to concentrate on relevant information in your environment.

This ability allows you to attend to things that require attention, complete tasks that you need to accomplish, and acquire new information. In order to focus, the brain needs to filter out irrelevant information to concentrate on what really matters.

Different types of attention can affect your ability to focus. Selective attention , for example, acts like a spotlight to highlight specific stimuli in your environment. Sustained attention, on the other hand, allows you to stay mentally focused on something for an extended period of time.

These are just a few examples of reasons you may not be able to concentrate. And they largely fall under five primary categories or factors. We are bombarded by a constant flow of information, whether new or old, during the process of doing something.

Researchers have found that our brains are so primed for this distraction that just seeing our smartphone impairs our ability to concentrate. We constantly assess whether the information is useful, sufficient, or meaningless. The sheer quantity coming in muddles our assessment of whether we actually need more information to make decisions.

Scientists have found that lack of sleep can lead to lower alertness , slower thought processes, and reduced concentration.

You will have more difficulty focusing your attention and may become confused. As a result, your ability to perform tasks especially relating to reasoning or logic can be seriously affected. Chronically poor sleep further affects your concentration and memory. Allison T. Siebern from the Stanford University Sleep Medicine Centre notes that if you cannot concentrate on what is at hand, it is unlikely to make it to either your short- or long-term memory.

Have you ever noticed how vigorous exercise leaves you feeling more relaxed and energetic throughout the day? You may feel tightness in your neck, shoulder, and chest and such persistent, low-level discomfort can affect your concentration.

What we eat contributes to how we feel , including our mental sharpness and clarity, throughout the day. Low-fat diets can ruin focus because the brain needs certain essential fatty acids. Other restrictive diets may negatively affect concentration by not providing the nutrients the brain needs or by creating hunger, cravings, or feeling of unwellness in the body that are themselves distracting.

Depending on what you are doing, the environment can affect your focus. Obviously, a noise level that is too loud is a problem, but many people also have difficulty concentrating when it is too quiet. A favorite song quickly has you singing along, happily distracted, while less distinct instrumentals might keep you attuned to the task.

Lighting that is too bright or too dim can affect your vision. A room that is too hot or too cold creates discomfort. Depending on the cause, you may have to temporarily accept that your concentration is low and learn a few tricks to reduce the impact or accept the dips as they come.

If you need help with concentration and think your difficulties go beyond the list above, consult with a professional. Now you know why you need help with concentration. What can help you to focus better? Eliminate distractions. How do we focus better if we are always bombarded with information?

Make a practice blocking time in your schedule to do a specific task or activity. During this time, request that you be left alone or go to a place where others are unlikely to disturb you: a library, a coffee shop, a private room.

Close social media and other apps, silence notifications, and k eep your phone hidden from sight in a bag or backpack. As described in HBR, researchers found that cognitive capacity was significantly better when the phone was out of sight , not just turned off.

Keep Your primary focus is to complete what you need to do. Shutting off both internal and external disturbances can help you to concentrate. Reduce multitasking. Attempting to perform multiple activities at the same time makes us feel productive. And lower productivity can lead to burnout.

Examples of multitasking include listening to a podcast while responding to an email or talking to someone over the phone while writing your report.

Such multitasking not only hampers your ability to focus but compromises your work quality. Practice mindfulness and meditation.

Meditating or practicing mindfulness activities can strengthen well-being and mental fitness and improve focus. During the meditation process, our brain becomes calmer and our whole body becomes more relaxed.

We focus on our breath during the process so that we will not be distracted by our minds. With practice, we can learn to use our breath to bring our attention back to a particular task so that it can be done well even if we get interrupted.

Get more sleep. Many factors affect your sleep. One of the most common is reading from an electronic device like a computer, phone, or tablet or watching your favorite movie or TV show on an LED TV just before bedtime.

Research has shown that such devices emit light towards the blue end of the spectrum. Such light will stimulate your eye retina and prevent the secretion of melatonin that promotes sleep anticipation in the brain. Use a filter or "blue light" glasses to minimize such blue light or avoid all electronic devices before bed.

Other ways to improve sleep include avoiding exercise late in the day, staying hydrated throughout the day, using journaling or breathing exercises to quiet the mind, and creating a predictable bedtime routine and schedule.

Choose to focus on the moment. It might feel counterintuitive when you feel unable to concentrate, but remember that you choose where you focus. It's tough to concentrate when your mind is always in the past and worrying about the future.

Acknowledge the impact, what you felt, and what you learned from it, then let it go. Similarly, acknowledge your concerns about the future, consider how you are experiencing that anxiety in your body, then choose to let it go. We want to train our mental resources to focus on the details of what matters at the moment.

Our minds go in the direction we choose to focus. Take a short break. This also might seem counterintuitive, but when you focus on something for a long time, your focus may begin to die down. You may feel more and more difficulty devoting your attention to the task. Researchers have found that our brains tend to ignore sources of constant stimulation.

Taking very small breaks by refocusing your attention elsewhere can dramatically improve mental concentration after that. The next time you are working on a project, take a break when you begin to feel stuck. Move around, talk to someone, or even switch to a different type of task.

You will come back with a more focused mind to keep your performance high. Connect with nature. Research has found that even having plants in office spaces can help increase concentration and productivity, as well as workplace satisfaction and better air quality. Finding time to take a walk in the park or appreciating the plants or flowers in your garden can boost your concentration and help you feel refreshed.

Train your brain. Scientific research is starting to amass evidence on the ability of brain training activities to enhance cognitive abilities, including concentration, in adults.

Such brain training games for concentration can also help you develop your working and short-term memory, as well as your processing and problem-solving skills. Examples of such games include jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, chess, and brain-stimulating video games.

Start your day with simple exercise and get your body moving. According to the May issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch, regular exercise releases chemicals key for memory, concentration, and mental sharpness.

Other research found that exercise can boost the brain's dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels and all these will affect focus and attention. Individuals who do some form of exercise or sports perform better on cognitive tasks when compared with those who have poor physical health.

Physical movement helps relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind. Listen to music. Music has been shown to have therapeutic effects on our brains. Light music may help you to concentrate better, but some music may distract you.

Experts generally agree that classical music and nature sounds, such as water flowing, are good choices for concentration while music with lyrics and human voices may be distracting. Multiple apps and services offer background music and soundscapes designed for different types of focus and work needs.

Eat well. Choose foods that moderate blood sugar, maintain energy, and fuel the brain. Fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods can keep your blood sugar levels even. Reduce sugary foods and drinks that cause spikes and dips in your sugar levels make you feel dizzy or drowsy.

Your brain needs lots of good fat to function properly. Nuts, berries, avocados, and coconut oil are all great ways to get healthy fats into your diet and help your brain run more smoothly. Research has found that foods like blueberries can boost concentration and memory for up to 5 hours after consumption due to an enzyme that stimulates the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain, helping with memory as well as our ability to focus and learn new information.

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach contain potassium which accelerates the connections between neurons and can make our brain more responsive. Set a daily priority. Write down what you want to accomplish each day , ideally the night before, and identify a single priority that you commit to accomplishing.

This will help focus your brain on what matters, tackling the big jobs first and leaving the small stuff till later. Break large tasks into smaller bytes so that you will not be overwhelmed. Identifying true priorities can help relieve distracting anxiety, and achieving small daily goals can wire your brain to achieve success.

Create space for work. Create a calm dedicated space for work , if possible. Not everyone can have a well-appointed office, but desk organizers, noise-canceling headphones, an adjustable monitor, and adjustable lighting can help.

Clear clutter out of sight, make it as ergonomic and comfortable as possible, and try to keep your space neat and ventilated. Use a timer. Train your brain to hyper-focus on a task by using a timer or phone alarm.

First, decide what task you want to complete. Set your timer for 20 minutes generally not more than 30 minutes and concentrate on the task.

Levy D, Wobbrock J, Kaszniak A, Ostergren M. The effects of mindfulness meditation training on multitasking in a high-stress information environment. Proceedings - Graphics Interface. Brief and rare mental breaks keep you focused: Deactivation and reactivation of task goals preempt vigilance decrements.

doi: By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book.

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End-of-Summer Blues Synchronizing Your Body Back to School Stress Mental Focus Morning Routine Reviving Habits. By Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book.

Kendra Cherry, MSEd. Learn about our editorial process. Learn more. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates.

Medically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS. Learn about our Medical Review Board. Trending Videos. Press Play for Advice On Staying Motivated Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to stay motivated and focused even when you don't want to.

Evaluate How Mentally Focused You Are. Your Focus Is Good If You find it easy to stay alert You set goals and break tasks up into smaller parts You take short breaks, then get back to work.

Your Focus Needs Work If You daydream regularly You can't tune out distractions You lose track of your progress. The Brain Processes Behind Attention and Distraction. Eliminate Distractions. Limit Your Focus.

Attentional resources are limited so it is important to budget them wisely. Single-Tasking for Productivity and Stress Management. Live in the Moment. How to Forget a Bad Memory. Practice Mindfulness. Quick Tip to Regain Focus Start by taking several deep breaths while really focusing on each and every breath.

Take a Short Break. Keep Practicing. Frequently Asked Questions What does mental focus mean? Research from found evidence to suggest including plants in office spaces helped increase concentration and productivity, as well as workplace satisfaction and air quality.

Try adding a plant or two to your workspace or home for a range of positive benefits. Children benefit from natural environments, too. Research published in followed over 1, children from birth to age 7. The study hoped to determine how lifelong exposure to trees and greenery at home or in the neighborhood might affect attention in children.

The study suggests that natural environments could benefit brain development and may improve attention in children. For children with ADHD, research suggests spending time in nature can:. What are some more natural remedies for ADHD? Meditation and mindfulness practices can offer multiple benefits.

Improved concentration is only one of these. A review of 23 studies found evidence to suggest mindfulness training that emphasizes attention focus could help increase attention and focus. Mindfulness can also improve memory and other cognitive abilities. Yoga , deep breathing, and many other activities can help you meditate.

What are some other benefits of meditation? How can taking a break from work or homework increase your concentration? This idea might seem counterintuitive, but experts say it really works. But your struggle to focus just makes you feel stressed and anxious about not completing your work in time.

Next time this happens, when you first feel your concentration drop, take a short mental break. Refresh yourself with a cool drink or nutritious snack, take a quick walk, or go outside and get some sun.

Breaks can help boost these functions and more. What are some signs of burnout? Turning on music while working or studying may help increase concentration, but this will depend on the individual.

What are some more benefits of music? The foods you eat can affect cognitive functions like concentration and memory. To boost concentration, avoid processed foods, too much sugar, and very greasy or fatty foods.

You can find more brain foods on this list. Staying hydrated can also have a positive impact on concentration. Even mild dehydration can make it harder to focus or remember information.

Eating breakfast can help by boosting your focus first thing in the morning. Oatmeal, plain yogurt with fruit, or whole-grain toast with eggs are all good breakfast choices.

Which foods can help if you have depression? If you feel your concentration starting to drop, consider a cup of coffee or green tea.

A study found evidence to suggest phytochemicals naturally found in matcha, a type of green tea, not only improve cognitive function but can help promote relaxation. So matcha may be a good option if coffee makes you feel jittery or on edge. How does caffeine affect your body?

Some supplements may help promote concentration and improve brain function. However, there is not enough research to confirm that these supplements are effective or safe for everyone.

Also, the Food and Drug Administration FDA does not regulate supplements. This means you cannot be sure of the precise ingredients or how supplements will interact with other drugs. Always check with a doctor before trying any supplements, especially if you have any health conditions or allergies.

Which supplements can help you focus better? Concentration workouts often help children who have trouble focusing. This mental workout involves fully devoting attention to an activity for a set period of time.

After completing one of the activities, ask your child to write a short summary or sketch how they felt during the experience. Young children can simply use words to describe their feelings. Talking about where they lost concentration and how they managed to refocus can help them develop these skills for use in daily tasks.

Multitasking has become part of daily life. It seems a good way to get a lot done, but some scientists have questioned this. Studies have suggested that we are not as good at multitasking as we like to think we are. For one thing, the brain is not designed to cope with doing two or more things at once.

What we are actually doing is switching from one task to another. If you have the chance to tackle one thing at a time, you might find you can concentrate better on each of them. Blocking off time for specific tasks can help you focus on one thing at a time and lower the risk of environmental distractions.

Setting time limits can also help you channel your energy toward the task in hand because you know the time you can or need to spend on it is limited. Researchers looking for ways to help people overcome these challenges have suggested the following tips :. The Marinara Timer, for example, encourages a person to work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.

After four blocks of 25 minutes, the person will take a minute break. This way, you can focus fully on a task for the allotted time and do something else in the breaks. These allow you to set a goal to not use your phone.

If you use the phone too soon, the tree will die. Other apps allow you to set goals for specific sites each day, such as the news or social media. Trouble concentrating can relate to things going on around you.

Among other symptoms, brain fog may include the following, she says:. This type of cognitive sluggishness can exist for a range of reasons, including stress, poor sleep, nutrition, and more. Sometimes brain fog may be a signal that your health and wellness regimen needs further attention and professional guidance.

Additionally, there are a handful of lifestyle tweaks — from observations by experts — that may help alleviate brain fog and inspire mental clarity. If you zip from task to task throughout the day, you may not be giving your brain the break it needs to function well. For example, the aftermath of having COVID may leave you with lingering brain fog , even when you feel physically better, due to possible inflammation associated with the virus, notes Harvard Health Publishing.

Prioritizing your absolute-must tasks while scheduling downtime can help support mental stability while working with the fog, she says. For example, use the alarms on your phone, schedule reminders through a voice assistant, set up auto pay for your bills, and organize your meetings into a calendar.

This may help take away some of the stress associated with brain fog. For that reason, she recommends a low-inflammatory diet, which roughly means limiting or avoiding highly processed foods and red and processed meats, and sticking to a plant-based or Mediterranean-style of eating that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.

Brain fog may be one symptom of certain autoimmune conditions, Wilhour adds. For example, according to the Arthritis Foundation , people with rheumatoid arthritis often report feeling forgetful and unable to concentrate, and separately, anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of people with fibromyalgia and lupus may experience brain fog, per Duke Health.

One study on people with rheumatoid arthritis, and other research on people with multiple sclerosis, showed that an anti-inflammatory diet may help alleviate some of the symptoms of the diseases, including improved cognitive function. In addition, research shows evidence that a low-inflammation diet may be protective for brain health as we age, Wilhour adds.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, for adults, to keep not only the heart in good shape but the brain, too.

Research also shows that physical activity induces changes in the brain, such as an increase in gray matter and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a molecule that plays a role in creating neural connections related to learning and memory, per MedlinePlus.

Memory, executive control, and attention may all get a boost when you work up a sweat. Plus, exercise is a great antidote to stress for many people, and as additional research shows , it builds up your cognitive reserves to help your brain become more resilient as you age.

Losing interest in subjects or tasks that used to bring fulfillment is another symptom of low mental clarity. When our minds are strong, enthusiasm for learning comes naturally.

Your lack of motivation could mean your mind is seeking renewal. Just as a strong ability to recall memories is a sign of high mental performance, poor memory recall is a clear sign of low mental performance. When our minds are healthy and clear , things like memory retention should not be an issue.

Checking the quality of your memory recollection is a good way to monitor mental clarity. Before we can learn how to improve mental clarity, we need to look at the potential causes or triggers that may be at play.

These three things deplete our mental resources and make mental performance much harder to upkeep. If any of them sound familiar, you may have found your culprit. Having a healthy circadian rhythm is a fundamental part of human health.

Without seven or more hours of sleep each night, the mind and body struggle to exhibit high-performance behavior. Some of us struggle to sleep due to stress , while others practice poor sleep hygiene. Some people who work non-traditional hours could develop shift work sleep disorder.

If you are not allowing your body the type of rest it requires, you may be putting your mental state at risk. We all know that stress is bad for the body although sometimes stress can be good. But stress can also be an enemy to the mind.

Chronic stress contributes to hig h cortisol level s , which means weakened circulation. Poor circulation results in the heart sending less oxygen to your brain.

This can cause a lack of mental clarity, which in turn may amplify your stress and anxiety levels. It can be a vicious cycle if left untreated.

There are many foods that support mental clarity and concentration. Poor nutrition often stems from not eating a diverse enough diet or consuming a high quantity of processed foods. Vitamin B, in particular, has many health benefits for the brain and immune system. This vitamin is found in fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.

Omega-3 fatty acids and other healthy fats also have a positive impact on the brain, especially regarding mild memory loss and depression. When you lack mental clarity, even performing the simplest of tasks can feel like a challenge.

There are several different ways that low mental performance can be expressed, both through the body and the mind. Work performance is usually one of the first things to take a hit when your head is unclear. Because work requires mental sharpness, a lack of clarity is going to make work harder than it needs to be.

Your emotional well-being also affects mental clarity. Many people struggling with low mental clarity may develop a sense of loneliness or isolation. This happens as an intuitive method of self-preservation. The fewer people around you, the less energy you expend on maintaining relationships.

The combination of having minimal mental energy, low job performance, and isolation from friends and family can quickly result in poor mental health. That means self-doubt, low self-esteem, and even imposter syndrome are likely to develop as a result. This can further lead to depression if not addressed.

Poor sleeping habits and mental stress have a very close-knit relationship. If you are stressed, you are likely going to have trouble sleeping properly.

And if you are having trouble sleeping properly, you are likely to become stressed. Your mental clarity can drastically affect your sleep schedule. Despite all the challenges of low mental clarity, there are many ways to promote mindful engagement.

You can improve it for yourself. These eight tips for how to improve mental clarity are all easy to incorporate into your daily life. They can help you lay down the foundation of a sharp, active, and clear mind. And, if you are leading or working with someone who seems to be lacking mental clarity, encourage them to practice self-care and point them toward resources that can support these tips.

How much sleep you get is directly proportional to how much energy you will have throughout the day. This applies to both mental and physical energy.

If you cultivate a consistent and healthy sleep schedule, you can avoid developing a backlog of fatigue and make sure your mental performance stays on top all day long. Using a sleep tracker is one way to manage your sleep schedule to ensure you get enough quality sleep. Knowing how to effectively reduce stress levels will make a tremendous difference to your state of mental clarity.

Managing stress includes figuring out personal methods of tension release and relaxation. There are also stress tracker devices that allow you to track your stress levels throughout the day. Being aware of your stress levels will enable you to stay mentally sharp and help you reach your full potential.

Mindfulness is the fine art of living presently. By slowing down and being conscious of your body, environment, and actions, you can manage your energy more effectively. Having a good work-life balance means having time for both work and play.

If you spend too much time at the office, you could deplete your energy levels and trigger an onset of burnout. Similarly, if you only focus on relaxing and having fun, very few tasks would get done. Finding a healthy balance between work and life is the key to knowing how to improve mental clarity.

Self-care practices are an extremely important aspect of life. Finding the tools, activities, spaces, and people that make you feel safe and supported will allow you to control stress levels and stay productive. Taking some time out of your week to do something purely because it brings you pleasure is really good for your mental health.

Plus, it will keep your mindset flexible and strong. Regularly moving your body is a fundamentally important aspect of good health — both mentally and physically. You can keep your mind active by sweating out toxins and stimulating the circulatory system.

Even simple movements like walking, swimming, or virtual yoga can support you in achieving mental clarity. Nutrition and mental health are closely linked, which is why a healthy diet is so important for overall health.

There are plenty of foods for mental clarity out there that can give you all the nutrients you need for cultivating mental strength. Some of the best brain foods include fatty fish, berries, dark leafy greens, and pumpkin seeds.

Drinking plenty of water will also help your brain function at its peak. But asking for help is one of the most empowering things anyone can do for themselves. The stress of experiencing mental fogginess is not uncommon. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or a healthcare professional.

They will help you to feel recognized and understood. If someone on your team or in your family seems to be struggling with mental clarity, there are ways to help create a more conducive environment. Mental clarity is a vital element of productivity and fulfillment both in and outside the office.

We need a clear mind to problem solve and stay on top of whatever challenges are thrown our way. So, what is mental clarity going to result in when it comes to your personal and professional goals?

A clouded mind means clouded judgment. Your judgment needs to be sound if you are to make smart choices in life. It is natural to feel overwhelmed when you are running low on energy and concentration. You can overcome stress and anxiety more easily when your mindset is at its peak.

Poor mental health is something we all battle with from time to time. But with a strong mind, managing stress levels becomes a whole lot easier. An organized mind is able to approach tasks with more efficiency and can execute them in order of priority.

When your mind is functioning like a well-oiled machine, it can enable you to extract more purpose and enjoyment out of life. This includes quality time with loved ones and the pursuit of personal growth. Mental clarity sits at the epicenter of wellness , performance, and productivity.

Sometimes brain fog may be a signal that your health and wellness regimen needs further attention and professional guidance. Additionally, there are a handful of lifestyle tweaks — from observations by experts — that may help alleviate brain fog and inspire mental clarity.

If you zip from task to task throughout the day, you may not be giving your brain the break it needs to function well.

For example, the aftermath of having COVID may leave you with lingering brain fog , even when you feel physically better, due to possible inflammation associated with the virus, notes Harvard Health Publishing.

Prioritizing your absolute-must tasks while scheduling downtime can help support mental stability while working with the fog, she says.

For example, use the alarms on your phone, schedule reminders through a voice assistant, set up auto pay for your bills, and organize your meetings into a calendar. This may help take away some of the stress associated with brain fog.

For that reason, she recommends a low-inflammatory diet, which roughly means limiting or avoiding highly processed foods and red and processed meats, and sticking to a plant-based or Mediterranean-style of eating that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.

Brain fog may be one symptom of certain autoimmune conditions, Wilhour adds. For example, according to the Arthritis Foundation , people with rheumatoid arthritis often report feeling forgetful and unable to concentrate, and separately, anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of people with fibromyalgia and lupus may experience brain fog, per Duke Health.

One study on people with rheumatoid arthritis, and other research on people with multiple sclerosis, showed that an anti-inflammatory diet may help alleviate some of the symptoms of the diseases, including improved cognitive function. In addition, research shows evidence that a low-inflammation diet may be protective for brain health as we age, Wilhour adds.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, for adults, to keep not only the heart in good shape but the brain, too. Research also shows that physical activity induces changes in the brain, such as an increase in gray matter and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a molecule that plays a role in creating neural connections related to learning and memory, per MedlinePlus.

Memory, executive control, and attention may all get a boost when you work up a sweat. Plus, exercise is a great antidote to stress for many people, and as additional research shows , it builds up your cognitive reserves to help your brain become more resilient as you age. Activities that stimulate and support your cognitive health include reading books, tackling crossword puzzles, playing games or instruments, and keeping updated on current events, among others.

Like physical exercise, consistency is key. To maintain a regular practice, lean in to activities you find enjoyable. Turning on some tunes can be another brain-tickling strategy. Listening to music has been shown to stimulate the brain and help with stress reduction and mood disorders, per research.

Sleep helps keep you sharp. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night. Sleep deprivation can lead to a range of brain fog-like symptoms such as issues with short-term memory, attention, processing speed, and alertness, research shows.

Addressing sleep problems by improving your sleep hygiene like ditching devices before bed or creating a wind-down routine may help you beat fatigue so you can think more clearly the next day.

Sleep apnea , when you experience pauses in breathing during sleep, is another concern and can create disruptions that affect sleep quality, per the CDC. A hallmark sign of sleep apnea is appearing to get enough sleep but still feeling excessively sleepy during the day.

According to Wilhour, health concerns that can contribute to brain fog include chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia , depression, diabetes, mild cognitive impairment and dementia , and autoimmune conditions, among others.