Concentration is giving your undivided attention to a certain thing. It is simply paying attention and it helps improve the memory because you allow your brain to process the information more carefully so it is able to retain it and recall in the future.
It is possible that forgetfulness is due to not carefully paying attention only. Stefan Zweig, a famous Austrian once said that "Concentration is the eternal secret of every mortal achievement."1
Consider the following techniques to consciously improve your concentration abilities:
Let's start with the simplest method:
Forget about other things.
This may sound a little ironic but when you want to concentrate on something for example, reviewing a lesson for a test, learning new words of a foreign language, or just simply wanting to remember the name of a person you've just met. Make your blank mind and set it to just think of the object you want to remember. This is a conscious effort. Forget all other distractions even worries you may have even for just 8 to 10 seconds. If many other distractions are present, find a quiet place to focus on the information you want to remember.
Clear your mind with deep breathing exercises.
Relaxing helps you reduce stress. When you have a relaxed body and mind, it will be easier for you to absorb information and understand it. When you are able to comprehend and associate the information in your mind then recall will come naturally.
Don't Multitask.
Time is gold and yes, many turn to multitasking to be able to finish or learn a lot of things at the same time. But if you are having a hard time focusing on all things at the same time then you need to slow down and just devote your attention to one thing at a time. You'll also be amazed at how much more you can accomplish in incorporating this change.
This next one is quite contradictory but is also a complement to the method just mentioned and it has proven to be helpful for many.
Listen to classical music.
Not all kinds of music are suggested for this method to be helpful. Classical music and other instrumental music are mostly beneficial based on scientific studies. The studies show that music will keep the right hemisphere of the brain distracted and enjoying itself while the left hemisphere is busy with the function of concentration. 2Classical music and other instrumental music also let the left side of the brain to pay attention to only the sound and not be stressed with understanding the lyrics of the song.
Have an aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy has been used for the relief of many physical, mental and emotional conditions. Essential oils have been proven to have healing and enhancing properties especially in terms of detoxification and relaxation. Rosemary and sage are considered the primary herbs for stimulating the brain for improved concentration and memory. They have powerful antioxidants which bring more oxygen to the body and brain preventing plaque formation in the neurons thus also preventing diseases such as dementia.
Take Fish Oil supplements.
While studies are still underway, many parents of children with ADHD have seen positive changes in the concentration levels of their children because it is believed that those who have ADHD lack some essential fatty acids in their bodies. Fish oils contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which contribute to a lot of functions in the nervous and circulatory system. Taking fish oil supplements let you have the daily recommended dosage for this nutrient when you are not able to regularly have an adequate amount of fish in your meals.3
To reiterate, concentration is a conscious effort. Train and motivate yourself to concentrate and improvement will follow. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, so when you repeatedly train your mind to concentrate then it will get used to doing it and soon it will do it effortlessly.4
NEXT: Remember Names and Numbers
SOURCE:
- http://www.studygs.net/concent.htm
- http://myhealingkitchen.com/medical-conditions/memory/fragrant-rosemary-and-sage-boost-memory/
- http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative/fish-oil.htm
- http://www.k-state.edu/counseling/topics/career/concentr.html
|
