You see the schedule of final exams and you are studying at full capacity. It is the final push. Your concentration is maximum at this moment, you are really focused. You have a lot of work to do tonight (or tomorrow morning), and you are ready to do it. You know that your ability to pull it off is being tested. How to improve concentration?
Maybe it’s your first time taking this type of exam, or maybe you’re a veteran, but in any case, you know that the key to success is staying focused.
As we all know, concentration is a mental capacity that goes up and down. Sometimes people can reach a peak level of concentration, where nothing can interrupt their study efforts.
But at other times it is almost impossible to concentrate. And when students force themselves to continue studying when they are already tired and exhausted from the hours of work, they are actually doing more harm than good!
We have great news: no need to study for hours! The human brain has a natural and periodic rhythm of concentration that prevents our mind from permanently focusing on one subject. Through these 5 exercises we will help you improve concentration.
EXERCISES THAT HELP IMPROVE CONCENTRATION IN STUDIES
Are you one of those people who can’t study for more than 50 minutes? If so, you’re not the only one.
In fact, research has shown that the period in which the concentration is maintained in an optimal state for the study can last up to 40 minutes. Beyond that time, our ability to concentrate is considerably reduced and we begin to easily fall into distractions.
And the saddest thing is that many of us don’t even realize it. We think we are studying effectively when in reality we are just wasting valuable time.
For this reason, you should focus on eliminating distractions before studying (such as a boyfriend who keeps calling you or a TV show that holds your attention). If you can’t eliminate them completely, at least tone down their importance so you can focus on what’s most important: studying.
A SINGLE TASK
We are sure that it has happened to you at some time: you try to study, but you are constantly interrupted. It may be your phone buzzing with a message, or your friends coming in to talk to you. It can be really frustrating.
Luckily, there’s an easy way around this problem: focus on one thing at a time. When we focus on one thing, we find it much easier to give our full attention to that activity and not get distracted by other things.
For example, when you are studying, focus only on what you are reading and writing; don’t be tempted to look at your phone or chat with a friend.
RELAXATION EXERCISES TO IMPROVE CONCENTRATION
If you have ever felt anxious or nervous when studying, this is for you. Many people find it helpful to practice breathing exercises before beginning their work.
This helps them calm their nerves and focus on the task at hand. How are breathing exercises practiced?
Begin by sitting in a comfortable position and taking a few slow, deep breaths. As you inhale and exhale, focus on your nostrils and lungs expanding and contracting respectively as you inhale and exhale.
Try to make these movements as smooth as possible; focus on your breathing in this way for about a minute for best results.
Doing these exercises will help you calm your mind so you can improve concentration and study without distractions.
DO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REGULARLY
Physical activity is always good. Even better when it is part of our daily routine. This is because breathing is one of the most important things we do every day, and it oxygenates our brain.
This helps us think more clearly, and even solve problems faster. The only problem is that physical activity requires concentration.
If we are thinking about what we have done during the day or if we are worried about a test at school, then it is difficult to concentrate on sports or any kind of physical activity. So, to improve concentration, physical activity must be part of our routine.
PRACTICE CHESS
There are few activities as fascinating as chess. It is a challenging game that tests our concentration, our memory and our capacity for strategic planning, while allowing us to hone our competitive visualization skills. It improves our ability to focus on what matters in the midst of distractions. And it helps us learn from our mistakes and those of others.
Chess helps us to be more courageous when facing new challenges that we would otherwise be too nervous to face alone. By practicing chess, we are preparing ourselves for all kinds of challenges later in life.
Also, it is very interesting to play chess with other people. You can play with your family or with your friends, and it’s a lot of fun if you play online with strangers.
DRAWING AND COLORING IS NOT JUST FOR KIDS
If you are studying for an exam and suddenly feel some stress, what you need is to relax. And there is nothing better to relax than to do something creative. That’s why drawing and coloring is perfect for this moment.
It is a trend that has gone viral in recent years, and that has appeared in the application store. This trend was started by an artist named Johanna Basford. He released his first coloring book called Secret Garden, and it sold over a million copies in less than 5 years!
There are even coloring books for adults with specific themes, such as animals, flowers, mandalas, and others.
Do it so that you can focus on your breathing, so that you can remove all tension and anxiety from your body, and let yourself relax.
Drawing or coloring is not only a fun activity to do during your free time, but it also helps to improve your concentration and memory.
