Turn off the TV! 5 Ideas for Honing Mental Focus

If there is too much of anything in this world, it’s the abundance of distractions. The ubiquitous nature of technology provides people with the option to plug in at any moment. And while this certainly has its benefits, there are some clear drawbacks (like a seriously exacerbated case of procrastination). Only to worsen the situation, poor lifestyles can negatively impact our ability to focus in the first place.

Is all lost? Not quite.

Here are five idea to hone your mental focus. They’ll help keep you on track with your projects and free up some mental space for more important information. Plus, they’ll boost your mental health as a whole!

Number 1. Turn off the TV

The first thing I did when I decided I needed to spend more time focusing is turn off the TV. Well, to be honest, I stopped paying for cable and got rid of any game systems I had – without those there isn’t much use to having a TV at all.

Although you do miss out on some information, time without the TV on is time to think for yourself. They call it programming for a reason, after all! With less TV comes more time to talk to friends, read, write, play music, exercise, fall in love, cook, or whatever else you’d like to do.

Number 2. Unplug the Phone

I realize how dated this suggestion sounds (who has a wired phone anymore?), but I think it carries the right idea. For 2-3 hours out of the day, try leaving your phone in the other room. Don’t worry about calls or texts, and instead focus on what you’re doing. This is probably the hardest thing to do, but time without a phone is like time without a lease.

Number 3. Get Plenty of Rest and Schedule

To operate your brain with peak performance, it’s got to be well rested and ready to go. This, in tandem with proper scheduling, is a ticket to maintaining focus and completing your projects on time. It is also vital in securing your body’s overall health. Don’t skimp on sleep!

Number 4. Exercise the Brain

Make it a point to practice focusing; that is, make it a point to exercise the brain! Either by Sudoku, reading, or some other form of mental hula hooping,  be sure you’re working out with your most important muscle on the daily. I’m a big fun of puzzles and reading, but I think really anything will work as long as you’re feeling a mental challenge.

Number 5. Eat Healthy

Perhaps above all, be sure you’re maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. There are some “superfoods” that claim nutritional dominance, but as long as you’re getting plenty of calories and minimizing (or better yet, eliminating) a fast food diet, your body and mind will be reaping the benefits.

Be healthy, stay focused!