What is the best recipe for improved focus and attention?

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   Seek-n-Findposted 11 years ago

   What is the best recipe for improved focus and attention?
   
   Certain foods?  Supplements?  Exercise?  Work environment?  Brain games?  What are the BEST drug-free ways to improve focus and attention?
   
   

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   jeugenejohnposted 11 years ago

   Mindful awareness. Focusing on the present moment.

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      Seek-n-Findposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How does one focus on the present moment if one is having a hard time focusing? :-)

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   artist101posted 11 years ago

   All of the ways that you mentioned will help. A vitamin b complex deficency may be to blame, specifically b-12. B6 has been found to help help with autism, as well as magnesium. Omega 3 fatty acids are also helpful. The brain is mainly consisted of fats, so a lack of omegas would be a contributing factor. Either increase the good fats in the diet, or supplement with a good fat. Among the good fats are olive oil, coconut oil, walnut oil, nuts and seeds. As well as fish oil, and flax seed oil, both available in supplement form.
   Excersise would increase blood flow, thereby increasing attention.
   Making sure that you are well hydrated, dehydration causes fatigue, and slow mental function, as well.
   
   http://artist101.hubpages.com/hub/How-t … -naturally

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      Seek-n-Findposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks!  I almost bought B-12 the other day--but it was expensive and I put it back.  Darn!  Do you know of any fish oil supplements that don't cause you to taste fish all day?  I have a very hard time taking those for that reason.

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      Insane Mundaneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Just get the fish oil capsules that are "Enteric Coated," as they will absorb in the small intestine instead of the stomach.

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      artist101posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Krill oil is the easy to swallow, and no fishy burps. Will also help with pain, and stiffness as well as many other things. A simple b complex will help, containing b-12. Will also help with fatigue, and low energy.

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   theserioushubposted 11 years ago

   I would suggest meditation. It is the most natural way to improve your focus and concentration. Once you make meditation as a habit, you will see the results instantly.

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      Seek-n-Findposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How can you meditate if you can't focus?  :-)

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   Insane Mundaneposted 11 years ago

   There are loads of answers for this question...  I'll keep it short: As for supplements, ginseng and fish oil (among several others) are known to boost cognitive function.  Foods?  Well, a lot of people used to call spaghetti and/or pasta-based foods "brain food," but I think it was mainly due to the high levels of vitamin B12.  Of course brain games or simply being constantly active in thought, can help.  Physical exercise can also help - until you reach the point of overexertion, which is when things sort of go the other way.
   The negative aspects of mental stress and bad work environments are overrated when it comes to acting as an impediment towards improved focus and attention, as such things always stimulated my cranial functions via the brain; blah!
   Anyway, if I was writing an article about this subject, I'd concentrate more on the supplements that can help, as any clown should know that a healthy diet, proper sleep (although not always required) and an active lifestyle that works in conjunction with a functioning brain, can produce focus and attention anyday, as long as the person is interested in whatever the hell they are trying to concentrate on.  At any rate, blood flow and energy is required, so go figure...

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      Seek-n-Findposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You never cease to make me laugh.  :-)  Thanks for your answer.  Maybe the problem is I need to focus on very detail-oriented work stuff for long period of time when all i want to do is work on my own, personal projects, instead.

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   sparksterposted 11 years ago

   NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) - Teaches you many many methods which can significantly improve your focus and attention.  NLP is also useful for overcoming phobias, giving up smoking, etc.  Some of the topics included in NLP include sensory acuity, rapport, representational systems, hypnosis, unconscious communication and more.

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      Insane Mundaneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wait a minute...  They used to say that Hypnosis does all those things without all the fancy abbreviation thingies.  Is this before or after the alien abductions start happening?  NLP sounds truly otherworldly; ha!

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      sparksterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It was developed in the 70's by John Grinder and Richard Bandler.

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      Insane Mundaneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Edgar Cayce helped jump-start hypnosis, as well; back in the day, of course...  It all started way before then...

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      sparksterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      And of course, Milton Erickson refined conversational (or covert) hypnosis, which is now a part of NLP:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_hypnosis

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      Insane Mundaneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Why stop there?  Animal Hypnosis tactics and all the events that involved such things during ancient times...  There is no patent on really anything to refine, since it has always been there.

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      sparksterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very true... and good point.

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   Rose Anne Kareshposted 11 years ago

   I think there is no one right answer. I would suggest starting with another question - why does your attention and focus need to be improved?  If you are just asking because you would like to be sharper in general then meditation, getting enough rest, regular exercise, avoidance of intoxicating substances, and solid nutrition (including adequate vitamin intake and good hydration) are all great places to start. However if you are asking because you think you have a problem with focus and attention I would suggest consulting a medical professional to find the source of the problem and advice about what specific treatment options might be appropriate. The strategies for general use may still be helpful but if you are experiencing a medical problem you want to at least identify it so you can make an informed choice about the best approach for you.
   
   I hope this helps...

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   Michael-Milecposted 11 years ago

   Long time ago , we were raised in the supplement -less era: home grown food supply and home made cooking has been essential base for  1) self discipline : one needs to know what is working best for " me " - engage in;   2) determination pick only what is valuable, don't waste  time and effort on what a system propagates;       
   3) meditation : excersise power of concentrating on things you've seen, heard and learn , as a base for increasing wisdom and knowledge.

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   days leaperposted 11 years ago

   Have you tried writing things down?  A "To Do" list helps me because then I don't have to hold so much in memory.  You might go a step further and prioritise the most important jobs in some kind of order, whether 'easiest, quickest to get completed, or most urgent.  However you decide.  I go as far as making a Journal of important events, which helps me work the day out etc.
   Also, I know that good Mathematicians (though I'm not) do lots of simple sums daily to keep their mind going.  Not too many hard ones so as not to wear themselves out when it comes to the real test/s.

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    cheaptrickposted 11 years ago

    Fear,paranoia,and adrenalin;mix thoroughly and you'll be so focused and attentive it'll hurt.
    Remember...perfect paranoia is perfect awareness...and fear,is a friend in disguise.

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    KoraleePposted 11 years ago

    The best thing that has worked for me was giving up coffee. Since I quit drinking it, not only has my focus and attention improved, but my memory has gotten much better as well. So perhaps the best recipe is not to try something new, but rather to give up something in your life that takes away from your focus and attention.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 11 years ago

    Connect up to your will. The will is to the psyche what the heart is to the body. Self directed learning through personal interest and motivation are vital! Also stay away from anything addicting, especially if the computer technology is addicting. Set up boundaries that keep yourself connected to your own will and true self.
    I heard Greg Louganis, US Olympian Diver, say to one of his dive students where I work...(He is filming there...)
    "Less conversation,
    More Focus."

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