Say Goodbye to Brain Fog: 10 Proven Ways to Improve Focus and Reduce Stress

Raise your hand if your brain never works. 🙋‍♀️

Brain fog is a constant in my life. Even as I write this article, trying to convince you that adult colouring books and jigsaw puzzles can help cleanse the mind from years of neglect, as well as the stains of alcohol consumption, social media addiction, and endless hours of Netflix, wait, what was my point again? It seems to be an impossible task to concentrate.

Why can't I focus?! 🤯 I ask myself daily. I get easily distracted, to the point where I can't even make it through an episode of The Last Of Us without googling 'how close is the last of us tv show to the game?' I might as well be a zombie at this point. 

Brain fog can be a frustrating, even debilitating condition, and it can make it difficult to focus on even on the simplest tasks  I type as I am looking for my phone.

However, it is important to remember that you and I are not alone. Many people suffer from brain fog, and there are things that you can do to help manage it. 

These 10 Habits to Help You Focus

  • Eliminate distractions. This means turning off your phone, closing your email, and finding a quiet place to work. If you can, try to work in a space where you won't be interrupted.
  • Take breaks. Every 20-30 minutes, take a short break to stretch, walk around, or get a drink of water. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed.
  • Reward yourself. When you accomplish a task, give yourself a small reward, such as taking a few minutes to watch a video or read a book. This will help you stay motivated and on track.
  • Get enough sleep. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night for optimal functioning.
  • Train your brain. Games or activities that require focus and concentration, like solving a jigsaw puzzle, can actually help you get better at concentrating the more you do them. Difficult jigsaw puzzles can also help develop your working and short-term memory, as well as your processing and problem-solving skills.
  • Make time for exercise. Exercise is a great way to improve your concentration. A 2018 study of 116 fifth-graders found that daily physical activity improved concentration and attention after just 4 weeks.
  • Spend time in nature. If you want to boost your concentration naturally, spend time in nature. Go for a walk in the park, sit in your garden, or simply take a few deep breaths of fresh air. Natural environments have a calming effect that can help you focus and be more productive.
  • Give meditation a try. Meditation and mindfulness practices offer a wide range of benefits, including improved concentration, memory, and overall well-being. Studies found evidence to suggest that mindfulness training can help improve attention, focus and memory. Meditation doesn't have to be sitting silently with your eyes closed. There are many different ways to meditate, including yoga, deep breathing, and adult colouring books.
  • Listen to music. Listening to music while working or studying can help to block out distractions and improve concentration. It is important to experiment with different types of music and see what works best for you. You may also want to try using nature sounds or white noise to mask background sounds. This can help to create a more calming and relaxing environment, which can be beneficial for concentration.
  • Eat well. A diet can help boost concentration and improve overall mental health. Eating foods that are high in nutrients and low in processed ingredients can help to improve cognitive function. It is also important to stay hydrated. Even mild dehydration can make it difficult to focus and concentrate.  

Attention! Mindfulness merchandise might be seen as cringy, but in a world where attention is a scarce resource, its benefits are invaluable. If you can build up your ability to concentrate, you will have a competitive advantage over other people.

Can Jigsaw Puzzles Improve Focus and Concentration? 🧩

A 1000-piece round colour mandala jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle depicts a colourful mandala design in richly vibrant colors.

Jigsaw puzzles can be a great way to improve your concentration. When you work on a jigsaw puzzle, you have to focus on the details of the puzzle pieces, the shape, colour, and texture. This requires your brain to pay attention to one thing for an extended period, which can improve your ability to concentrate.

Solving a jigsaw puzzle requires problem-solving skills, which also helps to boost your concentration, as you have to think logically and strategically to put the pieces together and complete the puzzle improving your memory and cognitive function.

Jigsaw puzzles are also a relaxing and enjoyable activity, which can help to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. By reducing stress, you may find it easier to concentrate on other tasks in your daily life. But that doesn't mean you have to spend hours sorting the pieces of Marvel's The Avengers or a boring landscape of an English countryside to help you destress and focus.

There are *so* many adult jigsaw puzzles out there, puzzles that feature famous modern art, Instagram-worthy illustrations, and unique shapes to frame as wall decoration once you have finished. My personal favourite is this round-shaped mandala jigsaw puzzle as it features every colour on the spectrum. The mandala is beautiful and relaxing to work on, and the round shape makes it an eye-catching conversation piece.

It’s said that the puzzling can be a form of meditation due to the focus required connecting the pieces. So, it’s no surprise that more and more people are solving jigsaw puzzles as a way to relax and unwind after a stressful day.

Do Colouring Books Help With Focus and Concentration? 🖍️

A colouring book for adults with the title "The Affirmations Colouring Book" including the quotes of Neville Goddard the prominent teacher of the Law of Assumption.

Adult colouring books can be a helpful tool to improve focus and concentration, particularly for those who struggle to concentrate on a task for an extended period of time. Engaging in colouring activities requires fine motor skills and attention to detail, both of which can enhance concentration.

Colouring books have been proven to be an effective stress and anxiety-reducing activity, which can contribute to better concentration. When feeling less anxious and stressed, it is easier to focus on other tasks.

Adult colouring books can encourage mindfulness, which involves being fully present and engaged in the present moment. By training the brain to be more focused on the task at hand, mindfulness can also improve concentration. Adult coloring is a simple and enjoyable activity that can be done nearly anywhere, making it an accessible and practical tool for anyone looking to improve their concentration.

I highly recommend The Affirmations Colouring Book. It is a great way to improve your focus and concentration, self-esteem, and confidence by colouring in the daily affirmations and pages using Neville Goddard's Law of Assumption. The affirmations help you to develop a positive attitude, which can lead to improved focus and concentration. Neville Goddard believes when you focus on the positive, you are more likely to attract positive things into your life.

A colouring page from 'The Affirmations Colouring Book' featuring the Neville Goddard quote 'I am a powerful creator'.

If you're struggling to improve your focus, don't give up. It takes time and effort to develop good focus skills. Just keep practicing and you'll eventually see results.

More from Rest In Pieces

Rest In Pieces' Colour Me puzzles are a perfect blend of adult colouring books and puzzles. They offer a stimulating and relaxing experience, and they come in a variety of sizes and difficulty levels to suit all ages and skill levels.

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