We’ve all been there; you’ve got a deadline due, and your hopelessly cramming in as much information as possible to make up for the lost time spent procrastinating when you probably should have been studying.
The last-minute rush to get work done is a classic example of struggling to focus your mind on the task at hand and make sure the work you have can be completed quickly and efficiently. Now, there are a lot of reasons people procrastinate when doing homework. After all, studying can be pretty tedious at the best of times. However, there are ways to bring your focus back to the task at hand.
Now, some of those methods can involve certain supplements and consumables to get you operating at a higher level. However, we’re not going to be talking about those. Instead, in today’s blog, we’ll be diving into the nature of breathing practice and how you can improve your focus using an incredible technique.
Read on!
Mindfulness for Focus
Central to the idea of focus is the concept of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is about paying attention to moments of time as they happen nonjudgmentally. This is sometimes called “being present” and is key to focusing more efficiently as we encourage our minds to operate in the “here and now.”
Of course, achieving a state of mindfulness can be tricky. Our minds often work in various stages between “now,” the past, and the future – rarely staying in a single space. As a result, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and inattention can quickly develop from being unable to move on from thoughts relating to the past or the future.
Breathing For Focus
When we speak about focusing on the task at hand, we’re actually talking about being able to stay “present” as we complete the duty we’ve assigned ourselves. Finding a sense of focus is a process intimately connected with the idea of mindfulness. As a result, the exercises we use for achieving a state of mindfulness are equally helpful when trying to achieve a focused state for work and study.
Exercises for Work & Study
Below is an exercise we can use to maximize our sense of focus while attaining a state of mindfulness that encourages an efficient work and study mindset:
Body Scan
The Body Scan technique is vital when attempting to train the mind to focus on individual moments that make the “present.” Try using this technique to refocus your attention while calming your nerves at the same time.
- Sit down comfortably on a chair and get comfortable with your hands on your knees.
- Close your eyes and breathe slowly, focusing on the inhale and exhale as you naturally acquire a rhythm.
- Take note of your body and consciously choose to feel each extremity. Start from your head and work down to your toes.
- As you notice areas of tension in your body, use your breathing to figuratively “release” the tension to that spot with every inhale and exhale.
For more information regarding how to manage your breathing for a more effective lifestyle, visit our other blogs here at The Exhale to get the latest tips and tricks.
For free guided breathing exercises that you can take anywhere, try out the Breathwrk app here and enjoy a FREE 7-day trial with access to everything we have to offer!
And remember: Breathe Better, Live Better.
Ciao!
