There is nothing more frustrating than working on a project and not being able to focus or concentrate. Can CBDa help us focus on our work and be more productive? CBDa has many neurological benefits. These positive effects may assist in improving our concentration and supporting lifestyles that clarify our focus and mental well-being. (1)
Although research in the specific area of CBDa and mental focus is limited, it is promising. Studies show that using organic hemp oil supports other areas in our lives that require concentration. (1)
Simple lifestyle and behavioral changes can affect your mental energy and health. Number one on the list is prioritizing sleep. Additionally, exercise, nutrition, and creating an ideal focus-driven environment are essential for ensuring a productive mindset. (2)
Concentration Hacks for Better Focus
Small lifestyle changes can have a tremendous impact on our physical, and more importantly, mental well-being. Keeping our mind sharp and focused creates a cycle of positive self-confidence, and continues improving our ability to concentrate.
Sleep and Focus
Sleep is the most important component to better focus and energy throughout the day. And sleep deprivation is one of the biggest killers of concentration. It disrupts cognitive function, slows your reflexes, and affects your ability to do basic daily tasks. Most experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep a night for adults. However, many of us try to get by on six hours or less. (3)
Some simple ways to improve your sleep so you can rock your day include:
- Practice a digital sunset, turning off all electronics at least an hour before going to bed
- Creating an ideal environment for sleep-- keep it cool, dark, and quiet
- Develop a bedtime routine-- wind down with reading, a bath, or a meditation
- Go to bed at the same time every night (even on weekends)
- Exercise regularly, but do it earlier in the day (3)
CBDa supports better focus through better sleep. Making it a part of your nightly routine helps you fall asleep faster, and wake-up refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Practice Your Focus and Concentration
Apart from improving your sleep, the next best action for improving focus and concentration is practicing mindfulness and meditation. Meditation is wonderful for improving and reducing stress. Stress can wreak havoc on our mental health, and negatively affects our ability to focus. Stress is linked with damage to memory, willpower, and mental energy. (2)
Depression and anxiety make it hard to concentrate. Stress makes it difficult to learn and remember what we just read or heard. By calming the mind with a meditation practice, we can mitigate some of the negative effects of stress, and improve our ability to focus on the task at hand. (3)
Studies show that meditation is an effective practice for reducing stress by helping lower anxiety, fatigue, and reactive emotions like anger. But mindfulness meditation also helps improve attention. Meditation does more than just relieve stress and anxiety, it helps train your brain. (2)
When practicing mindfulness meditation, our brains naturally wander. But in practicing with a relaxed and calm mind, we train it to come back to center. This repeated practice is similar to working our physical muscles. The more we train it with repetition, the quicker we are able to bring the brain back to focus on what’s important in the moment. When we can do this in meditation, we can then use it in real life. (4)
Exercise for Your Mind’s Health
A 2007 experiment involving exercise on a treadmill demonstrated how exercise does more than our body good. When asked to name alternative uses for items like newspapers, participants who exercised improved their processing speed and cognitive flexibility. Those who did not exercise showed no change. After one workout, we are able to think on our feet more, shift our thinking, and come up with more creative thoughts. In other words, if you really want to improve your focus and concentration, exercise is an easy answer. (5)
Exercise releases neurotransmitters known as catecholamines that increase concentration levels. All forms of exercise, no matter what level you are at improve your focus. Whether it’s a brisk walk or a high energy game of basketball, boost your brain with a cardio burst. (6)
Exercising right before you need to focus can boost your concentration naturally. But combining exercise with meditation can help improve attention and other cognitive abilities for longer stretches throughout the day. (3)
Tai chi has shown to improve the memory and attention of participants. And scientific evidence supports the positive effects of walking in nature, even at a leisurely pace. Getting outside every day, even for 15-20 minutes boosts your concentration and helps productivity. (2,3)
Nutritional Hacks for Focus
Our food choices don’t just affect our physical well-being, they can impact our mental health as well. But eating right to help improve our concentration doesn’t have to be a miserable undertaking. Simple implementations can boost our brainpower and help keep you focused.
Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and sardines, and in flaxseed, help improve attention and cognitive ability. Studies show that these essential fatty acids play a key role in preserving brain health. And a healthy brain is a thinking and productive brain. (2)
Another nutrient that affects our cognitive function is zinc. Zinc is found in fish and animal meats, as well as legumes and nuts and seeds. It plays a crucial role in cognitive stability and memory. One food to avoid if you want to improve your focus is sugar. Sugar is considered by many experts to be an inflammatory food that decreases cognitive ability. Aim for high protein and fiber with eggs and whole grains. (3,5)
Life Hacks for Better Concentration
Beyond the healthy habits of our fundamentals, what other ways can we boost our concentration? Simple life hacks set our brains up for success, making a productive work session rather than a highly distracted one. There is no ideal environment that suits everyone.
Investing in noise-canceling headphones will help eliminate distractions if you notice your focus is more on point in complete silence. Some people concentrate better with ambient noise. Music or even a coffee shop may be an ideal place to be more productive. (6)
And finally, creating a habit of writing ideas or notes down as soon as you think of them will help you remember and train your brain. Much like mindfulness meditation, jotting down random thoughts improves the muscle of the brain and helps you improve your focus in a natural way. (6)
CBDa Supports Focus and Concentration
Many factors affect our mental energy and ability to concentrate. If you struggle with these neuro-booster habits, using an organic full-spectrum hemp oil relaxes and calms the mind. CBDa helps connect us to nature, relax the mind, and focus on what’s important to us to improve our mental well-being.
Want to Learn More?
Sources
- https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-energy
- https://www.verywellmind.com/ways-to-be-focused-sharp-naturally-3571859
- https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-improve-concentration
- Fletcher, E. Stress Less, Accomplish More. William Morrow Publishers. New York, 2019
- Ratey, J. M.D. Spark. Little, Brown Spark. New York, 2008
- https://www.medicaldaily.com/ways-naturally-improve-your-focus-all-day-long-morning-night-249371
