Trouble Focusing? The Likely Cause (and FIX)

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted May 25, 2023

“Hello, police? I want to report a burglary.”

The thief? Big Tech. What did they steal? Our ability to focus.

If you’re like a LOT of folks, you find yourself continually distracted these days. Your ability to concentrate is shot. And there’s this little rectangular box that constantly draws your attention away from the present moment.

Sometimes the distractions trigger stress. But these focus killers can ALSO be thrilling. And either way, they’re quite addictive.

But you can break the spell. Let’s take a look at how.

I’ve been around long enough to remember sitting down to read a book at night and again first thing in the morning. Now, these days, it’s all smartphones all the time.

If you feel easily distracted, I’ve got some tricks to help you reclaim your focus.

Remove distractions: Assess what your biggest time sucks are. Social media, email, or electronic chats are some of the most common culprits. Once you’ve pinpointed the problem, put yourself on a “distractions diet.” Try to cut back as often as possible.

Get outside: If you pay attention to what is happening around you, the outside world is every bit as interesting as your electronics. Bugs, birds, animals, plants, and trees all have fascinating stories to tell if you pay attention. Schedule outside breaks and try to focus on nature.

Electronics Fast: Try going places WITHOUT your phone. I won’t lie to you, it’s hard to do. But the rewards, like living in the moment, are well worth the effort.

Practice mindfulness: You don’t have to break out the incense and chants to meditate. Mindfulness meditation can help you stay focused and calm. Take a few minutes each day to clear your mind and practice it. Need some help getting started? Check out my earlier report HERE.

Set aside time to read: Reintroducing your old reading habit will force you to put the phone down for a while each day. Try reading before bed and in the morning when you get up.

P.S. I’ve returned to my old habit of reading before bed. I sleep better than I do after looking at my phone. And research earlier this year revealed it’s doing something ELSE for me too. If you’ve fallen behind on your reading, as I had, you’ll want to know about THIS.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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