10 Natural Remedies For Improving Focus, Memory & Attention

Have you ever had a difficult time completing a task at work, struggling to study for an important test, or spent time wishing you could increase your concentration power?

Well, it’s normal. Low concentration sometimes can be confused with low attention span but there’s a difference between the two terms. Attention span is the length of time you can concentrate on a task while concentration is the mental effort you direct towards a task.

Losing concentration and having poor focus means that the mental efforts you’re putting towards a task are low.

Some people naturally have a harder time focusing on a task but factors such as age and lack of sleep can affect your concentration skills. Certain medical conditions can also affect your concentration, memory, and focus such as a concussion or a brain injury.

When you try too hard to concentrate on a task and can’t for some reason, you can feel frustrated and irritated. This can cause you stress which, in turn, can further worsen your focus and affect your memory.

If this scenario feels familiar, here are some natural remedies to improve focus and concentration. These natural focus aids are research-backed aids to help you not only improve concentration but improve focus and memory.

Lifestyle Tips For Concentration

1. Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep deprivation can harm your cognitive function. Being tired can slow down your reflexes, affect your mood, and result in poor performance. On average, at least 7-8 hours of sleep is recommended.

You can find a few tips on how you can improve your sleep habits, here.

2. Make Time For Exercise

Walking at least for 30 minutes every day can help in improving your concentration. Regular exercise can benefit you in many ways, not only physically but mentally as well. Moderate aerobic exercises every day can help prevent memory loss, reduce depression, and release stress.

Dedicate 20-30 minutes every day to physical exercise. You can try swimming, aerobics, or just walking.

3. Practice Stress Management

Just like skipping sleep can affect your concentration, not addressing your micro stressors can also impact your cognitive performance. One of the best ways to improve your focus and attention is to practice stress management to lower stress levels. Remember too much stress can affect your memory.

4. Listen To Music

Did you know that music is one of the best natural focus aids you can incorporate into your everyday life? Listening to music while working or studying can help increase your concentration. If you don’t enjoy listening to music while working, you can try using nature sounds or white noise in the background.

Make sure you avoid music you love listening to or dislike as each can prove to be a distraction instead of a helpful aid.

Mind-Body Techniques For Focus And Attention

5. Practice Meditation

Practicing mindfulness and meditation exercises have many benefits including improving focus and attention. Meditation doesn’t mean simply closing your eyes and breathing. You can try these meditation techniques if you’re new to meditation.

One of the best meditation practices that I love practicing when I want to improve my focus is focused-attention meditation.

6. Try Tai-Chi

Tai-chi is a traditional Chinese martial art practice that is performed as a form of physical exercise. This practice includes a set of movements in a gentle, graceful, and focused manner along with deep breathing. According to a study published in the American Journal Of Preventive Medicine, Tai Chi can help improve focus and attention.

This traditional practice can also improve other cognitive functions in adults including memory retention.

Nutrition-Based Focus Aids

7. Antioxidant Foods

Antioxidant foods offer natural protection against aging and decline in healthy cognitive functions involving attention, problem-solving, and concentration. Consuming antioxidant foods are good not only for your physical but mental health as well!

Supplements and food with vitamin C and vitamin E are the best and can help slow and prevent the decline in cognitive performance.

8. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential part when it comes to preventing cognitive decline. Fish oils and Flaxseeds are high in omega-3 and such supplements, especially in older adults, can improve attention and focus.

Always consult with a physician before taking any supplements. Some supplements can have side effects too.

9. Green Tea

Not only consuming green tea can help reduce weight and control blood sugar levels but it can also help in improving memory retention and reducing anxiety. Drinking green tea regularly can also help improve cognitive performance in older adults.

Apart from green tea, drinking caffeine can also help you increase your focus and attention. However, caffeine can also cause anxiety jitters if you’re sensitive to it.

Natural Remedies For Memory

10. Rosemary

The herb has been proven to boost cognitive function and improve memory in adults according to a study published in the Journal Of Medicinal Food. Rosemary activates the internal antioxidant system and reduces the imbalance in the brain, preventing aging and degeneration.

This herb can also help slow and prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Conditions That Can Affect Concentration Skills

Common causes of loss of concentration are not only limited to day-to-day distractions but can also be because of underlying mental or physical health conditions:

• ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Cognitive Impairment such as developmental disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Depression or Anxiety
• Chronic Stress

Writer’s Thoughts

Some natural remedies may help you improve concentration while some may not work with you. Experiment with all to find the one that works with you well. If any of the above natural remedies for focus and attention do not work for you, you can try consulting with a mental healthcare professional.

Sometimes, the reason behind your lack of concentration, poor memory, or poor focus can be an underlying mental health disorder.

Did you try the above-mentioned natural focus aids? Let us know if they worked for you in the comments below! If you think we missed something, you can let us know by writing to us at info@calmsage.com.

Take Care!