Researchers looked at how mindfulness can increase our ability to pay attention in a recently released study. The researchers discovered that improvements in attention span were linked to changes in brain function. Because the brain’s capacity to comprehend all of the information it receives is limited, it concentrates our attention (in the prefrontal cortex) to help us figure out how to proceed. Attention is divided into two functions, both of which are aided by mindfulness.

For starters, mindfulness improves the efficiency of brain networks that interpret sensory information. The subjects in the study were able to see incoming information more accurately and with less judgment because of their increased attentiveness. Our improved ability to appropriately interpret information from our senses is referred to as a “bottom-up” process by scientists.

Second, mindfulness can improve the brain’s ability to focus attention on the work or circumstance at hand. We are better capable of focusing on the work at hand and disregard distractions when this occurs. Our ability to allocate attention is referred to as a “top-down” mechanism by scientists.

What You Can Do To Make It Work For You:

The way we pay attention is determined by the task’s priority. Consider the following, given that mindfulness has been shown to improve our attention span:

Allow your mind to investigate which tasks concern and stress you the most.
Determine which duties are genuinely critical to your health.
Break down significant tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks that will help you achieve the greater overall goal.
Remove visible distractions and devise a strategy for dealing with interruptions.
Focus on one task or goal at a time. Multitasking is the antithesis of concentration.

Also Read: How Does Mindfulness Help Becoming Your Own Best Friend?