Problem with wandering mind...

joecc

Hi there,
anybody got any tips on concentration for a period of time...I feel my mind wanders when I have to study/learn something....Non-related thoughts keep coming into my mind! Makes learning something extra hard...

anyone experience this?

pwd

Yep. I think it can help when you are learning some types of new concepts though.
Caffeine helps if it's a problem. Upbeat music can help too if you don't find it distracting itself.Takes occasional breaks from studying too (every 45 minutes or so)

HugoIrl

joecc wrote: »

Hi there,
anybody got any tips on concentration for a period of time...I feel my mind wanders when I have to study/learn something....Non-related thoughts keep coming into my mind! Makes learning something extra hard...

anyone experience this?

I'm the same, find the music in the back round helps, if you don't take notes I walk about reading the stuff outloud. Stops me wondering off!

dyl10

Cod liver oil supplements and a good sleep pattern have worked wonders for me in the past

petethebrick

pwd wrote: »

Caffeine helps if it's a problem. Upbeat music can help too if you don't find it distracting itself.

I can't listen to music and read at the same time, not even novels and the like, pain in the ass.

Mingey

I'm like that too OP. I have terrible trouble concentrating when I read. Each sentance sends me into an imaginary world. I have tried to combat it by setting myself little goals. I say to myself that I will just read this paragraph then I can stop to have a think. I let my mind wander for a few minutes then get back into it. Actually, this is not very effective, I don't know why I am telling you this

Fajitas!

I'm a terrible feicer for procrastinating when I should be doing something important.

Tbh, I just try to get somewhere without distractions such as people, I've found jazz & classical music much easier to work with than most other music - Lack of lyrics helps

Make sure you're not over tired, turn your phone off, and put it in another room if you have to and get a good working space where you don't have to jump up every few minutes. Try not to give yourself the chance to make excuses, I know that sounds stupid, but you know what I mean.

A good supply of tea or coffee helps, but I've had some bad experiences with too much coffee :-/

See if someone like Eric Satie tickles your fancy for music to work to.

I study with other people in quiet space, I usually gatecrash the postgrad reading rooms. It keeps my bum glued to the seat, because the kind of people who study in there do not take distraction kindly.

I give myself break goals to work towards.

I'm also trying to improve my mental focus with my diet. I'm making sure I get my EFA;s, B vits, Vit E and I'm talking Ginkgo Biloba tincture.
Seems to be helping my focus.

chillywilly

omega 3 capsules (fish oils) helps with concentration

titan18

pwd wrote: »

Yep. I think it can help when you are learning some types of new concepts though.
Caffeine helps if it's a problem. Upbeat music can help too if you don't find it distracting itself.Takes occasional breaks from studying too (every 45 minutes or so)

Caffeine shuts down the brain, and you won't retain anything.

Eat lots of white meat and drinks lots of water

pwd

titan18 wrote: »

Caffeine shuts down the brain, and you won't retain anything.

Eat lots of white meat and drinks lots of water

Where did you read that? I find it helps me focus.

joecc

thanks everyone have read those with care.
Wouldn't music in the background, vocal or instru, be a form of distraction?

Re: Eric Satie, I'm only familiar with one of his tunes 'Gymnopodie No 1' - it's remarkable. (I often wonder what circumstance he was in, when he wrote, If I was to guess, it's about someone leaving, either for good or in temporary sense). I'm not lying when I say this: I'm actually learning this on piano...and this is one of the occasions when I experience the wandering mind....
But it's definitely not a reflection of Satie's composition...)

jessbeth

Have you ever heard of mindfulness? I think if you practise this then it will help you concentrate. It's all about learning to live in the moment and not letting your mind wander. It takes a bit of practise but can be very helpful in lots of areas of life if you get good at it. Just type mindfulness into google and you'll get lots of info about it. Progressive muscle relaxation will help to. It teaches your body to relax and then your mind relaxs too and it becomes easier to focus.

JMCD

jessbeth wrote: »

Have you ever heard of mindfulness? I think if you practise this then it will help you concentrate. It's all about learning to live in the moment and not letting your mind wander. It takes a bit of practise but can be very helpful in lots of areas of life if you get good at it. Just type mindfulness into google and you'll get lots of info about it. Progressive muscle relaxation will help to. It teaches your body to relax and then your mind relaxs too and it becomes easier to focus.

Yea thats what I would recommend...forget the past,dont worry about the future just concentrate on now! Easier said then done, but I find meditating helps greatly!!:)

00112984

Ginko Bilboa is available from most health food/supplement shops and improves concentration.

titan18

pwd wrote: »

Where did you read that? I find it helps me focus.

In our college course, we have a study coach come into talk to us.She said it.Any caffeine, sugar and white bread.