Health Minute: How To Help Your Brain Avoid Distractions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Anyone can get distracted, but there are ways to help your brain focus on the task at hand. A health expert weighs in on how to help your brain avoid distraction.

Chasing Life Podcast Host Dr. Sanjay Gupta says self care is the first step in avoiding distraction. He said it can also improve our attention span. Additionally, so can planning to do the hardest work in front of you at the time of day you tend to be most focused.

Gupta says to also be aware of unconscious distractions and make them intentional.

“Instead of reaching for your phone when you hear a ping, say ‘I’ll answer that text in 30 minutes after I finish this step,’” Gupta said. 

When you’re getting a project done, Gupta says to be aware of thoughts that distract you. He says not to dwell on them and to write them down instead.

Gupta says to also keep a tidy workspace. Research shows clutter can have a negative impact on executive function and mental health.

Finally, he says to think of a large task in front of you as a series of smaller tasks.