Want to improve your concentration with no real extra work? Well, read on.
According to a recent study more than 60% of the UK population is between 1% and 5% dehydrated at any one time. Much of this is caused by the caffeine in drinks like tea, coffee and many soft drinks.
The problem with being dehydrated is that it impairs your ability to concentrate and also saps your energy as your body will struggle to maintain optimum levels of fluids.
Another danger with being dehydrated is that your brain often misinterprets the thirst signal for hunger and you end up eating more than may be good for you. This may lead to weight gain, obesity and all the health risks associated with being overweight.
The solution:
DRINK MORE WATER!
Being fully hydrated gives you more energy, will improve your concentration and up your productivity It alleviates mental fatigue and has also been shown to improve academic performance under exam conditions (wish I’d known this when I was at university).
Not only that but it improves your skin condition, aids digestion and helps support the immune system.
Now, I’m no nutrition expert but when I started drinking more water everyday, within 10 days I had more energy and could definitely concentrate more effectively.
You should aim at drinking between 3 and 4 pints (1.5 to 2 litres) of water a day as well as your normal intake of tea and coffee etc. It seems like a lot but if you keep a 750ml water bottle on your desk and aim to drink 2 of those a day then you’ll easily get it done.
However, there is a downside: you’ll end up nipping to the loo more frequently.
But that is probably a small price to pay for the ability to improve your concentration, energy and productivity.
Want more on focus and productivity? Check out:
Busy vs productive – a few pointers (article and video)
How To Beat The Afternoon Slump And Get More Done After Lunch (YouTube video)