How can I focus? - Studies tell us to do this.

Have you ever sat down to study or work, only to find yourself reaching for your phone, daydreaming, or rereading the same sentence over and over? You’re not alone — and

it’s not just about being lazy or unmotivated. In fact, your brain is wired to resist deep

focus. From constant digital distractions to built-in survival instincts that crave novelty,

there are powerful reasons why staying focused feels like a battle. Understanding why 

it's so hard to concentrate is the first step toward beating the problem — and regaining control over your time, your energy, and your goals. Join our team at Hend in

uncovering the answer to "How can you Focus?".

Simple Fixes to distractions:

Declutter your workspace – Remove distractions (like snacks, extra devices, or mess).

A messy workspace might not seem like a big deal, but visual clutter actually competes

for your attention — even if you're not consciously aware of it.

Put your phone away or on Do Not Disturb – Phones are one of the biggest barriers to

focus. Even if it’s face down or silent, the mere presence of your phone can reduce concentration — studies have shown that your brain is partially "on alert" just knowing

it’s nearby.

Get all your materials ready beforehand – One of the sneakiest ways we lose focus is

by constantly getting up to grab “just one thing” — a charger, a notebook, a glass of

water. Each interruption breaks your rhythm and makes it harder to get back into a flow state.

How can I focus better? - Picture by Paul Skorupskas

Proven Techniques:

The Pomodoro Technique – The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that breaks your study time into short, focused intervals: 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break. After completing four of these cycles, you take a longer break of 15–30 minutes. Here's why it works:

• Beats procrastination: A 25-minute session feels manageable. It lowers the mental barrier to starting a task.

• Trains your focus muscle: Like exercise, short bursts of focused work gradually increase your ability to concentrate for longer.

• Reduces burnout: Regular breaks prevent mental fatigue and help your brain consolidate information.

• Creates urgency: A ticking timer builds gentle pressure, making you more likely to stay on task.

Side Note: Treat breaks with intention: stand up, walk, stretch, grab a snack — don’t scroll your phone or check social media. Active Studying – Active studying means engaging with the material in a way that makes your brain work harder, helping you understand and remember more deeply. It turns you from a consumer of information into a user of it. Passive studying — like reading over notes or highlighting — feels productive but often doesn’t stick. Here are some powerful active study methods:

• Self-quizzing: Use flashcards or make your own test questions. This strengthens recall and reveals gaps in your understanding.

• Teach someone else: Explaining a topic in your own words is one of the most effective ways to truly master it. No one around? Teach an imaginary student or talk out loud to yourself.

• Summarize from memory: After reading something, close your notes and try to write down or explain what you just learned without looking.

• Make connections: Ask, “How does this concept relate to something I already know?” or “Why does this matter?” — this deepens understanding.

So even with all these techniques, why is it so hard to focus.

Focus is hard to achieve because, at a biological level, our brains weren’t designed for it. We evolved to constantly scan our surroundings for threats and opportunities — not to sit still and concentrate on abstract tasks for hours. This makes us naturally sensitive to movement, noise, and new stimuli, which once kept us alive but now just distract us, especially in the modern world. Today’s phones, apps, and notifications hijack our brain’s dopamine system, training us to crave constant novelty and making deep focus feel dull by comparison. On top of that, focused thinking uses a lot of mental energy, so the brain often tries to avoid it by steering us toward easier, more passive tasks. Physical factors like stress, fatigue, or hunger also reduce blood flow to the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for concentration and decision-making — making it even harder to stay on track. Finally, a lack of clear goals can overwhelm the brain; sitting down with a vague idea like “I should study something” makes it much harder to focus than working toward a specific, small objective. Altogether, staying focused is a challenge because our instincts, environment, energy levels, and habits are often working against us.