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Practice a Mindful Moment

Mindfulness can lead to better focus


An overhead view of ocean waves
Benjamin Lee / EyeEm/Getty Images

Quick Win

Being in the moment helps you better focus on what’s in front of you.

Try This Today

  • Use waiting to your advantage. If you’re at a restaurant with a friend and they go to the restroom, don’t reach for your phone. Practice sitting in the space and taking in your surroundings.
  • Engage your senses. Stop what you are doing and notice the sights, smells, tastes, textures and sounds around you.
  • Turn chores into mindful moments. When washing the dishes, feel the water running over your hands and notice the smell of the dish soap.
  • Make eating a mindful activity. As you chew, focus on the texture of the food and the taste of each bite.

Why

Mindfulness, which involves intentionally paying attention to what’s happening in the moment without judgment, has been linked to better brain function and focus in many studies, including one assessing mindfulness practice while walking outdoors by 25 older adults in their mid 60s to late 80s reported in 2021 in the Preventive Medicine Reports journal. A mindful approach can also help you focus on the daily steps to achieve your goals.

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