A goldfish has a longer attention span than humans. So, let’s keep this explainer short and simple.
Our attention spans have shortened over the years. In 2015, Microsoft conducted a study and found that the average attention span of one individual is eight seconds, while a goldfish has an attention span of nine seconds.
Dan Devoe, a psychology professor at Mount Royal University, is not convinced.
“I don’t know if our attention spans have shrunk. I would say that we’re probably just getting better at detecting people who have a shorter attention span,” said Devoe.
Although the average student has a 10-15-minute attention span during lectures, it decreases after that period of time.
Carlene Sicat, a fourth-year sociology student at Mount Royal University, says her attention span has drastically declined transitioning from a remote to in-person learning.
“I found myself overwhelmed or stressed about the lecture materials, especially when my mind would wander somewhere else and get bored from being deprived of stimulation,” said Sicat.
Supportive Care, an American institution specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), listed five practices to improve our attention span.
Practicing mindfulness
Meditation is a popular and effective technique for helping our brains focus on the present. The practice involves deep breathing while blocking any distractions from the outside. Mastering mindfulness can also decrease the process of producing task-unrelated loose thoughts.
Taking breaks
Contrary to popular belief, taking breaks is essential to improving concentration. Several short breaks throughout the day can help the brain rest and restore mental energy.
“One hundred per cent, that’s for sure. But you only want to take a five to 10-minute break at max, and it should be timed,” said Devoe.
Patricia Abulescu found that taking no longer than 10-minute breaks replenishes energy and decreases fatigue. Work performance, except for cognitively demanding tasks also improved.
“Cramming everything I need to study without any breaks is stress and anxiety-inducing. The best way to give myself a mental break is by giving myself a break after I study every 20-30 mins,” said Sicat.
Getting enough sleep
Having enough hours of rest is critical to our ability to focus. Supportive Care recommends at least seven hours of sleep every night to maximize our ability to concentrate.
Devoe adds that getting enough sleep is also about the consistency of waking up and sleeping at the same time.
“Try to reduce yourself from waking up too much during the night. Make sure to get that sweet spot of getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night.”
Minimizing distractions
The number one source of distraction right now is our mobile phones. Social media, notifications and text messages are some of the few that distractions that make it challenging to stay concentrated on tasks. It is better to turn notifications off during work periods or keep your phones tucked away.
The area where we work is also a factor to consider. How is the noise level? How busy is it? Can you function continuously without disruptions?
“When I study, it has to be in an ideal environment where I have a clean workspace, mellow music in the background and a soft lighting lamp,” said Sicat. Adding, “This environment provides a sense of comfort and calmness that I lean more into.”
Practicing active listening
Active listening requires maximum effort from one person to engage themselves through responses to one another. This practice requires time, but when mastered, it improves attention span in general.
Supportive Care says that embracing these five practices in our daily lives will likely improve our attention span.