A short attention span is a hallmark of adult ADHD. But even those with highly distracted minds can take steps to improve their focus. For starters, ADHD adults can minimize daily distractions, like cleaning up cluttered personal spaces, powering down attention-stealing digital devices and keeping daily to-do lists to a reasonable (and realistic) length.
Beyond that, there are lifestyle strategies that have a direct impact on the brain's ability to pay attention:
- Catch more ZZZs. Lack of sleep—common in adults with ADHD—worsens daytime fatigue and seriously impairs concentration and productivity. It also messes with learning, memory, executive functioning and emotional stability. If you have a sleep-deprived ADHD adult in your life, suggest that they talk to their doctor about sleep aids or healthy sleep strategies that might help.
- Hit the gym. According to research, exercise is a powerful tool to boost attention in adults with or without ADHD. But in ADHD-specific studies, exercise improved impaired attention, impulse control and executive functioning by enhancing neurological functioning in parts of the brain responsible for these jobs.
- Be more Zen. Mindfulness meditation may train the brain to focus better. This ancient mind-quieting technique teaches people to reign in mental chatter and focus on the present moment. Although more research is needed to confirm its specific benefits for ADHD adults, one study did find that meditation boosted neural processes in regions of the brain responsible of sustaining attention.
- Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast leads to low blood sugar later in the day—and that means no fuel for your brain cells. Talk about a recipe for poor focus. According to several studies, eating breakfast improves concentration, mood, learning, memory and overall cognitive functioning. But watch what you put on your plate. Choose complex carbohydrates like fruit and whole grains, which trigger a slow, steady, attention-sustaining release of blood sugar.
