Ask HN: How can I increase my attention span?

22 points by sauravt 6 years ago | 9 comments
Looking for exercises and practical advice to increase time spent in deep work, focussed state and techniques to increase attention span.

I am already trying daily meditation and pomodoro technique for specific tasks.

  • tharidlynn 6 years ago
    1.Healthy lifestyle: eat less junkie-food, exercise, and have a good night sleep (sleeping is the most important for me). Avoid stress as much as you can and try to live happy life instead.

    2.Less news: stop watching tv and read less news. These make your brain process less information and reduce the cognitive overloads.

    3.Single goal: decide what you want to do or what skill you want to achieve. Do not try to have multi-goal or multi-tasking while you are focusing. In general, you want to have zero distraction so no phone, youtube, music, email.

    If you feel tired after 3-4 hours, do something else to relax your brain til you feel ready for the next session. Do not take it too serious and enjoy the process instead. It's getting better everytime so let it be and just have a good day!.

    • adnanazadsg 6 years ago
      One of the best techniques that I have found to be useful is reading more long-form writings.

      Its something I found myself doing less and less over the past 5 years and in 2019 made a conscious effort to change that.

      Find a topic you are interested in and start reading more. Avoid short-form writings such as tweets, or stuff like that. If you dont have a lot of free time, start with reading articles of Medium.

      Reading books are obviously better. It also helped me improve my focus and memory because you rarely finish a book in a single sitting, so you start getting used to remember what you read yesterday and get back into that context.

      I'd recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes each day and forming that habit.

      • atiredturte 6 years ago
        I've been implementing a "power hour" approach, and it's been quite helpful.

        Basically, I write down a task (or a few smaller tasks) to tackle during a dedicated 1 hr. In this hour I can do nothing else.

        I've found that I am forced into some kind of flow, and am forced to confront the discomfort that can come from actually focus on things. It's not hard to be uncomfortable for an hour a day.

        I don't really know many others that do exactly this, but this has helped me (Also, I have ADHD and focus can be an issue for me).

        • Chunklight 6 years ago
          I agree. For those with ADHD, especially on the instant release ritalin, it can help to line a "power hour" up with important tasks, things you know you're going to avoid when the meds wear off, or things that take a lot of planning but make later stuff easier.

          Also knocking something out early in the day can create momentum and stop inertia.

        • natmaka 6 years ago
          My work implies long periods of desk-sitting while cutting a large problem into small ones, then focusing on each one. This "Descartes/algorithmics FTW!" way may sound familiar to some...

          Practicing a physical and skill-based activity implying many simultaneous urgent inputs tremendously enhances my focus and attention span. Most martial arts are adequate.

          • crazygorilla 6 years ago
            Books have been mentioned already, maybe listening to lectures can help because you will realize it quickly once you loose your attention. Khan academy's lecture videos are great too.
            • yssrnjm 6 years ago
              You can try to avoid cellphone before going to bed as it really changes how you will wake up. What I will also try in the future is more Article reading and less Youtube for News
              • lutorm 6 years ago
                Modify your online habits? I just read "The Shallows" and it really brought home to me how the web has altered my attention span.
                • bjourne 6 years ago
                  Unplug your internet.