4 foolproof strategies for managing attention problems

In our stressed-out world, sometimes it's hard to pay attention. The following strategies should help you stay attentive when you need to:

To find out which common cause of distraction is affecting you, ask yourself if you are hungry or tired, stressed or worried, or if you are using distracting technology.

• As a society, we tend to ignore our bodies unless they malfunction. Many of us live in such a chronic state of disconnect that we don't realize our bodies are sending us nagging messages.
• Like our ignored emails, we often disregard these messages or file them away without looking at them.
• If you're hungry, physical sensations and low blood sugar may cause your attention to wander.
• If you find your attention problems correspond with hunger, the solutions are simple: eat breakfast, have dinner early, and carry a snack with you during the day.
• Not sleeping enough has very similar effects to hunger. Sleep deprivation can lead to a host of problems, from the inability to focus to actual physical disease. If necessary, take a nap during the day.

Physical discomfort may be caused by clothes that are too tight or too loose such as ill-fitting shoes or uncomfortable fabrics.

• Ergonomics may also be a problem as furniture is often designed with style or functionality in mind rather than comfort.
• If your clothes are uncomfortable, make adjustments such as switching to low heels or flats, or loosening your belt.
• If the problem is with furnishings, see what accommodations may be made before looking to replace everything.
• Raising or lowering you chair, using a lumbar pillow, or other simple adjustments may be all it takes.

It's difficult to concentrate when you're worrying about other things.

• You may find that rather than being present in the moment, your brain is thinking about your upcoming car payment, your child's school progress, or other issues that are bothering you.
• If you find this happening, take a two-minute break. Assure yourself that these are valid worries, and that you will give them the attention they deserve, but not now.
• Choose a time later in the day when you can give them attention and tell yourself that you will address them then. Take several deep breaths, thank yourself for listening, and go back to your task.
• If you feel that stress is a real problem for you rather than a passing concern, a good stress-management book or workshop may be helpful.

Technology can be a real distraction.

• If you're having trouble focusing, unplug.
• Put your phone on silent or turn it off, close that browser window, and leave social media for later.

These are some of the most common causes of attention problems for adults, and many of them affect us without our even realizing it. So, if you find you're having attention problems on a day-to-day basis, ask yourself the questions above -- and listen to the answers.