With the pace at which the world’s economy is fluctuating badly, coupled with the need to discover one’s place and capability amidst other troubles, learning and practicing the 10 best exercises for increasing concentration and sustaining motion, if not amplifying it, is a virtue in itself.
At the mention of exercises one thing comes to mind. While we speak extensively about the physical activity which helps keep one’s body in shape, we also have a duty to mean actions that help keep one’s concentration undiluted.
Exercise: Physical Activity
It is no doubt that any movement that makes your muscles work and requires your body to burn calories is what we call exercise. In advanced understanding according to Wikipedia, exercise can defined as some intentional physical activity done to enhance or maintain fitness and overall health.
It is performed for various reasons, including weight loss or maintenance, to aid growth and improve strength, develop muscles and the cardiovascular system, hone athletic skills, improve health, or simply for enjoyment. It can then be identified as something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill.
Apart from the physical activity that it is, there are also some other types of exercise that can be considered so. These are: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. However, research has proven that regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
10 Best Exercises for Increasing Concentration
Speaking of the benefits of exercise, it is important that we point at the fact that there are those forms of exercises that sharpens the human power of concentration. Popularly, many will say Yoga. That is because it is the most practiced by Buddhist who are said to be one of the most concentrated groups of spiritual individuals in the world.
Nonetheless, the forms or types of exercises that are best at increasing your concentration capacity go beyond just the physical activity; thus, they have been outlined below for your benefit:
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Practice Memorization
This game uses direct memory recall to train your focusing abilities. Try putting objects into a row on a flat surface. Then cover them with a blanket or sheet of paper so you can’t see the objects anymore. Try to recall what objects were in the row and in what order they appeared.
You can then write the objects down in a list or draw them. Keep track of how much time you spend remembering the objects and record your accuracy. To increase the difficulty, add more objects to the original row.
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Meditate for Five Minutes
Meditation is a bodily practice that can help you learn how to focus your attention and remain calm. Meditation techniques often involve regulating your breath and observing your thoughts. To meditate, try sitting down in a quiet location. Set a timer for five minutes and observe your breathing.
This practice can help you regulate your emotional responses and better understand how you think, which can help you learn how to concentrate on a task.
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Strength Training
Strength training and other forms of exercise can help you develop discipline and feel more energized. These attributes can help you sustain focus, particularly during a high-concentration event or job interview. Try dedicating 15 or 30 minutes a day to a physical activity you enjoy doing. This can be a walk around a certain location or perhaps dancing to a favorite song.
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Listen Actively
Active listening is a skill where you focus on the contents of the conversation to offer meaningful responses. To practice active listening, try pausing after your conversation partner speaks to comprehend their words and think about your response. You can try nodding your head or saying affirming words while they’re talking to encourage yourself to stay present in the conversation.
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Read
Books with a high word count require a lot of sustained focus for long periods. Consider recalling the plot and character attributes after finishing each chapter. Using your knowledge of the story, decide the best way it could continue. Write those plot points down and assess your decisions.
Engaging with a story can be an exciting way to increase your concentration, learn how to process complex information and decide whether that information is helpful or relevant.
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Watch the Second Hand of an Analog Clock
Watch the second hand of a clock go around and around. How long can you watch the clock without thinking about something else? When your mind wanders, bring it back to the clock. Is it boring? Of course. That’s what makes it challenging. Suggestion: focus on the tip of the moving second hand.
Then try counting backward by seven or any other number that appeals to you. How far can you get before your mind drifts away? You might strengthen your math skills, too. (I personally do this one for sleep relaxation sometimes).
