• By Bornika Das
  • Tue, 19 Aug 2025 05:32 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Habits To Improve Focus: Often, maintaining sharp focus can feel like an uphill battle. They often try to find the answer to ‘how to improve focus quickly?’ In today’s busy world, distractions seem to occupy most of the space in the mind with mail notifications, endless to-do lists and constant pressure to multitask. All of these things make it extremely difficult to concentrate and stay focused. However, science shows that to improve focus, there is no need to do hours of meditation or strict productivity routines. Sometimes, just five minutes is enough to reset the mind and refocus faster than you can actually think. Small but powerful habits can easily help one focus despite any busy schedule.

Incorporating these five-minute habits can boost mental clarity and productivity. Techniques such as mindful breathing, physical movement, hydration and others have been shown to improve concentration, reduce stress and create a mental state for tackling even the most demanding tasks. Here are the seven powerful habits that help to improve focus in just five minutes.

Ways To Improve Focus in 5 Minutes

Try Deep Breathing

Research shows that slow, deep breathing helps reduce stress and improve concentration. Take 10 deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth. This helps calm racing thoughts, sharpen concentration and improve mental clarity within minutes.

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Move The Body

A quick walk or light stretching boosts blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This helps to improve mental clarity instantly. Five minutes of movement helps reset focus and energises both body and mind.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness exercises help train the brain to stay in the present moment, reduce distractions and improve focus. Simple mindful techniques as noticing the breath, observing the surroundings or practising gratitude, can help reset attention away from distractions. Mindfulness improves cognitive control, reduces mental clutter and strengthens the ability to concentrate on tasks effectively.

Hacks To Improve Focus And Concentration

Hacks To Improve Focus And Concentration (Image Credits: Canva)

Sip Water

Mild dehydration can cause brain fog. Drink a glass of water to rehydrate and restore mental sharpness. Hydration supports energy levels and enhances alertness to help stay focused.

Listen To White Noise

Studies suggest that steady background sounds can block distractions and help maintain attention on tasks. Sounds like rainfall or soft ambient music is helpful to improve focus, especially in noisy environments.

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Use The Pomodoro Reset

This technique implies working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break to prevent burnout. This helps to keep the brain engaged without mental burnout. This also helps to sustain focus for longer periods, refresh the mental energy and keep you productive.

Visual Success

This is a quick mental rehearsal of completing the task, boosting motivation and directing focus toward the goal. Picturing yourself completing a task successfully can help the brain focus and determine.

(Disclaimer: This content, including suggestions and advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information before making any drastic changes in your lifestyle.)