“I have a hard time focusing”. “I get distracted easily”. “I lose my train of thought”. These sentences are examples of a common deficit found in people living with brain injury, stroke, concussion, dementia, and a wide range of other neurogenic communication disorders: impaired attention. There are many domains of cognitive-communication that SLPs address in therapy (e.g. attention, memory, processing, executive function, word finding, reading comprehension, etc), and today’s post highlights attention.
Katherine and I believe in the importance of taking a two-pronged approach to therapy that involves focusing on both restorative and compensatory techniques. When working to restore function, the client and SLP work together on exercises targeting one or more domains with the goal of improving daily functioning. While a client is working toward attaining these functional goals, it is equally as important to develop and utilize compensatory strategies to manage the difficulties he or she is experiencing at that present moment. It is essential to tailor these techniques to each individual client and his or her needs, however there are some general strategies that can help anyone improve their attention.
Here are 5 tips to improve attention that you can start implementing today:
- Work in an environment that is not distracting. If your space is noisy, cluttered or there are other people around, your brain is working overtime to filter out all of these extraneous factors before it can even begin to help you focus on the task at hand. Clear your desk, turn off the TV or radio, put your phone away, and face away from the window. It can also help to ask others to give you some uninterrupted time to work.
- Complete one task at a time. Though you may be tempted to multi-task to get things done more quickly, splitting your attention tends to make you less efficient and more prone to errors. To improve your ability to check things off your to-do list, try to tackle them one at a time.
- Work when you are feeling your best. If you are tired, hungry or feeling stressed, your energy tank is already on its way to drained. Try to complete important or complicated tasks when you are feeling refreshed. Check out our recent blog post for a list of ideas of ways to engage in self-care to help you feel your best.
- Take breaks. “I just want to keep working on it until it’s done”. This is a sentence I hear frequently from clients, however when you are living with brain injury, it is important to take plenty of breaks before you run out of steam so your brain and body can refresh and reset.
- Remember to breathe. If you are feeling overwhelmed by difficulties with attention, take a moment to return to your breath. Taking several deep, cleansing breaths can help you slow down and anchor your mind in the present moment.
The common thread woven through all of these techniques is the importance of taking the time to nurture and support your brain so it can help you function at your best. If you have questions about any of the ideas listed here, or if you would like to learn more about managing life with brain injury, please feel free to contact us.