You’ve got this: How can I build mental focus and strength

Dr Froswa’ Booker-Drew answers your questions, putting her years of experience and practice into the goal of solving those knotty problems that beset us, and assuring us: ‘you’ve got this’. If you’d like Froswa’ to look at your particular problem, email it to managingeditor@thebusinesswomanmedia.com.

Q: I feel like I’ve tried many different techniques to work on mental focus and strength — what are some “unconventional” / innovative ways I can work on mental focus and strength? K.S.

A: I am really hungry right now but I’m not sure what I want to eat.  I know that it needs to be something that equates to total bliss.  I bet you are asking as you read this, why is she describing her desire to eat and not focusing on what I’ve asked???!!!  Trust me on this, there is a correlation.

Food is important to our bodies and in my desire to stop the hunger pangs, I might grab something that tastes good but isn’t good for me.  It might be filling and yet, can later be seen on my thighs or manifest in a health challenge if I continuously eat in a way that is damaging to my body.  I’ve been told that you should never go shopping when you are hungry because you will pick up items that you will regret later.  The same correlation applies to our minds.  Just as we need food to fuel our bodies, we must be aware of what we allow our minds to feast on.

Three things:  1.  I think you must begin to examine what you are feeding your mind.  If you are feeding your brain television and media that does not inspire and elevate your thinking, your mind might be chomping on information that is not helpful in creating focus and strength.  I find when I limit the amount of television time especially negative programming that creates fear and confusion and use the time for activities I enjoy, my thinking changes. 2. Exploring your food choices is something else to consider.  If I am eating poorly often, I experience brain fog.  By no means do I want to pretend that I eat well all the time, every single day—I don’t.  I am trying to do better but I make it a point every morning to make healthy smoothies with kale and other greens.  I take vitamins.  I move around (even as I deal with 2 herniated discs) carefully but I know that staying active is important. 3.  When I think about how much my mind is picking up daily and all the multi-tasking, I have to create the space for reflection and relaxation.  If I don’t, I’ll dream about the craziest mess when I am asleep.  I have to allow my mind to move some of the mess of the day out so that I can sleep well so that I am prepared for the next day.  Sleep is critical to our mental success.  Sleep issues are real and can impact our focus.  Our bodies need time to rejuvenate and without it, we are setting ourselves up for more problems later.

I could give you a gazillion apps or tell you some game to play that can increase your focus but the reality is that if you are not doing the basic things I’ve listed, those tricks will be temporary and they don’t address the foundational issues that are often the cause for our inability to focus.  You don’t need an unconventional method, my friend.  Go back to the basics.  You. Got. This.