Why Can't I Focus Right Now!?

Dopamine can influence nerve cell behavior and decisions

Note:

This is the first method that was given in the "Ten Ways to Improve Yourself as a Teenager" blog.

Now, it is time to give you more in-depth information as to what dopamine does for the body, how it can be used and why controlling your dopamine levels throughout the day is so important.

Why Can't I Focus!?

You need something done but no matter how hard you try you can't seem to get any work done or focus! WHY!?

Well, that is the fine chemical of dopamine at its finest!

To start with, we should understand how dopamine influences the brain and how messing up your dopamine levels can negatively impact you.

There was this video called "Dopamine Loading is the EASIEST way to get ADDICTED to studying” by Matthew Smith and he describes what he does to easily focus on tasks that need to be done and keep that focus throughout the day.

He does this by emphasizing the idea of when and how he does his work. He would finish all of his work right in the morning. Why? This is surprisingly simple.

By reducing his intake of dopamine such as activities like scrolling, being on technology, mainly your phone, or playing games in the morning, he set a standard with his brain. He was telling his brain a couple things....

---

Benefits to Dopamine Control

By setting this work schedule he convinces his brain that finishing his work in the morning is easier, more efficient, and allows him to enjoy himself more.

How? Well, that uses the explanation of what dopamine is. Dopamine is known as the "feel good hormone" and causes us to get that adrenaline rush or 'feel good' after we complete or accomplish something.

Doesn't sound bad but this can also be what is distracting you so much. Your brain will now be looking for tasks or activities that receive as high or even higher amounts of dopamine.

So, if you're doing a task that is 'slower' or takes a lot of focus like reading, writing, or doing homework than it could be hard to focus because your brain isn't as interested and wants you to do something else.

When I mentioned that it taught his brain to enjoy himself more with less dopamine rewarding tasks, I was talking afterwards.

Have you ever been trying to play a game knowing you have schoolwork or something to do in the back of your head and when it comes back in your head you feel annoyed or upset or really unmotivated?

Well, by getting everything you need done you'll be able to focus easier on the things you do enjoy!

After you complete everything, you need to do in the morning have all the fun you want. Science shows that going to bed satisfied and happy has led to better quality sleep as well.

So, by controlling WHEN you do everything, you're improving your focus, efficiency, quality sleep, and enjoyment of activities all together.