Focused Determined To Get Thru This Coronavirus Pandemic Or Not?

Did you know the Spanish flu, also known as the 1918 influenza pandemic, was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. Lasting from February 1918 to April 1920, it infected 500 million people – about a third of the world's population at the time – in four successive waves. You can read more about it here - Spanish Flu but the point is if they survived and so can we.

Remember: You Were Meant to Thrive, Not Just Survive

Matter of fact we are here today surviving and the folks in 1918 had a lot less technology, knowledge, process and systems then we have today. I truly believe our scientist will get us through this as they have for years. So while the numbers and the situation are not great, progress is being made and we have to do our part physically, that's right you have to learn What To Expect When You Go For Your COVID Vaccine Shot. This way you are knowledgeable and remove all the false fake fears.

Then it's time to mentally put yourself in the right place so you can continue to think short term and long term and mentally stay strong through the pandemic. So following are some tips and the plan to survive and make it work for you.

1. Get rid of distractions

First things first: You need to eliminate distractions. While you can’t do away with everything, you can make an effort to reduce or get rid of as many distractions as possible.
Start with the simple things like:

• moving to a quiet area
• turning off notifications on your phone or turning your phone off altogether
• closing the door to your office
• telling those around you not to distract you for a period of time
• closing out of programs or apps that aren’t essential on your computer

2. Coffee in small doses

Drinking coffee, or other caffeinated beverages, in small doses may have a positive impact on your ability to focus, according to a 2010 .
The key to taking advantage of caffeine’s cognitive-enhancing properties is to consume it in moderation. If you drink too much of it, you may end up feeling anxious or nervous, which generally reduces your ability to stay focused.

3. Practice the Pomodoro technique

Staying focused helps you get more done in less time. While that sounds simple enough, it’s not always easy to put into practice. So, the next time you’re wrestling with your attention span, try the This timing method helps you train your brain to stay on task for short periods of time. Here’s how it works:

• Set your timer for 25 minutes and get to work.
• When you the buzzer sounds, take a 5-minute break.
• Then, set the timer again and get back to work.
• Once you’ve done four rounds of this, you can take a longer break, approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

4. Put a lock on social media

If your idea of a break from work is checking Facebook or Instagram every 5 minutes, you may want to consider removing or blocking apps on social media.

There are several apps that work for your phone, tablet, or computer. In addition to social media, some of these distraction-busting programs also allow you to block online games, as well as apps and sites like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, Twitter, text messages, and even emails. Look them up.

5. Fuel your body

We all know what happens when “hanger” strikes. This dreaded combination of So, to keep your brain focused, your energy levels up, and your emotions on an even keel, make sure you don’t delay or skip meals.

Try to balance lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to stay fueled. Snack on fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, or seeds if you get hungry between meals, and be sure to keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water.

And, for an extra boost, Harvard Medical School says to include a few of these “best brain foods” in your day:

• green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli
• fatty fish such as salmon
• berries, like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries
• walnuts
• tea and coffee for the caffeine, in moderation.

6. Get enough sleep

It’s no secret that the majority of Americans are lacking in the sleep department. While a few nights of minimal sleep is okay, not getting enough sleep most nights of the week can negatively The recommended amount of sleep for adults aged 18 to 60 years old is 7 or more hours a night. Older adults may need up to 9 hours per night.

To boost your sleep health, try to:

• Switch off all electronic devices an hour before bedtime. The light from these devices can stimulate your brain and prevent you from feeling sleepy.
• Take time to wind down. Read a book, take a warm bath, listen to soothing music.
• Keep your bedroom cool and quiet. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an ideal temperature is between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C).

7. Set a SMART goal

If your lack of focus is a result of feeling overwhelmed by a complex project, try breaking it down into smaller parts and plugging the smaller steps into the SMART formula.
SMART stands for:

• Specific. What exactly needs to be done?
• Measurable. How will you track your progress?
• Achievable. Is it realistic? Can it be done by the deadline?
• Relevant. How does it fit with the overall plan or bigger goal?
• Timely. When does it need to be done?

When you take a large, complex project and break it down into smaller, bite-size tasks, you can boost your ability to concentrate and focus on specific tasks. That’s because you end up with goals that you actually feel like you can accomplish.

8. Be more mindful

Does your mind tend to wander away from where it’s supposed to be? Don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone. Distracted thinking is common, and something we all experience.
However, these short mental vacations often make it harder to focus on the task in front of you. That’s where According to the Mayo Clinic, being mindful means you can maintain moment-to-moment awareness of where you are and what you’re doing — which is great news when you’re trying to stay focused.

By being mindful and recognizing when your attention starts to drift, you can quickly bring your focus back to where it needs to be. Plus, you can actually train your brain to be more mindful by practicing breathing techniques, meditation, and mindful movement, such as yoga.

9. Make a to-do list

Let’s face it. The items on a to-do list can add up quickly. And, it can be challenging to find the motivation to accomplish everything you set out to do.

The good news? show that having a written plan of action can increase productivity.

After you make your list, choose two or three key tasks and put them at the top. Then rank the rest of the items in order of importance. This allows you to tackle urgent tasks when your brain is fresh and your energy levels are high.

10. Focus on similar tasks

Tired of jumping from one type of thinking to another (aka “multitasking”)? Then pick tasks that are similar, group them together, and do one at a time. This makes transitions smoother, and you may find that you get a lot more done by not jumping from one type of task to another.
Despite what you may think, multitasking is not more effective or efficient, especially when you’re struggling with staying focused. In fact, the American Psychological Association.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re dealing with too many competing priorities, lack of sleep, or just a simple dose of the “Mondays,” not being able to focus can really put a damper on your productivity.

That’s why it’s important to have a few simple tips and tricks, like the ones we described above, at your fingertips. Knowing how to zone in on what needs to get done can help you stay on track with your most important tasks each day.

Remember in the end we are all in this together which is how we all survive the Coronavirus Pandemic.

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