How to Concentrate Effectively Using 6 Simple Exercises

Concentration depends upon the ability to focus. Developing concentration is not an easy task as it depends upon a number of factors including the external environment and your own mindset. Concentration is basically concerned with disciplining your mind to improve focus. However, your mind will tend to resist your efforts as it loves its own freedom. By practicing 10 to 15 minutes of exercises to improve concentration on a daily basis, you will be able to train and discipline your mind, and hence improve your concentration

Take a book or a magazine and count the number of words in a single paragraph

Count them again to ensure that you have counted correctly. You can start off with one paragraph and as you get used to it, move on to counting words in two paragraphs. Then move on to counting words on the whole page. Make sure that you perform the counting mentally and only with your eyes without pointing your finger at each word. This is one of the simplest brain exercises to improve concentration.

Count backwards in your mind from 100 to 1

Another exercise to increase concentration is count backwards in your mind from hundred to one. Once you have mastered this, move on to counting backwards from hundred to one but this time skipping three numbers such as 100, 97, 94, 91, 88 etc.

Select an inspiring word

Select an inspiring word or just a simple sound and think about it in your mind, repeating it in your mind for 5 minutes. Once your mind has begun to concentrate on it easily, move on to 10 minutes of uninterrupted concentration.

Suppress your thoughts

Try to for at least 5 minutes. This appears pretty tough, but with regular practice, you can do it. Start off with one minute and gradually increase the length of time. Try your best to stay blank for 5 minutes without a single thought in your mind. This will take time, but gradually you will improve and thus your concentration will also excel.

Sit on a chair in an upright position

Sit on a chair in an upright position, keeping your back high. Now pressing one finger against your right nostril, take a long deep breath. Draw the breath in gently as you count to ten and expel the breath through the right nostril as you count to ten.

Repeat this exercise with the other nostril. This exercise should be repeated at least 20 times at each sitting.

Concentrate on objects

Take a small simple object such as a spoon, fork, cup or a glass. Now concentrate on one of these objects, watching it from all sides without any verbalization, that is, with no words in your mind. Just concentrate on watching the object closely without thinking about it.