If you play sport, you will understand the importance of concentration throughout a game. It is one skill that you need to home in on to help you better your performance. If this is something that you struggle with, this guide is here to offer some valuable advice. Below – are seven top tips that will help you improve your concentration, so you can become a force to be reckoned with in your chosen sport.
Eliminate Distractions
If you want to improve your concentration, you must try and eliminate distractions during your training. For example, if you usually play music in the background, this could distract you instead of motivating you. Turn the music off for one training session and see if it helps you improve. Sometimes, your friends may also accompany you to play a practice game of your chosen sport. Rather than focusing your attention on the sport, you are more likely to engage with your friends. If you find that you are easily distracted by your friends, it is better to train alone or with people you are not too familiar with. There are plenty of eliminating distraction tips online that you can seek inspiration from.
Develop Routines
If you want to block out both internal and external distractions, routines need to become your new best friend. Following a strict routine during your training or before you engage in your favourite sport can help you perform more consistently. It gives you goals to focus on, and you will find that your mind is less likely to shift to other distractions. Start by deciding what needs to be in your routine; this may include a warm-up. Layout the order of your routine and start putting it into practice. You may find it easier to give each step in your routine a time limit. The more you put your routine into practice, the more consistent you will become.
Evaluate Your Progress Daily
How do you know that your concentration skills are improving? It can be a difficult thing to keep track of. Therefore, it can help to keep a progress record to evaluate your progress daily. Keep a record of the things you need to improve your focus on and rate yourself out of 10 each day. It can be a great motivator, and it also acts as a gentle reminder of what you need to improve on. Don’t hesitate to make notes. For example, if you got distracted by some music during one of your training sessions, note this down – so you know that this is a distraction you need to try and avoid. Keeping track of your progress will help you become better in your chosen sport and give you personal goals to work towards.
Play Online Games In Your Spare Time
When you play online games, your brain must focus on problem-solving tasks to help you reach success. Although you may think that these games are only a good source of entertainment in your downtime, they can help you train your mind and allow you to improve your focus and concentration. You can find online casinos at the click of a button and start playing games at slots like this. Please note that some games are free to play, while others may require a small fee. One of the great things about online games is they also act as a good distraction before a game/tournament. They help you zone out from the outside world so you can focus your attention on one thing and calm your nerves.
Practice Mindfulness
Another great way to improve your concentration is to practice the art of mindfulness. Mindfulness allows you to become more aware of your actions and surroundings. You accept your actions and environment for what they are to prevent you from getting overwhelmed or overly reactive. There are plenty of mindfulness guides online that you can follow to help you practice. The key is to find a quiet room. Take a seat – so you feel calm and relaxed, and practice breathing in and out. Pay attention to your thoughts and once your mind starts wandering, bring it back to your breathing. Before you know it, you’ve begun your mindfulness journey – practicing getting your focus back to what matters.
Improve Your Sleep Schedule
Lack of sleep can have a drastic effect on your focus and attention. If you are struggling to get enough sleep every night, you will become more irritable, and you will find it difficult to focus your attention on one thing at a time. You should be aiming to get around 7-8 hours of sleep each night. This gives your body time to repair itself, so you can wake up feeling re-energized and ready to take on the day with a clear and positive mindset. If you are someone who struggles to get into a good sleep routine, take a look at some example bedtime routines online to get you started. The idea is you want to find a routine that gets you in the right frame of mind to sleep. Think of activities that will relax you, like reading or taking a hot bath.
Take Small Breaks When Training
When you are training for your favourite sport, it can be quite gruelling. You may put yourself through long training sessions that last for hours on end. Although training is essential if you want to get better at your chosen sport, it can hinder your concentration if you are overworking yourself. The second that you start to feel unmotivated and irritable – is a sign that you need to give yourself a small break. Taking time out to have small, frequent breaks will re-shift your focus and help you concentrate more as time goes on. It doesn’t have to be a long break, but even a quick five minutes to listen to some music or go for a quiet walk can be enough to get you in a better mindset.
