Foods to Help with Focus

Do you find it difficult to concentrate on your work? Ever go to read your Bible and it seems ever random though you have decided to come to mind at that moment.  Or how about deciding to pick up your phone to check your schedule and the latest news headline grabs your attention instead.  It may feel as if your ability to concentrate and focus is dwindling; however, a healthy diet can help you overcome concentrating difficulties.  

What Should I Eat to Increase My Focus?

Food and the nutrients they provide are the building blocks of our bodies and minds. Properly fueling your body is the perfect way to make sure your mind is ready to take on the day. Although research linking diet and dementia is still in its infancy, there are a few important relationships between nutrients and brain health that are worth exploring, including which foods can help you with focus. Having a nourishing, well rounded diet gives our brain the best chance of avoiding disease

Blueberries

Eating these tasty berries will not turn you into Violet Beauregarde, thankfully. But studies have shown that blueberries do contain antioxidants that can boost memory and improve focus for hours after eating them. In addition, research suggest that eating blueberries may help protect the brain from the damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. 

Leafy Green Vegetables

Similar to berries, leafy green vegetables also help fight dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Leafy green vegetables are also full of B-vitamins, which are “proven to help your memory, focus, and overall brain health and power”. They also contain folic acid, which improves your mental clarity.  Antioxidants, carotenoids, and B-vitamins. All of these individually and combined help with memory and focus, as well as protecting your brain and giving it the nutrients it needs to replenish after a long day of work.

Green Tea

Sipping this delicious beverage will give you a boost of caffeine and L-Theanine. When caffeine and L-Theanine are combined, they work together to improve alertness and focus without the dreaded crash that typically comes a few hours later.

Avocados

It’s no wonder social media influencers are preaching the benefits of avocados. Filled with good fats and fiber, they enhance blood flow which helps to fire up brain cells. In addition, avocados helps other things flows as well. Better blood flow means a healthier and happier brain.

Fish Really is Brain Food

A protein source linked to a great brain boost is fish — rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are key for brain health.Consuming a serving of fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, or sardines, has been shown to increase memory, mental performance, and lessen issues such as mood swings and fatigue. This is all thanks to omega-3 fatty acids, something that is abundant in several types of fish.

Water

Your entire body is made up of water, and it is no surprise that it depends on it. Drinking enough water daily can aid in memory, focus, creativity and brain health. Be sure to find your happy range of daily water intake.

Dark Chocolate

Before you get carried away with this tasty brain food, it only takes a small serving of dark chocolate daily to reap the benefits. Caffeine and magnesium combine in this decadent treat to stimulate your brain and release the feel-good hormones, endorphins and serotonin. Both give you energy, focus, and a positive mood. Finally, dark chocolate also contains flavonoids which concentrate in areas of the brain linked to learning and memory. These substances, according to researchers, may aid in enhance memory and decrease age-related mental deterioration.

Flax Seed

These tiny seeds are filled with goodness such as magnesium, B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and even fiber. Grinding the seeds gives your body the ability to digest them fully and to benefit from the mental clarity and focus that comes from them.

Nuts

Nuts also contain a number of health benefits. Protein, vitamin E, and amino acids are packed into a one-ounce serving, giving you less cognitive decline and better focus throughout your day.

Gum

Researchers have proved that chewing gum may also improve attention, alertness, and learning.  Chewing gum keeps your alert which promotes physiological arousal. Improved attention, learning, memory, and performance. Chewing gum also reduces the "stress hormone" (e.g., cortisol), resulting in less stress and hence improved brain functioning and performance. Finally, chewing gum may improve performance through increasing blood flow and the availability of glucose (i.e., sugar) in the brain.]

What Else Can Help with Focus?

Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes the above brain boosting foods may help you maintain peak memory, concentration, and focus which will result in a healthy brain. Some may also reduce the risk of stroke and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Some of the foods contain compounds such as healthful fatty acids, which can help improve the structure of brain cells called neurons. In order to avoid cognitive decline and difficulty focusing, it is also important to avoid food that may damage brain cell structures, such as sugars and saturated fats, may damage brain cell structures. 

While your diet is importing to helping you focus it is only part of the equation. It is also important to exercise and maintain your spiritual health. With regards to exercise, it boosts the flow of blood to the brain. Exercise also rids the body of pollutants and distributes oxygen throughout your system. This means that there are more nutrients from the food you eat available for your cells which in turn means better cognitive function.

About the Author: 

Corine Williams, Ph.D. is Clinical Psychologist that is currently seeing clients in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. You can find out more about her practice by visiting www.therapyforchristians.com/corinewilliams. In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Williams is also passionate about writing books and designing merchandise that educate, uplift, and normalize mental health subject in the Christian community. You can find out more about her at www.booksbycorine.com or by visiting her amazon profile here: https://www.amazon.com/Corine-Hyman/e/B00AWZ5FL2

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