Why are we finding increasingly difficult to concentrate?

In recent decades, researchers have found that the average time people remain focused on an activity has fallen from 2.5 minutes to just 40 seconds. Given that any complex task requires more than half a minute, these constant shifts in focus mean that many activities are left half-finished.

A lack of concentration is one of the challenges facing today’s society, characterised by digital hyperconnectivity and excessive screen use, which have multiplied distractions. As a result, we have become accustomed to carrying out several tasks at the same time and jumping from one stimulus to another. We might, for example, write an email whilst replying to a WhatsApp message or watch television whilst scrolling through social media.

But, far from being a virtue, multitasking masks a reduced ability to sustain attention and a constant search for immediate reward that weakens some of our brain’s fundamental functions.

What causes the lack of concentration brought about by technology?

Every digital stimulus triggers a small release of dopamine, which the brain interprets as a reward. Over time, this mechanism reinforces the constant search for novelty and means that deep, sustained attention is exercised less and less.

Thus, our brain becomes accustomed to continuous, fragmented stimulation, chaining one piece of content after another with hardly any breaks, as if it were popcorn popping in a pan.

Indeed, the term popcorn brain is now used to describe “the psychological condition in which someone cannot keep their mind and attention fixed on anything, believed to be caused by spending too much time on social media”, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary.

Some researchers suggest that difficulty concentrating could also be linked to multitasking. Every time we interrupt, for example, a study or work session to check our mobile phone, reply to a message or browse social media, our attention is diverted from the main task. When we return to it, the brain has to refocus, a process that consumes more cognitive resources, increases mental effort and makes it harder to maintain sustained attention.

Other causes of fragmented attention

Although digital distractions are at the forefront of growing concerns about a lack of concentration, there are many other factors that can affect our ability to pay attention. These include:

• Tiredness.
• Recurring worries or thoughts.
• Anxiety.
• A lack of motivation towards a task.

However, a lack of concentration is not always a problem. In certain circumstances, it can act as a signal that our brain needs to attend to something it considers a priority, whether it be a worry, an urgent situation or a need for rest. In this sense, a shift in attention can be interpreted as a mechanism for adaptation to our environment and to our physical or emotional needs.

Signs and cognitive consequences of ‘popcorn brain’

Popcorn brain syndrome affects people of all ages, although researchers and health professionals are particularly concerned about the consequences it may have for children.

In adults, digital overstimulation is linked to a reduced ability to concentrate, greater difficulty in retaining information, and increased mental fatigue, stress and sleep disturbances. Some research also warns that excessive and sustained digital exposure may accelerate cognitive decline and contribute to the onset of related conditions.

Other signs associated with this mental state include:

• Constantly checking one’s phone for no apparent reason.
• Feeling anxious when there is no constant stimulation.
• Difficulty tolerating periods of waiting.
• Restlessness when carrying out activities that require prolonged concentration.

Psychologists and researchers Mary K. Rothbart and Michael Posner, in their article The Developing Brain in a World of Multitasking, point out that when fragmented attention persists over time, some of our mental abilities are weakened.

On the one hand, our ability to concentrate for sustained periods diminishes. Our capacity to process information in depth and maintain focus on a single task is also reduced. As a result, the neurological impact of excessive screen time makes it harder to sustain attention, increasing the likelihood of making mistakes and contributing to a sense of mental exhaustion.

Yes to breaks, but you need to know how to take them

Breaks whilst working or during activities that require concentration are necessary, as they improve cognitive function and prevent burnout. The brain needs moments to switch off in order to consolidate memories and process the information it has received. However, the key lies in knowing how to take them.

That said, we must not confuse a break with distraction. As an increasing number of studies suggest, using screens passively, such as scrolling through social media, does not promote restful relaxation. On the contrary, these activities continue to send stimuli to the brain and prevent it from properly consolidating what has been learnt.

Training the mind to improve concentration

In most cases, it is possible to undertake a digital detox and build a healthier, more mindful relationship with technology. Here are some strategies that can help you regain your focus:

• Set limits: the WHO recommends a maximum of one hour’s screen time per day for children under five. For adults, it is advisable to make the most of time spent on digital devices and to engage in activities away from screens.
• Find strategies: whether that means leaving your phone in another room or using apps to aid concentration and set time limits.
• Engage in analogue activities: reading, practising meditation, spending time in nature or doing sport positively stimulates the mind and promotes concentration.
• Leave room for boredom: an overstimulated mind becomes accustomed to a fast pace, so moments of silence or waiting can cause anxiety. Reducing environmental stimuli helps to restore presence of mind and focus.
• Hide distractions during long tasks: keeping your mobile phone or any other distractions out of reach can help you maintain focus on the task at hand.

If a lack of concentration masks other, more serious underlying conditions or addictive behaviour, it is advisable to consult a specialist to address the issue appropriately.