Doctor’s Brutal Advice For Your BROKEN Attention Span
Vložit
- čas přidán 17. 05. 2024
- This is how you fix your attention span for good.
📞Contact Me
drjeevanfernando.com/
About me:
Dr Jeevan Fernando is a practicing medical doctor and a research author in addiction psychiatry. He is driven to use his knowledge of neuroscience, psychiatry and philosophy to empower people to reach their personal and professional potential.
Jeevan studied at University of Cambridge, achieving his medical qualification (MB BChir), and an MA in Physiology, Development & Neuroscience.
He has been published in multiple peer-reviewed research articles, in topics ranging from substance addictions to sleep behaviour.
Recent articles:
Fernando, J., & Ersche, K. D. (2023). Mismatch of Biological and Social Time in Cocaine-Addicted Men. European Addiction Research, 30(1), 23-31. doi.org/10.1159/000535219
Fernando, J., Stochl, J., & Ersche, K. D. (2022). Drug Use in Night Owls May Increase the Risk for Mental Health Problems. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15. www.frontiersin.org/articles/...
Fernando, J., Stochl, J., & Ersche, K. D. (2021). P.0338 Chronotype and area-specific deficits in mental health. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 53, S246. doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2...
Here's an exercise: when you watch a CZcams video, don't read the comments until it's over.
a'ight I'mma head out now
impossible lmao
Good advice brother 💯
I just read this comment while ad before start of the video was going on.😅
During breaks of this long 10m video I played few Apex matches, ate dinner, watched bits of other YT videos which are on break now and I proceeded to the comments after this video ended.
I think your advice is just bad, cause I did it
Summary:
when we start to do a task, we generally tend to get distractions because of stimuli which could be internal or external. This stimuli demands attention and nudges us to take action in that regard. This is in layman terms getting distracted from a task. So to control distractions from external stimuli, one can remove such objects from your sight and your reach like your mobile, video games, etc.
But the actual problem comes with internal stimuli aka our thoughts, as we cant just remove our brain and keep out of reach right. So Dr. Jeevan suggests 3 techniques, which i feel are doable and interesting. He is calling it Behavioral inhibition.
There are 3 techniques:
1. Keep a note of all the thoughts which demanded your attention and nudged you to act, especially the important ones. So that you can take care of them after your task is done.
2. MOST IMPORTANT AND TOUGHEST OF THE THREE IMO. Train outside work as well. Means try to train your mind not to act immediately after every stimuli. like for example: if you feel like eating something now, eat after a delay of 30mins. or If you dont wanna go to the gym, it is exactly when you must go to the gym.
3. Mindfulness. A kind of meditation. Just close your eyes and focus on your breath. Thoughts will arise, but just reshift your focus on to your breath. This will teach and train your mind to focus on one thing at a time.
you save my 10min
can you sum it up I've lost the attention on the first paragraph?
A ain't reading all that 🌚
Thank you so much for the summary
Thank you chat GPT 😂
You can reduce the frequency of intrusive thoughts by resting more, relaxing more, and addressing these thoughts at other times so they don't accumulate in your mind. This way you will have more free working memory which is basically attention. You shouldn't force your attention, you naturally pay attention to things that add value to you so you can finally grow. But if there are many things in your mind and you are used to accumulating them unfinished, then basically you are constantly in a hellish mental state. Spend your free time unwinding, relaxing, you will find new way of seeing things and your attention and memory will go up. You should trust me because this is basic logic.
Very thoughtful response my friend. I totally agree with high-quality rest for helping attention. I do think sometimes you have to stay disciplined and try to focus on things that you know are important but might not feel great at the start - it should then feel easier. I agree that you shouldn't force work that you really genuinely do not care about. Thanks for the comment :)
Over 10 mins? You’re kidding me.
Good one 😆
Good one ;)
That’s where the playback speed button comes in… As I type while the video is playing.
I'm either hyper focused and efficient or totally lost. There's no in between.
Find out what is common about the tasks/scenarios where you are hyperfocussed, and try to bring some of those elements into the tasks/scenarios where it is more difficult. You got this champ 🙏
My attention span so broken imma watch it later
fr
Comment again when you actually watch it ;)
@@doctorjeevanabout those intrusive distractions , most of the times if one pops up it doesn't just go away if I shrug it off once , it always there at the back of my mind enticing me and i end up committing it just to get my head clear...what is that ... Some weak will power stuff ....?
The hardest part is when you need to retain focus on something that is not stimulating or interesting. Studying a topic that is boring is extremely difficult to maintain focus on.
Yeah , i sometimes rather do nothing at all for hours ...just lying or walking instead of studying 😢
Can you make a video on stopping procrastination? I am sure we all be grateful for it. With your knowledge and expertise the video will be insightful!
Appreciate this a lot man 🙏🏽 I've made one already just check my channel but I'll be making more for sure in the future 👌🏼
check out dr.k's video on it, he's a doctor and psychiatrist too, he understands how mind works
@@cbazxy2697 Really? Then he would be the richest man in the world.
I hate how late I figured this out. It was until I learned about ACT techniques like Defusion, Expansion, and Experiential Acceptance that I was able to fully control my thoughts
Better late than never - some people never discover these things. I'm really glad you have :)
IMHO, one of the best videos about attentions spans out there.
Thanks a lot for the support bro 🙏
This is golden advice. Thanks for explaining it in such an easy to understand manner Jeevan.
I'm really glad it made sense buddy - will keep trying to help!
Thank you for this video. This is the best and simplest advice I’ve heard in a while!
Paused this video 23 times but got through it.
This video is soo useful, no fluff, all practical tips, I'll come back to it again and again. Thank you.
Thanks a lot for the support my friend :) I'll keep making videos to try my best to help 🙏🙏
Great job explaining it in a simple way. Loved the advices. Thanks a lot.
Thanks a lot for the support man - I'm going to keep going no matter what 🙏
having watched a lot of videos on this topic. I can say this is the best explanation of the problem and the best solution.
Best use of my 10 mins. You had my attention. Thank you
great stuff! and i actually feel kicked to try this! thanks!
This is exactly the thing I needed....as a premed student I study a lot and I knew the hologram of this entire thing through my speculations and experience but couldn't get it on stone.....this video did exactly what I needed.....thank you very much
I'm really glad this helped man - you got this 💪🏽 💯
I love this, you got the best connection points on how attention seeking behavior works.
Can you ever do a video that you do this same one but with a addressing it towards people with ADHD. Issues with poor memory, impulsive behavior and dopamine imbalance makes that graph even bigger even bigger im sure.
Thanks a lot for the support my friend 🙏 I'm going to keep making videos on this, and those concepts will be useful to people with and without ADHD. You got this champ, keep going and never limit the ideas of what you can do :)
Interesting, well done. Great job!
Thanks again for a well-explained vid Doc! Very helpful.
Appreciate this a lot my friend :)
Now that's the advice I needed to hear
Thank your for sharing this .
Glad to help 🙏🏽 You got this champ 💯
Literally Loved This. To learn more deep about something is to learn it's fundamentals 🧡
Thanks a lot my friend 🙏 The fundamentals are the real truth that you can't dispute
I realy apreciate this explanation. Thank you😊
💯 agreed Doc.
I've tried all this stuff and I can confirm from experience that he's absolutely right.
Very helpful video - thank you so much!
Glad to help 🙏🙏
Thank You! Incredibly useful and resourceful :3
Appreciate the support my friend 🙏
That's actually the best and the most practical advice I've heard. Thanks a ton
My man I'm glad you appreciate it 🙏🏽 I really don't like all the excess stuff most videos are about. Basics are all you really need. You got this bro.
@@doctorjeevan I'm a girl lol.And yea i agree with u. U actually want to help ppl and u care about them that's why your vids are really helpful.
Could I use this reply(screenshot ) in a video I am making on a similar topic? Thank you in advance.
Dr JEEvan saving generations.
We're the first generation to have technology like video games, porn, social media, tiktok, blue light after dark, etc...
We're like the first Guinea pigs, It's probably important for us to identify the side effects of these said technology and find possible solutions ASAP.
You're totally right my friend. The technology we have has accelerated so fast that it feels like we're all undergoing a massive social experiment. The best thing we can do is stay aware of ourselves and not forget our biological, psychological and social needs as natural organisms.
Overall great advice!
I've dealt with a lot of overthinking issues, which lead to depression and it also requires you to learn how to block unwanted (toxic) thoughts before they get to you.
I never considered it usable for better attention span, especially since some tasks are actually important, but always having a notepad is a great idea!
Thanks a lot for the support man! I'm glad this could connect the ideas for you - you got this my friend 🙏🙏
Best thing you discovered among us . Big fan ❤thanks
Thanks a lot for the support my friend, you got this 🙏🙏
Noting what your distractions were as training is my favorite part of this. Doctor's "brutal advice" matches what therapists say. There's training (e.g attention training technique of metacognitive therapy) and then there is what to do in the moment. Defocusing (allowing the thoughts is one way), Focusing (returning to focus each time) is another.
A big thing for me is anxiety associated with the task. My work tends to be technically complex, I often don't know exactly how long a job will take until I really dig into it, yet it also needs to be completed in a specific timeframe, and ironically I waste more of that limited time by being distracted to check social media etc. But on the other hand, if I'm doing something that is just for my own use, I will get completely engrossed in it and feel no need to "take a quick break to look at my phone". For example I recently built new screens for my windows (first time, had to learn step by step as I went), and did some maintenance on my yard that was mostly simple physical work - I had no problem staying on task with these things and felt motivated and satisfied once they were completed. I'm interested to hear your insights on this.
Thanks a lot for your comment bro. This is very interesting and actually something I went into on my videos about motivation and procrastination I made a little while ago. Check them out if you get the chance. Fear of the task is very important, and maybe because it is uncertain about how difficult the task for work will be, that creates the feeling that it is a threat. It's all just emotions and awareness is the first step to not acting in an emotional way.
I found this really helpful, applying this will make a big difference in my life. Was so clearly explained and demonstrated. You have a great communication style, thank you
I'm so grateful it could help 🙏 Thanks a lot for the support :)
As someone who was researching both mindfulness and attention span before this video is a banger! Super easy to understand and follow through
As someone who is both into mindfulness and attention span, I can say that he has a lack of plants, mandala-covers and neon-lights/salt-lamps, to draw more attention...
Thanks a lot for the support buddy 🙏🙏 Really appreciate this
You are most correct brother
As a 54yr old man, it's really weird to see this broken down this way and realize not everyone knows this already. What exactly are they teaching kids if not basic info like this.
Beautifully explained
Thanks a lot 🙏
Great video to the point!
Your time is precious my friend ;)
That is as brilliant. Perfectly clear. And useful. Thank you.
Thank you my friend - will keep trying to help 🙏🏽🙏🏽
@@doctorjeevan 🙂
Good advice, thank you
Thanks a lot man, glad it helped!
Best plug for meditation I’ve seen yet
More people need to 🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thanks for the comment bro
Another thing to improve focus is allow yourself a short 5 minute break every 40-45 minutes. This way you won't feel nearly as tired and overworked over a multiple hour work session but you also won't be wasting a bunch of time when you wanted to be working
Good idea that's definitely worth trying
Great explanation!
Thank you!!
Thanks so much for the support! :)
I keep my phone at a distance and use physical books to study and sometimes even cover it with something. Now, I know one more method behavioral inhibition. I think this one is better because it will become my habit over time.
You got this champ 🙏🙏
I found this quite good to focus on.
A lot of videos use music and b-roll; i get distracted so easily.
But just the plain whiteboard is easier to follow.
Thanks a lot for the support! This was my intention - something easily digestible without all the fast edits 🙏
Thank you doctor. Please make a video on what to eat and what not to eat to get maximum outcome.
Thanks for the feedback!
Thank You, now i clearly understood
I'm glad it helped bro thanks for the support 🙏
Explained very well.
Thank you champ 🙏
Many thanks dear doc
Appreciate you brother :)
Thank you very much 😊
I'm glad it helped - you got this!
Thanks for the tips i always lose focus when im supposed to be studying
You got this champ 💪🏽💯
thank you big bro. its great video
You got this little bro 🙏 You can do much more than you think ;)
6:22 you described meditation basically...
I did, but some people hate the idea of meditation, so they turn off whenever you mention it. Meditation is the way forward, and I want more people to do it too :)
Thanks Doctor ❤
Glad I could help 🙏🏽
You got this champ 💪🏽
Thank you.
Glad I could help :)
Thanks man the vedio was really helpfull
I'm glad brother 🙏
Just in time for my finals that I'll be working over the next couple weeks! Thanks
You got this champ 🙏
Thanks doctor❤
Glad it helped 🙏
Thanks for the vid!Ngl i hesitated clicking cus the thumbnail looked like those usual engagement-seeking(I understand,thumbnails r supposed to be eyepopping)educational yt vids that teach no proper info,(esp as this topic is popular nowadays).This really was no BS!❤
Thanks a lot for the support my friend - keep going man you got this 🙏🙏
Bro, You deserve more views, I am subscribing.
Thanks so much for the support bro 🙏🙏 I'll keep going and let's see what happens ;)
Thank you for this video. This is now making soo much sense, I really thought for me when I have improved focused I will not be able to get any thoughtsoutside my work I will be doing at that moment. but you saying I will get those destructive thoughts but I just need to tell myself that not now.
Yes bro, you'll always have thoughts that come up. You got this man keep going 🙏🙏🙏
You just made meditation makes sense. Thank you!
I'm so grateful that this helped - that's exactly what I was hoping to do. Most people don't explain why it actually works. You got this champ 🙏
Thanks doctor idk why but my mind or heart whtever it is feels right and thinks this can be done practically not a bunch of words that made confuse just the practical things again thank you
You got this champ 🙏 Keep it up!
Great stuff man. This is actually applicable and precise to the point. No nonsense bullshit.. Subscribed
Really appreciate this brother 🙏 Will keep going man
Best advice ever!
Thanks so much for the support my friend :)
This is high quality advice.
Thanks a lot my friend :)
5:23
me: I'm not gonna pay attention to intrusive thoughts.
the kid I forgot to pick up from daycare: 😶
Some intrustive thoughts are useful ;)
Or bring home from church with the other 3 kids and didn’t even notice until sitting down for Sunday dinner!😇😱😂
This is good!
Thanks a lot 🙏🙏
Where do I buy these mindfulness supplements? Thanks doc. Intuitive information, explained and illustrated in a way that makes sense and I can identify with. :)
Please also talk about the part of starting tasks, avoidance, internal discomforts. In this video, you've covered so much cool stuff in-depth about various stimuli and our responses. This made me wonder- what is the process that our brains/bodies go through when we have a task that we set out to do, and when the time comes, we become avoidant, quickly switch focus on something else or sit in this uncomfortable situation of knowing that we should do; yet, not willing to do that right away? I hope the question makes sense.
Hurdle. Brain thinks the energy demands aren't worth doing the task so well it changes focus for stimuli, thays what I think
Thanks a lot for the comment bro - If you check my latest video on motivation it literally talks about exactly what you were asking about. You got this 🙏🙏
Watch in 1.5x
If it helps go ahead
Dang! I wasnt even able to finish the whole video without getting distracted. I didn't read the comments, but i sat and thought about some things and then replayed the video.
You did the right thing bro. You persisted despite your distractions - exactly the right thing. Keep it up bro 🙏
Great tips (although I wouldn't call them brutal). I didn't think of writing distracting thoughts down. I would add that, like muscles, the mind needs rest, so plan in downtime to allow your mind to wander freely.
Great idea buddy and thanks a lot for the support :)
damn i loved it keep making such video
Thanks a lot for the support 🙏 I will
What about when you completely lose focus but with no stimuli? When you just sit there staring through whatever you were studying in complete silence both externally and internally.
i dont think you can lose focus(get distracted) and be silent both externally and internally , i.e not doing anything and not thinking anything. You got distracted for some purpose , not just magically for no apparent reason
Well in that case, you need metacognitive thinking and strategies.
- What am I studying?
- What have I learned before?
- What part of it do I not understand?
- Did I drink enough water?
- Do 10 pushups
- 5 minute break
I agree with @user-dh4sy4wo2o on this. When you are staring through something, you are likely thinking about something but often we aren't very good at tracking our thoughts unless you've practiced meditation for some time. It's definitely worth trying! You got this champ 🙏
I wish i could properly explain how much I like this video
I'm so grateful for this comment my friend 🙏🙏 You got this champ
Thankyou so much Brother 🙏🙏🙏🙏😊💯 10:05
Glad to help brother 🙏🙏
Dr Jeevan, we are animals!
I need to go to the toilet but I wont act on it.
Good stuff - this is how champions are made
Don't be daft, there's a difference between a need and a distraction. You'll end up with urinary tract issues, or worse if you're clogging up. But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at the doctors advice, that's how all doctors make their money so, fixing things you shouldn't have broken in the first place except for bad advice.
Ps. I'm a lawyer, come look for me when you need to sue.
wow impressive!!
Thanks a lot I hope it helped 🙏🙏
If you forget about a thought, how do you remember it so you can come back to that task at a later time?
That is, when you write it down, you are distracted from the original task and get further distracted by compose a way to write the distraction description, so you remember it. Such as you while writing down a note to study xyz, you remember a chapter on that is supposed to be important. So you go look up that reference and get distracted with that and so on.
I think I did pretty well, I made it all the way to the end.
Good job champ 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I’m babysitting my 4 and 5 year old grand babies. I’ve tried watching this 3X…had to take a walk around the block, help them change into swimsuits and got them out to the backyard to play in the water, drew pictures and made them into Japanese lanterns…now, I’m out to the mood to watch it
The babies are more important than the video. It's good that you are paying attention to them instead of me on a screen. Watch it when it's the right time.
Well this video was a distraction from my studies.
Just kidding, It was a really informative and useful video man, thanks.
Haha I tried my best for the 10min vid to be worth the time cost. Really appreciate the support 🙏🏽 ❤️
This is gonna blow up. It deserves to.
Not just this video, you in general. I don't know about any other video, but this was enough for me to acknowledge your knowledge and the quality of your content... With which, I am impressed
I really appreciate this support my friend 🙏 I'm trying to use whatever I know to help as many people as I can :) Your support is massively helpful to me
I just accidently do all of the three things you said in the video. I have a gut feeling that i should do that,not knowing a reasion why😅 and my attention span gets better.it clicked in for me after watching your video.thank you so much.btw, you’re such a handsome guy 😊.
Really appreciate the support my friend - keep going man you got this 🙏🙏
So 10 years of education to say focus and take notes. Brilliant!
thanks I liked the 1) and 3) strategies for internal
Appreciate it my friend, I'm glad it helped 🙏🏽
I was good for 4 minutes, then a fly sat on my window sill. So I’m gone now….
Meditation will help train this part of our brain/thought patterns.
Big facts 🙏
9:13 how long do you recommend each mindfulness session to last? How many minutes should I be focusing on my breathing and letting go of internal stimuli per mindfulness session.
Gradually step up, 1min, 3min, 5min, 10min, 20min - just start and keep going as you feel like you can 🙏
Nice
You got this champ
I'm not sure whether I can get to end of the video ;-)
Taylor knows the risk
the problem is that this video is more than 12 seconds long
Many apologies
Whoa, I watched this whole video
You can do much more than you think ;)
I got distracted while watching this video 6 times 😅
Just keep it up bro - distractions are natural
Gotta love watching a video about broken attention spans at 2x speed.
Did it sink in?
@@doctorjeevan it did. another tool to keep myself on track.