If you can't read this headline without getting distracted, try the ‘Take Five' method for better focus
It's no wonder that attention spans have dwindled in the age of information overload, with news, videos, notifications and ads constantly competing for our time.
For example, the average attention span on a screen dropped from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to just 47 seconds in recent years, one researcher found.
Advertisement
4 Many people have short attention spans because they are stressed or anxious.
David L/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation are among the top reasons for a short attention span, according to a new survey of 1,000 US adults commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.
These findings don't surprise Dr. Evita Singh, a psychiatrist with Ohio State's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.
Advertisement
When her patients express concern about their ability to focus, 'there's a good chance that it ends up being because they're so stressed out or they're anxious.'
To help them easily remember how to improve their attention span and overall focus, Singh developed a tool called 'Take Five.'
4 Dr. Evita Singh, a psychiatrist with Ohio State's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, developed the 'Take Five' method for better focus.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Advertisement
T — Take breaks often.
A — Actively engage in just one task at hand.
K — Keep distractions to a minimum.
E — Eliminate multitasking.
Five — Spend five minutes refocusing with a small workout, mindfulness or an enjoyable activity.
'Sometimes these small adjustments can go a long way in daily life,' Singh told The Post.
She encourages aiming for a five- to 10-minute tech break at least once an hour, especially if you're aimlessly scrolling through social media.
Digital devices are a big source of distraction and enable multitasking, which Singh stresses can be detrimental to attention spans.
Advertisement
4 Singh recommends taking a five- to 10-minute tech break at least once an hour, especially if you're aimlessly scrolling through social media.
simona – stock.adobe.com
Research suggests that the brain isn't well-suited to process several streams of information at once. The result is typically decreased focus, increased distractibility and reduced cognitive performance.
'When people are multitasking, when they have so many things in their mind that they're thinking about, they can get exhausted,' Singh explained. 'And then it's really hard to enjoy things, which can then lead to depression or anxiety.'
Surprisingly, 25% of the respondents to the Ohio State survey said they don't have trouble with their attention span.
4 A man is shown participating in 'Take Five,' a re-centering technique that includes journaling and helps him stay focused.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Not that short attention spans are all bad.
'At times when there is just way too much information to sort through, a shorter attention span may help an individual move through this information faster,' Singh said.
'However, the concern is about how much they are actually getting out of the information to then move forward with it.'
Advertisement
Singh imagines that attention spans will continue to shrink, noting the trend towards shorter videos to fill the need for quick, easily digestible content. She hopes 'Take Five' helps people train their brains to focus better.
If the method is not a good fit or a lack of focus is affecting your daily life, Singh recommends seeking help from a mental health professional.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
3 days ago
- Axios
Off-the-shelf vaccine shows success against deadly cancers
An experimental vaccine targeting one of the most common genetic drivers of hard-to-treat pancreatic and colorectal cancers prevented their recurrence, raising hopes for an "off the shelf" treatment that can train the immune system to attack malignancies. Why it matters: If shown effective in further trials, the vaccine could become a particularly important tool in staving off the return of pancreatic cancer, which sees roughly 80% of surgically removed tumors recur within five years. What they're saying:"This was a trial all of us in the medical oncology world have been waiting for," said Tracy Proverbs-Singh, an oncologist at Hackensack Meridian's John Theurer Cancer Center. "We see these patients for five years, we see the recurrences, we have to re-treat them, and it's devastating. And after we finish chemo, there's not a lot we can do." Go deeper: The peptide vaccine targets the KRAS mutation that occurs in roughly 90% of pancreatic cancers and half of colorectal cancers. Researchers administered the shot, called ELI-002 2P, to 25 patients who'd received conventional treatments but still had small amounts of cancer left in their bodies and were at high risk of relapse. Half of patients had no relapse by 16.3 months, and median overall survival was 28.9 months — both exceeding historical norms, per the study in Nature Medicine. The greatest benefit was seen in patients who had strong T cell responses. At the 20-month mark, 17 of the 25 patients had strong immune responses with 11 of those patients having no recurrence and six having delayed recurrence. The latter successfully underwent further treatment. "All the 17 were still alive which is why we think there's optimistically, something real going on here, because that's much better than what we might have expected historically," said Zev Wainberg, co-director of the UCLA GI Oncology Program and one of the lead authors. Yes, but: Researchers do not yet understand why eight of the 23 patients did not develop a strong immune response as a result of the vaccine. Between the lines: Much of the enthusiasm around therapeutic cancer vaccines has centered on personalized mRNA technology. It is notable that researchers were able to use a non-personalized vaccine because it can be more easily developed at scale. "It's a big shot in the arm for the pancreatic cancer vaccine, which has been elusive in the context of us being able to get something that's effective in the early stages," said Madappa Kundranda, division chief for cancer medicine at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. Reality check: This is still a small Phase 1 trial and will require a more robust randomized controlled trial. Wainberg said the team has already completed such a trial and should have results back in 2026. What to watch: Pancreatic cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of around 13% in the U.S., could be treated very differently within the next two years as multiple new drugs targeting the same mutations are also developed.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Associated Press
Integrated Dermatology Welcomes Mohs Surgeon Dr. Partik Singh to Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 13, 2025-- Integrated Dermatology, the country's largest independent dermatology provider, proudly announces that Partik Singh, M.D., has joined the clinical team at Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village. Fellowship-trained Mohs and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Singh, who specializes in skin cancer treatment, dermatologic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, and general medical dermatology, is now serving patients in Westlake Village and surrounding communities across Southern California. At Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village, Dr. Singh works alongside lead partner physician Simone Montgomery, M.D., M.P.H., and three additional dermatologists to provide comprehensive medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology services. He specializes in skin cancer surgery, specifically Mohs micrographic surgery; reconstructive surgery for skin cancer; cosmetic dermatology; and general medical dermatology. His goal is to empower patients with high-quality treatment plans, education and compassionate support to ensure they feel confident and well informed. Dr. Singh earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University before completing his M.D. and M.B.A. at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and Kellogg School of Management. He served as chief resident during his dermatology residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center and completed a fellowship in micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology at the University of California, San Francisco. 'Dr. Singh's expertise in skin cancer surgery and his compassionate approach to patient care make him a tremendous asset to our team,' said Dr. Montgomery. 'We're excited to welcome him and confident that his skills will greatly enhance the care we provide to our patients and the community.' Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village offers a full range of dermatology services to help patients maintain healthy skin. The practice provides general dermatology, dermatologic surgery, cosmetic treatments, microneedling and Ultherapy. To learn more about Singh and the practice, visit About Integrated Dermatology Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., Integrated Dermatology is one of the largest providers of dermatology services, empowering doctors nationwide through practice acquisitions, physician partnerships and new practice formations. Founded in 2004, the company operates in 28 states and enables its dermatologists to maintain their medical autonomy. With a doctor-driven philosophy and focus on high-quality patient care, Integrated Dermatology provides unparalleled back-office support, including accounting, payroll, human resources and much more. The company also offers career opportunities for dermatologists seeking to join an established practice. For additional information, visit View source version on CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Jason Queen Chief of Staff [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GENERAL HEALTH HEALTH OTHER HEALTH SOURCE: Integrated Dermatology Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 08/13/2025 06:07 AM/DISC: 08/13/2025 06:07 AM
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Yahoo
8 Natural Ways to Add Electrolytes to Your Water, According to Registered Dietitians
Key Points Infusing water with natural electrolytes is an easy, healthy way to stay hydrated and avoid sugary drinks. Ingredients like lemon juice, salt, and coconut water add essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and sodium to your drink. Frozen fruits, herbal teas, and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup can enhance flavor while giving a gentle electrolyte plain water is one of the simplest ways to stay hydrated. But if you're looking for a boost, consider adding natural electrolytes to your water. Electrolytes, after all, aren't just found in sports drinks and powdered supplements. They're also naturally found in many whole ingredients. We spoke to two nutritionists who shared their favorite ways to add natural sources of electrolytes. They suggest you try them rather than sipping on sugary sports Our Expert Antonette Hardie, MS, RDN, LD, registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Nicole Roach, RD, CDN, CDCES, registered dietitian at Northwell Lenox Hill HospitalRelated: 12 Infused Water Ideas for Cool, Refreshing Hydration This Summer What Are Electrolytes Electrolytes are simply minerals with an electrical charge, and they play an important role in hydration. They regulate how water moves in and out of cells, thereby supporting overall fluid balance. What's more, electrolytes manage muscle contractions, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and other biological functions, making them a key component of a healthy diet. If you eat a generally balanced diet, you're likely getting all the electrolytes you need from food. But if you've lost a lot of fluids via sweating or vomiting, you may be looking for more sources. Salt Salt contains sodium and chloride, which are both electrolytes, per Antonette Hardie, MS, RDN, LD, registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. It also adds a bit of flavor, which works well with maple syrup or honey to create a salty-sweet taste. Tips for Using Use about 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, or table salt per 16 ounces of water, recommends Hardie. You can also combine salt with any of the options in this list. Fruit Juice For a boost of electrolytes, blend some fruit juice with your water. Orange juice and tart cherry juice are great options, as they offer electrolytes like magnesium and potassium. As a bonus, fruit juice contains vitamin C, a key nutrient for immune function. Tips for Using If you want to limit added sugars, use unsweetened or sugar-free fruit juice. This is especially ideal if you have diabetes or prediabetes, says Nicole Roach, RD, CDN, CDCES, registered dietitian at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. You can also make a homemade version, like our easy blender orange juice. Related: 12 Infused Water Ideas for Cool, Refreshing Hydration This Summer Coconut Water Coconut water is an abundant source of potassium, says Hardie. "It also has magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium," she adds. Additionally, the tropical drink provides antioxidants, which protect cells from damage. Tips for Using Coconut water is available with and without pulp; use the latter for a smoother concoction. Also, if you'd like to limit added sugars, choose a version without sweetener. Lemon or Lime Juice If you enjoy adding lemon or lime to your water, you're in luck, as the practice can add a dose of electrolytes. Citrus juice, including lemon or lime juice, contains electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, says Hardie. Tips for Using Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to your glass of water, being mindful of the seeds. Use fresh juice not bottled, for the best flavor. If the combination is too tart for your liking, stir in a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Related: These Seedless Lemons Are a Game Changer for Cooks Frozen Fruits or Vegetables Many fruits and vegetables contain electrolytes, and some work especially well when infused in water. For example, cucumbers contain a bit of potassium, says Roach. Meanwhile, watermelon offers electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium, according to Hardie. Tips for Using Freeze chunks of produce and use them as ice cubes. You can also add small pieces to ice cube trays if you prefer using water ice cubes. Related: How to Make Cucumber Water for a Spa Experience at Home Honey Honey offers some electrolytes, including "small amounts of potassium, magnesium, and calcium, " says Hardie. If antioxidants are at the top of mind, choose raw honey. Tips for Using Hardie recommends using 2 teaspoons of honey per 8 ounces of water. If needed, dissolve the honey in a small amount of warm water first, then mix it into cold water. Maple Syrup Though not a rich source of electrolytes, maple syrup may contain potassium, says Roach. Read the label carefully, use 100 percent maple syrup for the best quality and taste. Tips for Using According to Roach, maple syrup is low in sodium. Consider adding a sprinkle of salt when blending the ingredient to water. Herbal Teas Infuse water with herbal teas, as they often contain electrolytes. For example, hibiscus tea contains several electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, says Roach. Tips for Using Prepare ice cubes with additional tea to avoid diluting your drink. You can also use frozen fruits to make iced tea, which will add both electrolytes and flavor. Related: The 5 Best Herbal Teas for Sleep—and the Right Way to Brew Them Read the original article on Martha Stewart
