432. How to rebuild your attention span

Many of us feel that our attention spans are nothing like they used to be. So many of us can recall a time when we would read books for hours with ease, concentrate for hours, focus on a movie without going on our phone. But not any more.

In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind our dwindling attention spans, via the consumption of endless content, task switching, lack of sleep and more. But there’s hope - we also look at practical ways that we can all work on retraining our brains towards healthier, more sustainable and enjoyable focus.

We unpack:
• Why our attention spans have been eroded, particularly over the last 20 years
• How social media is designed to be like a slot machine
• The impact of ‘sleep debt’ and our attention spans
• Why the ‘switch-cost effect’ depletes our focus all the time
• How we can retrain our brains to focus

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

Our favourite sources:

https://time.com/6302294/why-you-cant-focus-anymore-and-what-to-do-about-it/

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/02/attention-span-focus-screens-apps-smartphones-social-media

https://thesciencesurvey.com/editorial/2024/02/12/the-problem-with-your-attention-span/

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(433)

434. "I lost my brother at 16 to suicide, it shouldn't have happened" ft. Ben West

TW: Discussions of suicide. This week, I'm joined by mental health campaigner Ben West for one of the most moving conversations we've ever had on the show. At 18, Ben lost his brother to suicide. He h...

29 Kesä 1h 2min

433. I'm ready to leave London

Giving you all an update on my life and my future in London. Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack...

27 Kesä 33min

431. Why a boring life is beautiful

What might be seen as a ‘boring’ life is often just a life that wouldn’t be as popular on Instagram. In a world that glamorises chaos, spontaneity and constant stimulation, we need to create lives tha...

22 Kesä 27min

430. The psychology of job interviews

When we go for a job interview, it can feel as if our entire existence is being judged. It can come down to the feeling of someone else getting to call the shots on whether we are intellectually compe...

18 Kesä 39min

429. The reality of chronic illness in your 20s ft. Nikki Lilly

Living with a chronic illness in your 20s can feel like carrying an invisible weight that nobody else can see. Beyond the hospital appointments, surgeries, medications and diagnoses, there is a hidden...

15 Kesä 1h 12min

428. The truth about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is one of the most famous theories in psychology. We've all seen the pyramid. We've all been told that before we can become our best selves, we need to climb through five l...

13 Kesä 23min

427. What to do when a 9-5 doesn't fulfil you?

Most of us will spend the majority of our adult lives working. So why does the traditional 9–5 leave so many people feeling exhausted, trapped, unfulfilled, or quietly wondering: is this really it? I...

11 Kesä 38min