Make a List

制定计划

We often have trouble paying attention to one thing because our brain wants to drift off to think about something else. When you’re supposed to be writing your history paper, for example, your brain may want to start worrying about a math test that’s coming up.You should get into the habit of making a daily task list. Then prioritize your list, in the order that you prefer. By writing down all the things you need to do, you gain a sense of control of your day.

我们常常很难专注于一件事，因为我们的大脑会神游到另一件事上。比如，有时你要写历史课论文而你的大脑会开始担心临近的数学考试。你应该养成制定每日计划的习惯，然后再按照你喜欢的顺序排出先后。通过写下你该完成的所有事情，你会获得一种能自我控制的感觉。

Meditate¹

冥想

If you think about it, meditation² might seem like the opposite of paying attention. One objective of meditation is to clear the mind, but another element of meditation is inward peace. This means that the act of meditating³ is actually the act of training the brain to avoid distractions⁴. And remember, you don't have to become an expert or obsessive⁵ meditator⁶. Just take some time every day to go through a brief meditation exercise.

细细一想，冥想似乎与集中注意力背道而驰。冥想的一个目的是使大脑思维清晰，另一个目的则是达到内在的平静。这就意味着冥想事实上可以锻炼大脑集中注意力。但要记住，你不必成为一个冥想专家，也不必过度痴迷于冥想。只需要每天花上一点时间进行一个简单的冥想练习。

Sleep More

睡眠充足

Studies show that people who sleep fewer than eight hours a night for a prolonged period of time have slower response systems and more difficulty recalling information. In fact, even minor⁷ restrictions⁸ in your sleep patterns can affect your academic performance in a bad way.

研究表明长期处于睡眠时间少于8小时的人反应较迟钝，记忆力也会受损。实际上，即使是少睡一点点也能给你的学术表现带来负面影响。

Eat Healthier Foods

健康饮食

Foods that are high in fat and sugar might give you a temporary burst of energy, but that energy is soon followed by a crash. Once your body burns up the rush of nutrient-deprived, over-processed foods, you will start to feel groggy⁹ and lethargic¹⁰.

高脂高糖的食物可能可以暂时让你补充大量能量，但是这些能量会很快被消耗完。一旦你的身体消化了这些没营养的过度加工食物，你就会昏昏欲睡。

Reduce Screen Time

减少“屏幕时间”

Scientists are just beginning to study the relationship between attention spans and screen times, but one thing is certain: many researchers and education specialists advise parents to limit screen time while they gain a fuller understanding of the effects of bright lights and electronic screens.

尽管科学家才开始初步研究注意力持续时间与面对屏幕时间的关系，但是有一点可以确定：许多研究者和教育专家在他们更清晰地知道强光与电子屏幕所产生的影响后都建议家长控制孩子接触电子屏幕的时间。

Join a Team

加入团体活动

At least one study has shown that concentration and academic skills improve for students who participate in team sports. It could be that being active is helpful in the same way that meditation works. Participating in a sport trains your brain to concentrate on specific tasks, and shut out thoughts that interfere¹¹ with your performance.

有不止一项研究显示参与体育活动的学生在注意力和学业技能上都有进步。很可能保持活跃与冥想起着同样有益的作用。参加体育活动可以锻炼你的大脑，使其专注于某项活动，并屏蔽掉会影响你表现的想法。

Just Be Active

保持活跃

There are also studies that show any amount of physical activity can improve concentration. Simply walking for twenty minutes before reading a book may boost your ability to pay attention longer. This may be a result of relaxing your brain in preparation for the task at hand.

也有研究表明肢体上的任何活动都会改善你的注意力。仅仅是阅读前步行20分钟也有可能让你的注意力集中更长时间。这个结果可能是因为大脑得到放松能为手边的任务做准备。

Practice Paying Attention

练习保持注意力

With practice, you can teach your mind a little discipline. One thing you should try to determine is what is really distracting you. Pick a passage to read that you normally would not read (unless forced). It could be anything from a political report or an instruction manual. Start the stopwatch and begin reading. Try to concentrate, but stop yourself as soon as you feel your mind beginning to wander.Write down what it was that distracted you. Do this five times and analyze¹² the results. Do you see a pattern?

通过练习，你可能让你的头脑学会“纪律”。你应该判断出到底是什么使你分神。找一篇你平常只有被强迫时才会看的文章，可以是政治报告、指导手册或者任何东西。按下秒表，开始阅读。试着集中注意力，一旦感到自己开始神游，立刻停止阅读，写下到底是什么使你分神。这样反复5次并分析结果。你是不是已经看出什么端倪了？