Focus

[ARTZ]

ok ,,the older i get the dumber I was..and while I am trying to learn new things I'm finding it incredibly hard to focus...

maybe its A.D.D or maybe its the kids constantly trying to steal my attention..

I need to find a way to focus more on what I am doing for extended periods of time...

I find smoking has always helped me focus for a short amount of time but I really hate smoking so don't want to use it as a crutch..unfortunately old habits die hard..

so...any one got any tips, or ideas...I know turning the TV off is definatly one, and I really should switch off the f**king facebook too...

i remember reading some notes here on excercise and the key to it being to enjoy what you are doing...i guess its the same with study as i always found when i was focused on building my skyline I found it easy to read through pages and pages of information here...which is hard because i really dislike reading as well....I find talking things out has always been an easier way for me to learn...unfortunately it can be hard to find intelligent people to talk to as they are usually busy doing intelligent things...so reading is where its at...

anyway...I've lost focus now so I will leave it to the SAU geniuses to diagnose my brain....

[White GTS-T]

Caffeine.

[ARTZ]

Oh yeah forgot to mention, can only handle a couple.of strong cups of caffeine before I develop a twitch....

[White GTS-T]

Yep, that's how you know it's working. A couple more cups should do the trick.

[ARTZ]

ahhh I see....Thanks Tim

[rosella]

Simply avoid the caffiene...it has too many long term affects.

Take time out to relax...remember Achimedes discovered about weight by immersing himself in his bath. Volume has a relationship to weight and the water displacement was the perfect way, but I digress.

Try taking some known herbs that can benefit memory.

For instance, gotu kola has been used as a medicine for thousands of years in India and China for improving mental function amongst other things.

Another is mate - Yerba mate is a central nervous system stimulant containing caffeine, but it also contains a number of other nutrients, including antioxidants, amino acids, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals. Yerba mate is touted as being a safe and effective nervous system stimulant with few side effects and many health benefits. One of the health benefits is it enhances your ability to focus. Researchers have found that the minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, animo acids and polphenols found in the beverage have a balancing effect on the caffeine it contains. Users report increased mental energy, clarity and focus, but they also say that yerba mate doesn't cause any of the uncomfortable side effects associated with drinking caffeinated beverages, such as headaches, stomach aches and jitters. I work in front of a computer each day programming and found it to be of benefit.

Here's a link for more info about improving your ability to focus. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/6-brain-boosting-herbs-to-improve-your-productivity.html

Also get some fresh air and take some time away from distractions in your life as well.

Hope these help!

[GTR-N1]

Research...

* Phosphatidyl Serine amino acid > short term memory & cognition

* Vitamin B3 200mg+ in a complex > focus via blood sugar & utilisation of serotonin & contribution to prostaglandin E1

* Ginkgo Biloba > cranial blood supply

* Gotu Kola as mentioned by Russell

* Inositol > myelin sheath integrity

* Omega-3 Fish Oil > DHA & EPA

* l-Tyrosine > short term memory via dopamine support

* Physical activity as downtime

* Sweets and alcohol minimised

* Acetyl-l-Carnitine + Choline (made by Orthoplex) > Acetylcholine for focus and short term memory

my 2c