Fall can be a difficult season of transition for many people. The loose schedule of summer, extended travel, and the general relaxed vibe of the season make it more challenging to jump back into the busyness that fall brings. The return to a routine often leads to a feeling of a scattered brain and a shorter attention span as the mind and body work to transition into a schedule. Here is what the experts have to say about how to ease back into the season.

Give Yourself Grace

It is normal to feel a little off as you return to a more structured lifestyle. It can take time for the brain to catch up with the increased demands that come with the end of summer and its looser routines.

Mental health experts advise you to give yourself grace as you make the transition. According to Erin Clifford, JD, MA, LPC, corporate wellness consultant and coach, you do not have to stay focused all day to be productive. Being focused "means being able to direct your attention to what matters, stay with a task or conversation for a reasonable stretch, notice when your mind wanders, and bring it back,” said Clifford. She goes on to explain that “You can take a break or respond to an interruption without losing the thread entirely.”

Keep in mind that it is not necessarily that your focus is completely broken if you find it difficult to concentrate after the summer. Instead, it is likely just out of practice. Getting back into a routine is a habit that may need to be relearned after the chill days of summer are over. Once you are back into the swing of things, your brain will get the message that it is time to start to focus.

It is important to resist the urge to fill every gap of time. A little mental boredom is actually healthy. Rather than reaching for your phone while waiting in line at the bank, try just letting your mind be still for a few minutes.

Another habit that can sabotage your ability to focus is switching tasks the second that you feel slightly overwhelmed. You may find yourself checking your email or social media account when a task starts to feel tedious. This habit signals your brain that it is time to stop any time that you feel the littlest bit of discomfort. It is better to try to power through these urges so that you build stamina in your focusing skills.

There are a lot of factors that could be playing into an inability to focus. Stress, poor sleep habits, and a schedule with little time to relax can all negatively impact the ability to concentrate.

Tips for Improving Your Focus

While it may take time for your normal state of attentiveness to return after the summer, there are steps that you can take to help this along. One easy strategy is to make your work environment more conducive to focusing by eliminating distractions. For example, keep your phone in another room while working so that you are not as tempted to reach for it as an avoidance strategy.

Successful professionals also recommend being purposeful about creating positive associations between your environment and productivity. This could be as easy as reaching for that afternoon cup of tea when you sit down to close out your workday. Your mind will soon associate the comfort of the tea with one last push to finish your tasks.

Some people also find it helpful to clear their brain of all of the clutter by writing things down. Rather than trying to keep a mental checklist of things to get done, try writing the to-dos on paper so they are not taking up space in your head.

It is also helpful to break tasks into smaller chunks. Instead of sitting down for two hours in front of the computer, give yourself an hour and then take a break. You will gradually build endurance.

Tasks that require more endurance are especially challenging. Experts recommend listening or reading with the goal of understanding rather than simply responding. Practicing intentional listening without having to try to offer a solution is a good way to build focus when you find it slipping.

The key is to notice when your mind starts to wander and to take steps to stop it in its tracks. The urge to go off track will fade if you keep pushing through that wall.
 
You will be back on track before you know it if you push through this time of transition with these intentional practices.

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