The science behind

FOCUS

We have partnered with UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center to provide you with these scientific facts. Click on an item below to expand and reveal more.

A Harvard University study of more than 15,000 people found that people are significantly more happy when their minds have been focused on what they’re doing; they are much less happy when their minds have been wandering.

Research by Barbara Fredrickson of the University of North Carolina suggests that experiencing positive emotions can help people focus on the big picture and not get distracted by minutiae.

Almost half of the time, people are thinking about something other than what they’re currently doing, ranging from 65 percent of the time while taking a shower to 50 percent while working to 10 percent while having sex.
A study of more than 1,000 children in New Zealand found that those who showed stronger powers of concentration and self-control as kids enjoyed better health and wealth, and fewer run-ins with the law, as adults, regardless of their social class.
People who are more attuned to other people’s facial expressions and body language show better social skills and fewer relationship problems.

HERE ARE 3 EXERCISES, PROVIDED BY UC BERKELEY'S GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER, TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW