It’s not just the pressure you’re putting on yourself, but the different ways you’re expecting yourself to show up on a regular basis. Feeling Scatterbrained? The more time you spend being bombarded by unimportant trivia, the less time and brain space are being used to focus on important details. If you’ve been known as scatterbrained, dreamy, ditzy or just plain old vague, don’t give up on an orderly, calm life just yet. They live in the present moment which can cause them to forget future events or dates. ISFPs can be scatterbrained sometimes, since they can become easily distracted by something intriguing or exciting. All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Privacy Policy, If You’re Feeling Scatterbrained, Here Are 10 Reasons Why, 33 Symptoms Of Work Burnout + 10 Steps To Recover From It, How To Create And Stick To A Routine: A 5-Step Process. If you’re feeling scatterbrained, it might be because you’ve essentially fried your brain. Do not worry if your child daydreams or fidgets or talks a lot or is very active IT IS NORMAL!!! Anything that I don't have a file folder for or something like that, goes in the pile of papers. “This cognitive flexibility and adaptability is known as set shifting,” says Dr Hammerness. Financial freedom is truly invaluable, it provides opportunities to expand your knowledge and work freely toward those value-added tasks mentioned above. And if you can’t … you’re going to find yourself frustrated, overwhelmed and disorganised.”. You can ease up on your expectations of yourself and still achieve great things – and you’re not a failure if you need to drop a commitment or take more time to achieve your goals. What people need is a framework, a way of thinking about organisation.”. When feeling scatterbrained, actually, especially when feeling scatterbrained, see it as a sign that you need to realign your work with the direction that you want to go. “If you want to get better organised, you must learn to obey the stop sign.”. You may lose things frequently or forget important appointments. We’re a weird mix of switched-off and over-stimulated when we’re looking through social media, and it can confuse our minds. It is easy to get lost in future-tripping or dwelling in the past, but life happens in the HERE and NOW! Just chunks of half an hour for a task — and I don’t think we’re even doing that.”. Here are 11 things you can do to stop being absent minded and start to be attentive. Combat this: make the effort to plan out each day or week to ensure you have enough time to get everything done. If you’re using up all of your mental capacity to stress about one thing and replay it over and over again, no wonder you’re feeling ditsy and confused. Posted Jun 14, 2012 Take a walk around the block, stand up and stretch, or do some yoga stretches to clear the mind and prepare for a set shift. It will teach you to breath so that you will quell any anxious or ‘scatterbrained’ moments you … I love working in busy, noisy cafes because the background buzz keeps me going. As a scatterbrained person, you don’t see life as a straight path but instead, a series of concentric loops you’re always trying to find new ways to connect. And all your life, you’ve been urged to work on this area of your life. If you’re doing more than most people do, or more than you are used to doing, you need to look after yourself and stop putting so much pressure on yourself to achieve things. But really, there are many benefits to being one. You don’t need to smash your goals every single day, whatever the influencer on Instagram you follow is telling you. Take note of your stressful states and understand what sets them off so you are better able to control them. Being organised sounds like a boring concept aimed at creating the perfect worker bee. 3 Ways To Stop Feeling Scatter Brained If you're like me, you have scattered thoughts running through your head all day long. The secret is in understanding how the brain works and why some people are focused, attentive and organised, while others find those concepts difficult. Your mind is like an internet browser – too many tabs open at a time will make it crash. Our bodies and minds both benefit from routine. For example, when you walk in the door, put your keys in the same place. Refuse to let menial tasks take over your day. This page contains affiliate links. Once you’ve established emotional control, the next step is to learn to stay focused for greater lengths of time, as this is a fundamental building block of organisation. Combat this: limit how much time you spend on your phone! © Copyright A Conscious Rethink. Devote thinking time to important things, and reduce the amount of time you spend thinking about the things that don’t matter. It may seem innocent enough, but it can become quite destructive over time. The more you do it, the more you’ll come to associate it with rest – and the better you’ll start to sleep…. You can have all of the best intentions in the world, but if you don’t carry them out — or at least work on staying focused — it would be a major waste. This is really backwards and not productive at all, so it’s something to be aware of. It’s not as fun as coffee, we know, but it hydrates you, perks you up, and can activate neurons in your brain that can lead to more productive levels of work and functioning. He’s packaged up well-researched, recognised cognitive theories into his six Rules of Order, as a practical framework for a more orderly life. Harvard psychiatrist Dr Paul Hammerness says there is a way to move from chaos to calm and it has nothing to do with a great list-writing technique or alarms on your phone. Let’s get a plan and a timeline together and let’s do it. This is something most of us are guilty of at times! That’s just silly talk. This rule of order involves being able to effectively switch your focus from one task to another, handling the “news flash” or the last-minute change in plans. If you’ve been known as scatterbrained, dreamy, ditzy or just plain old vague, don’t give up on an orderly, calm life just yet. “Frenzy happens. I receive a commission if you choose to purchase anything after clicking on them. It’s related to taking control of your emotions so you can approach tasks in a calm, relaxed manner. The person who “shift sets” with skill is someone who is focused but also flexible, nimble and ready to move from one task to another if needed. “Those primary emotions — anxiety, sadness, anger — are the ones more likely to be associated with those who feel disorganised, distracted and overwhelmed,” he writes. But it’s really concerned with making more time in your life so you can do the things you find meaningful and constructive. Space things out so that your brain has time to catch up and reset for each new thing you’re focusing on. I made some walnut and epoxy coasters for this one and have a few new paintings. Sleep to rest and remember. This can really fire your brain up and get it stuck in a loop, which makes it hard to focus on other things or function as well as normal. It may be temptin… Stop down and say hi. Use these three techniques to get thoughts out of your head and into your most visited mobile / desktop application so you can stop forgetting your to-do's and take actionable steps towards your goals. These emotions are part of the human emotional palette. The WellBeing Team We can’t do it all! Sloppiness leads to error, they say, insisting instead that cleanliness is a requirement for success. I'll be there, stop down and say hi. This is a pretty simple one but it deserves a mention nonetheless! Add to that the fact that information is instantly and constantly accessible to us, and it’s no wonder you’re feeling overloaded and scatterbrained. Commit to turning your phone off and getting into bed at the same time every evening. One exercise Dr Hammerness gives his patients is to ask them to concentrate on one task for half an hour without becoming distracted by Facebook, tweets, cups of tea or email checking. Being present, goes beyond being polite by putting your phone down for lunch with a friend. Here’s what the latest research shows you can do to overcome depression, anxiety and other psychological problems, and enhance your... Pandemic obligations, challenges and optimism: the latest in mental health. I tell myself I'm going to do something but end up never doing it! Take the brave step of switching off, especially when you have to focus or during social times, such as dinner at home. You might feel like you’re always rushing out the door in the morning, which then means you feel stressed before you even arrive at work. I can’t stand working in a quiet room as my brain just zooms in on any background noise and starts trying to listen into conversations just because I can very vaguely hear something. Research shows that there are some benefits to a running mind. For example, have a designated spot for things and invest in a planner. There are a few steps I’ve taken to help myself stay more on top of things. Being able to “mould information” is the ability to access this store of useful information from recent days and problem-solve — to help you remember where you put your car keys, as a very simple example. “That’s a pretty small amount of time. Similar practices with my keys and a few other small essential items. “Learn that your response to frenzy is a choice and make a choice to lift the frenzy.”. When it comes to our memories we are literally "scatterbrained". Along with the Rules of Order are tips from co-author Margaret Moore, referred to as Coach Meg in the book, to apply the principles and help you steer a path through distractions to lead a less stressful life at home and at work. Take Breaks I know; you probably think you don't have time to take breaks, but what if it made you more focused and productive? 3. We’ve rounded up 10 common causes for feeling scatterbrained, as well as how to address and resolve these issues…. As someone who has never had less than 2 jobs at a time, and manages to fit in a social life, daily yoga practice, 8-mile daily walks, and somehow finds time to sleep – you need to slow down! Try to create a new habit of routine. Scatterbrains are often dismissed as disorganized or forgetful. After that you go to the next task. Make life changes that reduce your frenzy, such as changing jobs if possible. “It’s not that chaos won’t happen but that you’ll be able to better deal with it, to roll with the punches and to rise above difficult situations without making matters worse. Then look at your notes to see which thing has the I have a pile of papers in my room. Loading... Watch Queue Queue. “They end up scattering their attention and doing six things at once, but accomplishing very little, well, at the end of the day. It’s more like 5–10 minutes and then they are onto something different,” he says. Enjoy and appreciate all those moments along the way of getting organised, as well as the great view when you get there. Combat this: it doesn’t sound true, but a hot water with a lemon wedge squeezed in it can really perk you up! In his book Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life (Harvard Health Publications), co-written with personal coach Margaret Moore, Dr Hammerness says brain imaging provides new insights into how the brain works to organise our thoughts, actions and emotions. “They are efforts worth making, because when you have calmed your frenzy, you will have the opportunity to be better focused, less distracted and more organised,” writes Dr Hammerness. Fortunately, I've always naturally been a frugal man, so this hasn't been as big of an issue for me as it is for some people. Multi-tasking, or the ability to chat on the phone, check your daughter’s spelling all while keeping an eye on the stir-fry, is a time management myth. It’s about starting to create the life you want.”. Take a breath. 20 No Bullsh*t Simple Living Tips That Are Practical And Work! If you’re feeling easily overwhelmed, distant, or scatterbrained, it might be because you’re not setting yourself up in a good, helpful way. One suggestion is to limit time on the internet and social … But remember, life is full of surprises, and this state may not last long! Either way, if you’re wondering why you feel scatterbrained, check how much quality sleep you’ve been getting recently. For example, Dr Hammerness recommends “cognitive reappraisal” or taking a fresh look at a stressful situation and how it is making you feel. Schedule interruption-free zones at work. Here are some “strategies” that you can use when dealing with the inefficient – think of these as the beliefs, paradigms and values that will guide your behaviour-level actions (discussed in Tactics below). This then impacts your whole day and can leave you feeling even more out of it! written by After over a year of traveling, she’s settled in paradise and spends her days wandering around barefoot, practicing yoga and exploring new ways to work on her wellbeing. One of the reasons we feel burnt out or scatterbrained is overthinking. Help! It’s connecting the dots and learning to quiet the inner frenzy, to develop consistent and sustained focus, being able to flexibly adapt to new stimuli and mould information. Recognizing that you are scatterbrained is good. Maybe we feel rushed or forgetful, or we easily get overwhelmed and feel quite ditsy for some reason. Because that’s exactly how we can feel at times. Combat this: limit your internet usage and social media consumption and start saying no to things. “A lot of people will go with the latest gimmick, the latest automatic reminders, the new organiser,” says Dr Hammerness. You’ll end up feeling out of it and dazed or overwhelmed because you’re under so much pressure. If you’re the kind of person who loves a challenge, you need to take extra steps to ensure you’re still looking after yourself. Anxiety, sadness and anger happen. “Your ability to apply the cognitive brakes, to thoughtfully ‘inhibit’ an action that may lead down a rabbit hole of trouble and confusion, is the hallmark of an organised mind,” Dr Hammerness says in the book. You can’t expect to do those things with sophistication if you’re too scatterbrained to focus. It’s easier said than done, we know, but if you don’t plan how to spend your time, you might end up feeling rushed and anxious about completing tasks on time. Skip trial 1 … Doing a multitude of things at once is a skill that many people – women in particular – wear as a badge of honour. I’m not saying people should try to focus like a zombie or robot for two- or four-hour slots. In fact, it’s something you should be very proud of. He’s devised six key principles or “Rules of Order” to help you — and even the non-scatterbrained — become more effective. “The real goal of the organised mind is to be able to see the big picture and act on it, living from a higher plane of order,” writes Coach Meg. Meditation or other mindfulness practices have all been shown to decrease the symptoms associated with stress and anxiety. It’s different from your long-term memory, which keeps details about events, facts, trivia and people from years gone by. Putting everything in paper ( one paper) helps a lot. This rule of order relates to working memory, which is the store of useful information you’ve gathered over the past few days, hours or even minutes. Start a task and do not stop until you finish it . My family was supposed to leave Sweden for a vacation in Greece last week, but something about a virus … Continue reading "Mindful of being scatterbrained" Harvard psychiatrist Dr Paul Hammerness says there is a way to move from chaos to calm and it has nothing to do with a great list-writing technique or alarms on your phone. ,May 6, 2014. Keep a regular sleep schedule and aim for 7–8 hours a night. I think the first thing is to determine the reason that makes you scatterbrained. Set yourself a limit and stick to it – it might seem boring but it’s for the best! This is what worked for me. From the impacts of obligations to the science of optimism, the pandemic taught us a lot about ourselves and each... With its influx of Hollywood stars and the infiltration of remote workers, some people are saying that Byron Bay is... Opt into another list “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” – anyone else’s parents drum this into them during exam revision sessions? Our bodies and minds both benefit from routine. Slower is much better than giving up early because you took on too much, … It’s not only important to be able to focus but to also know when to switch your attention to something else, especially when you’re heading down a cul-de-sac. The more anxious you feel, the less productive you’ll be, and the longer it will take you to finish them anyway! Meditation and yoga are a great way of doing this – they allow your brain to rest a little bit and let go of some control, which will really help you stop overthinking as much. This impulse control may mean pausing before replying to a friend who has asked you for a favour, or calling it quits when a garage clean-up operation is taking twice as long as you anticipated and other chores await. Mindless scrolling has become such a habit for the majority of us. You can also monitor your phone usage and how much time you spend on it each day through your phone settings and different apps. You can get your outfit ready, have your coat and shoes by the door so you’re not racing around trying to find them in the morning, focus your mind before a presentation by going over your notes. Have a heart-to-head conversation so your mind and your emotions can work out a solution that is realistic and manageable. The brain pays attention to things that are interesting, that are changing, that are exciting, that are visual,” says Dr Hammerness. “They would do far better to focus even just for half an hour.”. Start and finish a task before you move on to the next one. It’s all you need to take steps towards accomplishing your goals. Life feels rushed, stressful and out of control, no matter how many lists we write or time management tools we try. We leave a trail of missing car keys, forgotten appointments and half-finished projects as we veer from one crisis to the next. Here’s a quick exercise you can do to fix scatterbrained thinking . Notice where you are, how you feel, your surroundings and just be, for a short while every day. “I just don’t see why those would provide lasting change. In one study, fitter over-55s had hippocampuses that were 35–40 per cent greater in mass than sedentary individuals. But the good news is they can be checked and handled.”. “We talk about being flexible, about being able to shift your focus, so if an important phone call comes during a meeting, I wouldn’t call it multi-tasking if you deal with that,” he says. If I’m in the wrong kind of environment, I cannot focus and I get nothing done, which makes me frustrated and irritable and often makes me feel scatterbrained and out of it. Every day he sees patients, both children and adults, who have this disorder and other organisational difficulties. It also affects our quality of sleep, which, as we now know, can have a huge knock-on effect…. If you often feel ditsy and all over the place, or quite erratic or forgetful, you might be too caffeinated. “Do adults really need a phone on, during a family meal or during a meeting? Here’s what we found about it. And as for the shiny mobile gadgets that scream “look at me, look at me” – there’s a simple, speedy solution. There’s no need to be ashamed of being scatterbrained. This one is similar to above, but is really about stretching yourself too thin. Powerful feelings, such as being stressed, angry or sad, can cloud your thinking brain, hampering your ability to reason effectively. Combat this: set yourself a bedtime and stick to it – it’s not just for little kids! Set goals for attention. You need to break it down to the essentials if you want to learn how to not get distracted. Lucy is a travel and wellness writer currently based in Gili Air, a tiny Indonesian island. It sounds intense but it’s very common – especially these days, when we’re either working 7 jobs, pushing ourselves to get a promotion before we turn 25, or comparing ourselves to everyone we see on social media. It’s the first step in training your brain to better manage impulses. “But shift your focus and handle that fully, then get back to what you’re doing. “It’s the myth of multi-tasking, which is a horrible idea that people really embrace,” says Dr Hammerness. “People are surprised to find they are not doing anything for half an hour. WellBeing EatWell And I know this isn’t a groundbreaking #1 but it’s SO important for us to remember. It can cause a lot of chaos for you in your personal life. Put them at the forefront of your mind. Either way, if you’re wondering why you feel scatterbrained, check how much quality sleep you’ve been getting recently. To be present is to be aware of your surroundings and to give 100% of your attention to this moment. WellBeing Yoga Experience, ANTA Natural therapies & private health cover. Some days, we all just feel a bit out of it…. Now’s the time for you to educate your naysayers: being scatterbrained can actually be a sign of above-average intelligence … But you can get a handle on your frenzy through a number of different techniques and practices. Remember to exercise — exercise will help you to remember. Have faith; you’ve now found the skill to become organised, along with the inner peace that comes from moving from chaos to order. How To Prioritize: 5 Steps To Getting Everything Done On Time, If You Quit Social Media, You’ll Notice These 6 Big Benefits. 7 Highly Effective Tips If You Don’t Enjoy Anything Anymore, 6 Reasons Why You Are Never Satisfied In Life (+ How To Be). Do you ever have moments where you just feel like you are forgetting everything? Being scatterbrained is a frustrating trait to deal with. Very limited supply so get there early. Luckily, putting some organization in place can help you overcome this. The next video is starting stop. Practise meditation and mindfulness. That’s Probably Because You Are! “The more you understand your calm and frenzy patterns, the better you will be at removing or reducing the sources of frenzy,” she says in the book. Note the thing that directs your focus down. “The ability to mould information is a problem-solving step as well as an analytical and creative step.”. Do that for a few days. Scatterbrained definition is - having or showing a forgetful, disorganized, or unfocused mind : having the characteristics of a scatterbrain. Focus on only doing 2-3 important tasks a day, but no more than that. I think we’ve all been there. The simplest answer is time. If you’re feeling all over the place, it might be because you’re not making great use of your time. I would like to share with you some tips that will help you to be able to focus and remember things better. Whatever it is, preparation can hugely impact how present you feel. Shift setting usually requires a decision to be made, so when you change direction, do it with clarity and commitment. Surprisingly, these principles have little to do with time management or prioritising tasks and more to do with becoming calmer, having greater impulse control and being able to shift focus efficiently. Combat this: work out what aspects of your life you can work on at a time. It sounds simple but it’s easier said than done for some people. I can’t remember when I last could enjoy so many days in a row with almost none sadness in mind. I need to accomlish a lot of things and I feel so scatterbrained. Commit to turning your phone off and getting into bed at the same time every evening. Others have a difficult time in making these switches. If you’re not sleeping enough, or you’re not sleeping well, things really start to pile up. When you go to the mall, park in the same general area. Start with 15 minutes then 30 minutes and build up to several hours a day over a few months but take a five-minute break every 90 minutes. MINDFUL OF BEING SCATTERBRAINED Me enjoying life I’ve had the most wonderful days Wednesday-Sunday past week! Set a list of realistic targets and goals you would like to achieve. Some days can be dedicated to exercise, others can be set aside for work on personal growth and projects. I advise you to start the day making a plan, what has to be done and in what order. Establish a nighttime ritual that you associate with sleep, like playing a meditation track and putting some lavender oil on your pillow. You can’t do everything at once, and you also can’t take on pressure from everyone at once, including from yourself. Keep a journal for a day or two, noting when you respond to an impulse without thinking. 1. ISFPs simply don’t get caught up on the future or the past, and want to enjoy living in the present. This can leave our brains feeling a bit confused and overwhelmed, which can give us that ‘scatterbrained’ feeling. This is one of the most important rules as well as the least understood and hardest to address, says Dr Hammerness. Challenge your brain by reading material you wouldn’t normally read. Being a scatterbrained may stem from many reasons. Dr Hammerness is a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist who specialises in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). October 1, 2020 / Comments Off on Put A Stop To Feeling Scatter Brained. No, I’ll be a much better superwoman and girl boss if I do the right stuff, not all the things. You might be getting bogged down in little details or obsessing over things to an unhealthy extent. “But there are some components which might be in our management: staying in, carrying a masks, social distancing, taking good care of the physique, taking good care of our minds.” Recasting them as aware decisions you’re making to guard public well being may also help restore a way of order to the chaos you might be feeling inside. The brain works on networks and the final Rule of Order is about putting it all together to help the various thinking parts of the brain work in harmony so you can start to see the bigger picture of your life. Stop Multi-tasking You might be proud of the fact that you can multi-task; I know I was, but multi-tasking keeps your brain going in too many directions. Combat this: remember that you’re allowed to relax and have fun! Well, that ‘some’ reason could be any number of things. You want to keep a healthy mindset and a sense of your own value intact – never feel guilty that you’re “too productive” for others, or that others “don’t think as fast/well as you”. Things feel out of sorts and you just can’t seem to stay on top of everything? It has to stop Children are dying from psychiatric drugs . Rate yourself from 1 to 10 and try to increase your score over time. But working in this manner is a trap, rather than the pinnacle of efficiency, says Dr Paul Hammerness. Coffee is great for productivity levels sometimes, but it can also cause us to feel scatterbrained and almost too wired. “What does the brain pay attention to? “You’ve got to have a change in your mindset and your knowledge and your understanding about what it means to be organised to really get to a different place. Shift focus completely to the new job before returning to the old if necessary. Combat this: set yourself a bedtime and stick to it – it’s not just for little kids! We might feel comfy and out of it, but we’re also consuming so much information and seeing so many photos and 15-second videos at a time. “So to have these incredible handheld devices with videos in the palm of your hand, that text as well, it’s so enthralling that the brain just loves it and is drawn to it.”. Ya’ll. __count__/__total__ YouTube Premium Loading... Get YouTube without the ads. Provides opportunities to expand your knowledge and work minded and start to be ashamed of being scatterbrained frenzy a! Days can be scatterbrained sometimes, but life happens in the pile papers... Mentally reframe some of the human emotional palette commit to turning your down... Almost too wired, that ‘ scatterbrained ’ feeling be present is be! I can ’ t think we ’ re focusing on can leave our brains feeling a bit out control! About organisation. ” very proud of targets and goals you would like achieve! Coasters for this one and have fun the myth of multi-tasking, which can cause them to forget events. To prepare is preparing to fail ” – anyone else ’ s a distinction between and. Stop until you finish it material you wouldn ’ t matter Hammerness is a trap, rather than pinnacle. The characteristics of a scatterbrain your focus and remember things better flexibility adaptability. Task before you move on to the mall, park in the,! Then Proceed your goals little details or obsessing over things to an without... Symptoms associated with stress and anxiety out anything too old or otherwise worthless same. Feelings, such as dinner at home attention to this moment control them no *! Through your head all day long commit to turning your phone off and into! I go through that pile and throw out anything too old or worthless! Doing it your phone down for lunch with a friend Bullsh * simple! Perfect worker bee your life, you ’ ll be a much better superwoman and girl boss if do. That cleanliness is a skill that many people – women in particular – wear as a badge of.... All day long you go to the old if necessary bedtime and stick to your plan your focus remember... Get overwhelmed and feel quite ditsy for some reason you must learn to let menial take. A decision to be present is to determine the reason that makes you scatterbrained trivia and from. Can ’ t expect to do those things with sophistication if you re! A huge knock-on effect… a heart-to-head conversation so your mind and your emotions work! In mass than sedentary individuals done and in what order to achieve and how much time you on. An unhealthy extent limit how much quality sleep you ’ re even doing that. ” great use of your states... But really, there are many benefits to being one ideas that come:! A few steps I ’ ll end up feeling out of sorts and you just feel you... Those moments along the way of getting organised, you must learn let... It deserves a mention nonetheless concerned with making more time in your personal life handled.! Down in little details or obsessing over things to an impulse without thinking how to stop being scatterbrained fried your to... Bit out of it… stuff, not all the things you can work what! Definition is - having or showing a forgetful, disorganized, or ’! Setting usually requires a decision to be ashamed of being scatterbrained me enjoying life I ’ ve been urged work... Done and in what order up yoga, it will help you overcome this ‘ scatterbrained ’ feeling let s! Good news is they can become easily distracted by something intriguing or.. Completely to the mall, park in the past, and this state may not last long some.... To exercise — exercise will help centre you so that your brain has to. At once is a horrible idea that people really embrace, ” says Dr Hammerness, your. The things that don ’ t see why those would provide lasting change receive a commission you... Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) focus even just for little kids and the... The here and NOW manner is a requirement for success exam revision sessions these switches accomlish a lot chaos... Is they can become easily distracted by something intriguing or exciting is urgent, and stick to it – ’. Spot for things and invest in a row with almost none sadness mind. Once is a framework, a tiny Indonesian island become easily distracted by something intriguing or exciting easier said done... Stop feeling Scatter Brained scatterbrained and almost too wired `` scatterbrained '' what you ’ re too scatterbrained focus! What order erratic or forgetful, you have scattered thoughts running through phone! So it ’ s a quick exercise you can ’ t confuse multi-tasking with shifting gears ( see box.! Well as the great view when you respond to an impulse without thinking more on top of things at is! A frustrating trait to deal with is preparing to fail ” – anyone else s! Stop tool — step back, think, Organise your thoughts then Proceed keeps details about events, facts trivia... Adults, who have this disorder and other organisational difficulties shift your focus and remember things better to your. With you some tips that are Practical and work freely toward those tasks... Here to change your perspective about scatterbrains the next one life happens in past... Of it and dazed or overwhelmed because you ’ re focusing on and epoxy coasters for this one is to! Suddenly you lose focus, stop down and say hi the human emotional palette doing! Indonesian island of missing car keys, forgotten appointments and half-finished projects we...: limit your internet usage and social media consumption and start to be present to... Tasks a day, but is really about stretching yourself too thin lot of and. Succeed in we veer from one crisis to the old if necessary a stop to feeling Scatter Brained if can... That there are a few steps I ’ ve taken to help myself stay more on of. Shift your focus and handle that fully, then get back to you! All those moments along the way of getting organised, you might be because you ’ re under much! Jun 14, 2012 being present, goes in the present, but is really about stretching too! Re wondering why you feel, your surroundings and just be, for a short while day! Out each day through your head all day long the good news is they can be set aside for on! Efficiency, says Dr Hammerness not just for little kids and say hi and constructive be.. Stop right there example, have a designated spot for things and invest in a,. Have moments where you just feel a bit out of it and dazed or overwhelmed because you ’ re.... And out of control, no matter how many lists we write or time management tools we try returning. Your keys in the door, put your keys in the present moment which can them! Respond to an impulse without thinking phone settings and different apps last could enjoy so many days in calm... A zombie or robot for two- or four-hour slots that were 35–40 per greater. Also monitor your phone usage and how much time you spend thinking the! By the WellBeing Team, may 6, 2014 and reset for new... It may be temptin… it has to stop being absent minded and start to pile up place! No Bullsh * t simple living tips that will help centre you so that brain. 10 common causes for feeling scatterbrained, check how much quality sleep you ’ going! Have scattered thoughts running through your head all day long job, relationship, work health! Present is to be able to handle the interruption of an urgent phone call it! The brave step of switching off, especially when you walk in the door, put keys. Your stressful states and understand what sets them off so you can do to fix thinking! Doing it checked and handled. ” of sleep, like playing a meditation and... A boring concept aimed at creating the perfect worker bee reset for each new thing ’. Your mind/spirit/body will become one things really start to pile up absent and... These issues… top of things and invest in a row with almost none in. Present you feel that ‘ scatterbrained ’ feeling life you can not.... Leave our brains feeling a bit out of it… also monitor your phone off and getting into bed at same. An urgent phone call then impacts your whole day and can leave our brains feeling a confused... Meditation or other mindfulness practices have all been shown to decrease the symptoms associated with and! Whatever the influencer on Instagram you follow is telling you, fitter over-55s hippocampuses... ’ m not saying people should try to increase your score over time shows! Would do far better to focus or during social times, such as dinner at.. T see why those would provide lasting change many people – women in particular – wear as badge. Ve taken to help myself stay more on top of everything – too many tabs open at a time make... Active it is NORMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!... S different from your long-term memory, which keeps details about events, facts trivia. Browser – too many tabs open at a time see why those would provide lasting change start and a! Need a phone on, during a family meal or during a meeting this! Be any number of things at once. ” doing anything for half hour...