How to Stimulate Attention

for Retail News Magazine 3/2022

Attention Can Be Strengthened—It’s One of the Most Crucial Human Cognitive Abilities.

“A person cannot learn concentration without first becoming sensitive to themselves.”— Erich Fromm

Each of Us Has a Different Ability to Concentrate

This can be influenced by:

• Genetics

• Upbringing

• Environment

But attention can also be trained and stimulated using various methods and tools.

The “Negotiation Method”

One proven practice is the so-called mediation method. Here's how it works:

• Negotiate with yourself under what conditions you’ll concentrate (duration, reward, break length).

• Set goals and limits for each session.

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Helpful Habits That Support Focus

• Healthy diet

• Regular hydration

• Physical activity—even a 30-minute walk can significantly enhance concentration.

• Even mild dehydration can impair attention.

Positive Mindset and Removing Learned Limitations

Our attitude and self-talk directly impact our ability to concentrate.

Childhood environment often sets long-term mental habits and beliefs. These beliefs affect not only our thinking but also our biochemical responses. Under stress, these patterns can paralyze our cognitive functions.

Two Types of Response:

• A positive mindset might say:“This isn’t working right now—I'll go for a run and try again later.”

• A negative mindset might conclude:“I’m not mentally capable of this,”and stop trying altogether—possibly turning a temporary setback into a permanent belief.

Dopamine: The Brain’s Attention Fuel

Dopamine is a key neurochemical tied to attention, happiness, and motivation.

From an evolutionary view, dopamine rewards useful behavior and encourages repetition.

It is released both:

• When we succeed, and

• When we anticipate something exciting.

This is crucial—expectation itself can fuel focus.

Nutrition and the Brain

Nutrition plays a major role in focus:

• Good food is not just disease prevention—it’s fuel for your brain.

• Consistent, healthy eating habits support attention naturally.

Stress and Mental Paralysis

Stress is one of the most damaging factors for attention and thinking.

When we’re under extreme stress, the brain activates survival mode:

• Cortisol floods the system,

• Critical thinking is partially or totally shut down.

In this state, forcing yourself to concentrate only leads to frustration.First, rebalance the nervous system before resuming cognitive work.

Optimization: The Self-Awareness Strategy

To manage your attention well, practice:

• Self-observation

• Reflection

• Self-assessment

Learn to detect:

• What improves your thinking,

• What weakens your focus,

• When and why cognitive performance changes.

This requires discipline—but it’s a core skill in optimizing your mental resources.