Rewiring Attention: A Simple 17-Minute Practice A 17-minute practice can significantly enhance focus and reduce attentional drift for both children and adults, including those with ADHD. This technique addresses the phenomenon of "attentional blinks," where individuals miss information due to over-focusing on specific stimuli. Research suggests that people with ADHD may experience more frequent attentional blinks because they hyper-focus on certain elements while neglecting others. The key lies in developing a skill called open monitoring, which allows one to broaden their visual attention beyond narrow focuses.
Enhancing Focus Through Interoceptive Awareness Practicing interoception—focusing on internal bodily sensations like breathing—can lead to lasting improvements in attention after just one session. Studies indicate this method reduces the frequency of attentional blinks by enhancing awareness when shifting focus between tasks or targets. Additionally, as cognitive decline occurs with age, engaging in such practices might help mitigate these effects by improving overall mental acuity and processing speed through techniques like panoramic vision.