Why our attention spans seem to be getting worse

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Why everyone's worried about their attention span—and how to improve yours By Jamie Ducharme Health Correspondent When I’m writing an article, I sometimes find myself stopping mid-sentence to toggle over to my email, or opening Instagram without even really thinking about it. These moments freak me out. Is my attention span really so bad that I can’t finish writing a single sentence without pausing? Lots of people have similar concerns these days, surveys suggest, and with good reason: Our distraction-filled modern environment is essentially designed to pull our attention toward the screens always within arm's reach. But there’s a silver lining, experts told me. With a little effort, you can improve your focus. The first step, they said, is becoming aware of the various drains on your attention and making a conscious effort to block them out through changes in your environment, priorities, or working style. “It’s not only possible [to improve attention],” one researcher told me, “it’s probable—but it’s effortful.” READ MORE  Share This Story

What Else to Read COVID-19’s Impact on Heart Health Still Confounds Doctors By Lauran Needgaard/ Associated Press COVID-19 patients are at increased risk of new heart-related problem, from blood clots and irregular heartbeats to a heart attack. Read More » Chronic Kidney Disease Is Poised to Become the Black Lung of Climate Change By Aryn Baker Chronic Kidney Disease could be the first climate-change related occupational disease. Read More » How the Netflix Drama Painkiller Uncovers the Origins of the Opioid Crisis By Laura Zornosa The new drama series uncovers the origins of the opioid crisis. Read More » Why Rewatching Your Favorite TV Show Is Good for You By Anna Goldfarb Rewatching TV shows helps people unwind and provides a sense of comfort, research finds. Read More » The Best Way to Break Up With Someone, According to Experts By Jamie Ducharme Ending a relationship is difficult, even if you're the one doing the dumping. (Originally published in 2018.) Read More »

ONE LAST READ The unscrupulous doctor who is somehow still practicing ProPublica this week has in-depth reporting on a Pennsylvania doctor who has been investigated at nearly every level of government—yet somehow still sees patients. Though it focuses on one physician, the story is really about gaping holes in the safety net that’s meant to protect U.S. patients. Read More »

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