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Attention Sappers: 5 Reasons You Can't Concentrate

You misplace your keys, waver between work assignments and YouTube, and daydream during conversations. Some of it’s normal—life can get pretty harried—but how do you know if you have a more serious problem? Here are five things that could be sucking your attention span dry. Plus: When you should consider seeing your doctor.

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Too little exercise

Mounting evidence suggests that regular exercise can keep your mind sharp and increase learning and memory capacity. It’s even more crucial in adults with ADHD, who battle mental restlessness. “My patients who exercise all report that they see improvement in attention,” says Dr. Wilens. Working up a sweat can also help you burn off the extra energy that causes you to feel fidgety, and it can help you sleep better at night.

See your doc if: You have a difficult time sitting still (like during a meeting or at your desk) and have an urge to constantly get up and move around the office. Or seek help if you’re self-medicating by exercising too much—say, two to three hours a day—just to keep your restlessness at bay.

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