Mental dispersion: what is it and how to avoid it?

In the age of productivity and social technologies, mental dispersion is a huge elephant in the room. The need to focus attention on a task and not abandon it is something that is required in a multitude of areas; However, what about all the other processes occurring at the same time?

In this article you can read a definition of the mental dispersion process and some tips so that it cannot overcome your inner peace. If you are one of those people used to having many open processes in your mind, this is your place.

What is mental dispersion?

Mental dispersion is usually defined as the opposite process to concentration (selective attention).. This event occurs when several trains of thought are handled at the same time, so that information from many sources is integrated.

In this context, we often end up losing control, since it is the inputs that end up directing our behavior. Our attention goes where there is news and not to the points that should be priorities.

The current technological paradigm is the perfect setting for mental dispersion: The coexistence of the pressure to complete obligations and the bombardment of notifications and external stimuli is the reality of everyday life. The most normal thing is for the mind to wander from time to time or for something to be left undone.

Mental dispersion, at a cognitive level, is useful for processing information efficiently at the same time and greatly promotes creativity. However, when it comes to processing information deeply and analytically, it is less useful.

Mental dispersion and intelligence

Are people who tend to be mentally distracted less intelligent? Nothing further: since Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences – back in 1983 – the stereotype that those with a poorly analytical mind are less smart was gradually eliminated.

The approach of various forms of intelligence was extremely useful to adapt the organization of many areas, not only work. Normalizing mental dispersion – or, rather, moments of mental dispersion – and eliminating its stigma was another of them.

Strategies so that dispersion is not a burden

Although mental dispersion is very useful for multitasking and creativity, it can sometimes interfere with the development of certain activities that require strong concentration.

If you can relate to this, here are some tips to help you avoid it.

1. Use an agenda and make schedules

Paper or virtual, an agenda is a tremendously useful solution for mental dispersion. When you have too many things on your mind, writing them down in one place so you don’t forget them helps you. precisely that: to forget them until you need them. This way you can focus on the present and resolve what is urgent.

2. Create routines

Generate habits for specific moments of dispersion It helps separate the real and mental worlds to focus on the former.

Small gestures such as tapping the table, clapping your hands or a small ritual can be trained to be the signal of concentration.

3. Take breaks to allow yourself a little mental dispersion

No matter how great a person’s ability to concentrate, everyone has a limit.

It’s not something that can be forced, so don’t feel bad if you take a moment to let your mind wander and relax. In fact, this will help you refocus afterwards.

4. Reduce distracting stimuli

When you need to focus and don’t want to get distracted, Eliminate from your environment everything that could distract you. External stimuli such as social networks, environmental noises or other simultaneous tasks will only redirect your attention away from your focus.

5. Sleep well

It is more than proven that healthy sleep favors the filtering of information: at the end of the day, the amount of data that the brain houses can be a source of distraction if unnecessary data is not eliminated. During sleep, the brain retains information that is relevant for the future. and eliminate the useless one.

Mental dispersion can also be useful

Although mental dispersion is the order of the day in this world where stimuli arrive non-stop from various fronts, It is not in itself a harmful phenomenon nor a sign of low intelligence. In fact, it is extremely useful in certain creative moments of some processes, such as writing or in certain competitive sports.

Our mind works better when we are able to alternate moments of concentration with moments of dispersion. In the latter, we position ourselves in a very favorable place to establish associations typical of divergent thinking.

You might be interested…