We've all, on occasion, drifted away from conversations, lost track of the points raised in meetings at work, or simply found ourselves in the middle of a business report but not remembering what we had just read. These are all urgent clues that something is not quite right with us. As is often the case with unexpected changes in our daily routines, we need to look deeper than the surface to find the real source of the problem.
It could be your gut
Poor gut health could be affecting our focus and mental clarity. This may surprise many who think that it's the brain that is primarily the keeper of concentration and focus. This in part is true, as the gut also works like a second brain. What happens here affects the brain as the main control centre, which helps us get through the day from the moment we wake up.
The gut is home to many trillions of microbiota that work to keep us in good health.
They help our gut to absorb nutrients from our food and fuel our day, as well as keep us in good health over a lifetime.
The complexity of the gut is also seen in its network of millions of neurons, receiving and sending signals to the brain. It's a close relationship between the gut and the brain, so much so that when the gut is disturbed or thrown off balance, we feel the effects not just in the gut, but in our mind.
A healthy gut keeps us stronger by ensuring that our immune system remains at peak levels. The gut is also where almost 95% of our body's serotonin is made. Serotonin is a neurochemical that influences our mood and therefore our mental focus and clarity.
Restore the balance
When your gut is working at optimum levels, it absorbs more nutrients from your food intake. This will help keep your mental focus and drive up, and heighten your ability to concentrate on the task at hand. This is why eating well-balanced meals regularly can do wonders for your productivity.
If you are low on time and feel your mind drifting off easily during the day, counter the feeling by having snacks or quick meals. But remember to keep it healthy, as unhealthy snacking won't do your body any good. This may not be easy to do when you're in and out of meetings all day, which is why it comes in handy to have nutritious snacks within reach.
Paying more attention to your gut would in turn keep you more attentive at work. It could be the secret to restoring your performance at work and staying on top of your game. When you stop neglecting your gut and pay attention to its needs, you will visibly notice a stark improvement in productivity throughout the day.
