Lower attention span than a goldfish

Research from Canada stated that our average timespan to pay attention is now shorter than the attention span from a goldfish.

The part that you’ve read was exactly eight seconds. So please stare out the window for a few seconds before continuing….

The attention timespan is defined as “the amount of concentrated time on a task without becoming distracted.” Research of Microsoft did a survey to this attention span among 2000 Canadians with minimum age of 18 and monitored the brain activity from 100 participants, using EEGs (electroencephalograms). These EEGS were used to measure the level of attention and brain activity.
The result of the research is that the average attention span declined from twelve to eight seconds, which is really terrifying if you would ask me. Both gender-groups showed decline, but the research stated that the attention span of men is better than from woman. The decline itself is due to IT and all the small devices that came with it. The “desire to be constantly connected” is the real reason why our attention span has declined, but luckily, this desire has also brought us something good: our ability to multitask has improved exceptionally.

On the one hand, I keep wondering: what are we doing to ourselves? Why did we let this come so fare? But on the other hand I truly believe this doesn’t have to become the standard and I am convinced we can do something about it. So let’s train our brain during the coming years and improve our attention span by following advice from research.
In 2012, a research published in the journal of Nutrition that enough hydration would help to keep concentration, even when you are not thirsty at all. Additionally, exercise the body would increase our attention span, which means that by exercising your body, you are exercising your brain as well, it is a win-win! And last but not least, a very predictable advice is given: try to avoid electronic devices. Lock your telephone for a set time so it will be impossible to take a look at your device within that given time. Or just learn how to control the desire to grab your phone every now and then and reward yourself in case you just stare out of the window instead of paying attention to your online world.

I hope you made it trough the whole article, it was a tough exercise, I know.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/human-attention-span-shortens-8-seconds-due-digital-technology-3-ways-stay-focused-333474
Cary Stothart, Ainsley Mitchum, Courtney Yehnert. The Attentional Cost of Receiving a Cell Phone Notification. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. 2015.