You find yourself constantly making to-do lists, or maybe this is the sixth trip to the store because you couldn’t remember to get some candy. Or worse, you can’t focus on the task at hand before you start the next one. If you’ve been feeling unfocused or scatterbrained lately, you’re not alone. Sometimes people don’t even know they’re scatterbrained. Some think its stress while others think it’s a sign of old age. The truth is that several factors contribute to this condition. Here some of the most common contributing factors.

Lack of Nutrition

Your brain is the central command center of the body. It regulates a lot of functions to enable you to feel, think, and move. Therefore, you need to keep your mental functions in perfect condition. One of the best ways to achieve this is by consuming proper nutrition that can improve your brain health and boost concentration levels. Fill your diet with whole grains, nuts, olive oils, blueberries, and avocados. Make sure to include amino acids, Vitamin E, and antioxidants in your diet, plus proteins such as fish. Avoid junk food at all costs; they are not only harmful to your general health, but also offer no benefit for your brain.

Past Brain Injury

Scatterbrain can happen as a result of an experience that manifests years later. In other cases, it can be a sign of something worse, waiting to happen. Sometimes people don’t remember everything that happens in their lives. You may be involved in an accident at some point in your life, of which effects can manifest and occur later. Severe brain injuries can manifest years later, long after the incident itself.

Lack of Structure

The best way to have a good day is to plan your day before it starts. If your whole life is a mess, organizing your day can be the first step to getting it back under control. And it helps you stress less, too. When things get out of hand, this affects your emotions, which in turn hampers your ability to reason. But when you make a plan for your day, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed and likely to be more productive as well.

Some people are naturally attentive and focused, and some are not. This may be the result of several potential culprits, from dietary deficiencies to brain injury to stress. You are not a lost cause — you can get your life back under control! Take an honest look at your lifestyle and start making improvements for your mental health today.

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