Why our attention spans seem to be getting worse

Plus more health news | Email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [Health Matters]( [Why everyone's worried about their attention span—and how to improve yours]( By Jamie Ducharme Health Correspondent When I’m writing an article, I sometimes find myself stopping mid-sentence to toggle over to my email, or opening Instagram without even really thinking about it. These moments freak me out. Is my attention span really so bad that I can’t finish writing a single sentence without pausing? Lots of people have similar concerns these days, surveys suggest, and with good reason: Our distraction-filled modern environment is essentially designed to pull our attention toward the screens always within arm's reach. But there’s a silver lining, experts told me. With a little effort, you can improve your focus. The first step, they said, is becoming aware of the various drains on your attention and making a conscious effort to block them out through changes in your environment, priorities, or working style. “It’s not only possible [to improve attention],” one researcher told me, “it’s probable—but it’s effortful.” [READ MORE]( Share This Story What Else to Read [COVID-19’s Impact on Heart Health Still Confounds Doctors]( By Lauran Needgaard/ Associated Press COVID-19 patients are at increased risk of new heart-related problem, from blood clots and irregular heartbeats to a heart attack. [Read More »]( [Chronic Kidney Disease Is Poised to Become the Black Lung of Climate Change]( By Aryn Baker Chronic Kidney Disease could be the first climate-change related occupational disease. [Read More »]( [How the Netflix Drama Painkiller Uncovers the Origins of the Opioid Crisis]( By Laura Zornosa The new drama series uncovers the origins of the opioid crisis. [Read More »]( [Why Rewatching Your Favorite TV Show Is Good for You]( By Anna Goldfarb Rewatching TV shows helps people unwind and provides a sense of comfort, research finds. [Read More »]( [The Best Way to Break Up With Someone, According to Experts]( By Jamie Ducharme Ending a relationship is difficult, even if you're the one doing the dumping. (Originally published in 2018.) [Read More »]( ONE LAST READ [The unscrupulous doctor who is somehow still practicing]( ProPublica this week has in-depth reporting on a Pennsylvania doctor who has been investigated at nearly every level of government—yet somehow still sees patients. Though it focuses on one physician, the story is really about gaping holes in the safety net that’s meant to protect U.S. patients. [Read More »]( If you were forwarded this and want to sign up to receive it daily, [click here](. Today's newsletter was written by Jamie Ducharme and edited by Angela Haupt. [Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.]( [Subscribe to TIME]( TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via [Facebook]( | [Twitter]( | [Newsletters]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [PRIVACY POLICY]( [YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS]( TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact health@time.com Copyright © 2023 TIME USA, LLC. All rights reserved.