In a world of constant demands, many of us can no longer finish reading an article, stay engaged during a meeting, or complete a task without giving in to the pull of notifications. What used to be a minor nuisance has now become a widespread issue. But is this just a matter of weak willpower, or is something deeper at play? Inspired by the book Why Do We Struggle to Concentrate? by Léwis Verdun, this article delves into the hidden causes behind our shrinking attention spans—and provides practical tools to reclaim our mental clarity in a hyperconnected world.

The Human Brain Was Not Built for Multitasking

The idea that we’ve become multitasking pros is appealing—but false. Numerous neuroscience studies, echoed by the author of this short book, confirm that our brains are wired to handle tasks sequentially, not simultaneously. When we switch rapidly between tasks, our brains suffer from what’s called the "switching cost": a cognitive penalty that diminishes both efficiency and memory retention.

The multitasking myth is sustained by our digital environment: replying to messages while skimming a document and attending a Zoom call has become the norm. But this fragmented attention reduces productivity, increases stress, and leads to mental fatigue.

How Apps Hijack Our Reward System

One of the book’s most striking chapters reveals how apps, social media, and content platforms are deliberately designed to capture and retain our attention. These tools trigger our brain’s reward circuits, primarily through the release of dopamine—a neurotransmitter linked to immediate pleasure.

Each “like,” notification, or piece of new content delivers a small dopamine hit, training our brains to seek the next one. Over time, this creates a form of conditioning: we develop an intolerance to boredom, making it nearly impossible to focus on a single task for long. The issue isn’t just willpower—it’s that our attention system is being continuously hijacked by ultra-optimized technologies.

Stress, Sleep, and Environment: Silent Enemies of Focus

Beyond technology, the author highlights physiological factors that erode our ability to concentrate:

  • Chronic stress, which activates the HPA axis and disrupts selective attention

  • Sleep deprivation, which weakens neuroplasticity, impairs working memory, and reduces alertness

  • Noisy or cluttered environments, which overload our sensory channels and block focus

These often-overlooked factors create a fragile foundation for attention. Add to this a poor lifestyle—like diets high in sugar and low in essential fatty acids—and our cognitive health suffers even more. One of the strengths of Verdun’s book is its ability to connect neuroscience with accessible, real-life solutions.

Practical Strategies to Restore Focus

Here are some of the actionable tips from the book that can help you rebuild strong, sustainable focus in a distracted world:

Adopt the MIND Diet
Designed to protect cognitive functions, the MIND diet blends aspects of the Mediterranean and DASH diets. Prioritize:

  • Leafy greens (spinach, kale)

  • Berries (blueberries, strawberries)

  • Whole grains

  • Nuts and fatty fish

Practice Mindfulness
Just a few minutes of meditation or conscious breathing each day can train your brain to stay grounded in the present moment. This boosts sustained attention and reduces mind-wandering.

Take Active Breaks
Short breaks every 45 minutes can help recharge your attention span. Walk, stretch, or breathe deeply—simple actions with major benefits.

Redesign Your Work Environment
A clutter-free desk, well-lit space, silenced notifications, and productivity tools like Pomodoro can dramatically improve your ability to concentrate.

Reconnect with Nature
Recent studies (2024–2025) confirm that walking in forests or parks reduces mental fatigue, enhances directed attention, and supports emotional regulation.

Our difficulty concentrating isn’t a personal flaw or an unavoidable fate. It’s a symptom of a world that overexploits our attention without respecting the biological limits of the human brain. By understanding the mechanisms at play—technological, physiological, and behavioral—we can start to regain control over our attention.

Léwis Verdun’s short book doesn’t just diagnose the problem—it offers a realistic and actionable roadmap for restoring focus, one habit at a time. It’s accessible, fast to read, and grounded in the latest research—an ideal companion for anyone ready to begin a personal attention detox.

Discover Why Do We Struggle to Concentrate? now on FIVE MINUTES.