Big Think—Mind Hack: Revive your focus with this 12-minute exercise
In her feature on Big Think, neuroscientist Amishi Jha delves into the complexities of attention, highlighting its multifaceted nature beyond mere focus. She introduces the concept of attention as both a “flashlight,” representing our ability to narrowly concentrate on specific tasks, and a “floodlight,” which allows for broad, receptive awareness of our surroundings. Jha emphasizes that while these systems are essential for effective functioning, they are vulnerable to distractions and stressors. To mitigate these vulnerabilities, she advocates for a 12-minute daily mindfulness practice, which research has shown can enhance attention, resilience, and overall cognitive performance.