Name: How to tame your wandering mind
Uploaded: 2018-03-23T15:08:08Z
Duration: 17 min 58 s
Description: Amishi Jha studies how we pay attention: the process by which our brain decides what's important out of the constant stream of information it receives. Both external distractions (like stress) and internal ones (like mind-wandering) diminish our attention's power, Jha says -- but some simple techniques can boost it. "Pay attention to your attention," Jha says.

Amishi Jha: How to tame your wandering mind

How to tame your wandering mind

Amishi Jha studies how we pay attention: the process by which our brain decides what's important out of the constant stream of information it receives. Both external distractions (like stress) and internal ones (like mind-wandering) diminish our attention's power, Jha says -- but some simple techniques can boost it. "Pay attention to your attention," Jha says.

Human attention is powerful but fragile, easily diminished by stress and frequent mind-wandering—which can consume nearly half of our waking lives. In moments of high pressure, such as a marine captain's post-deployment crisis, lapses in attention can have life-or-death consequences. Neuroscience reveals that both external distractions and internal worries quickly weaken our ability to process information. Practicing mindfulness daily protects and strengthens attention, turning it into a reliable guide even in the most demanding moments.