40% of us are accidentally ruining our focus—here’s a simple fix!
Thursday, June 27, 2024.
As a couples therapist, I often see clients who struggle with maintaining focus.
Turns out, a whopping 40% of people are unintentionally sabotaging their ability to concentrate.
The culprit? Dehydration.
Dehydration’s Sneaky Impact on Focus
Research reveals that up to 40% of folks could be dehydrated at any given time, and this lack of hydration directly impacts our ability to sustain attention. A study involving 78 middle-aged participants measured natural hydration levels over three months.
The results were startling: between 30 to 40% were found to be dehydrated, and their ability to maintain focus on long tasks suffered significantly.
Dr. Asher Rosinger, the study’s lead author, emphasized, “If you’re not drinking enough water daily, it might take you longer to complete lengthy tasks with more errors.” So, if you find yourself drifting off during that never-ending Zoom meeting, dehydration might be to blame.
The good news: memory and cognitive flexibility remain unscathed
Interestingly, the study found that dehydration didn’t affect memory, cognitive flexibility, or the ability to inhibit behaviors. Dr. Rosinger noted, “The silver lining is that only sustained attention suffers from dehydration. For everyday short tasks, performance remains unaffected whether you’re well-hydrated or not.”
However, when it comes to longer, more demanding tasks, staying hydrated is crucial. “Older adults, in particular, should drink water regularly. This will not only improve their sustained attention but might also give them a cognitive boost when tackling those lengthy emails or intense crossword puzzles,” advised Dr. Rosinger.
Why hydration is crucial for older adults
As we age, our sense of thirst diminishes, making it easier to become dehydrated without realizing it. Dr. Rosinger highlighted, “Hydration’s impact on cognitive performance is especially vital for middle-aged and older adults, who are more susceptible to dehydration. They tend to drink less water, often without noticing.”
Global challenges in accessing clean water
While the study participants had access to safe, clean drinking water, this isn’t the case for everyone globally. Dr. Rosinger, whose research often focuses on how people cope without clean water, pointed out, “Many resort to consuming less water or turning to sugary drinks they believe are safer, which can lead to additional health issues.”
With climate change exacerbating clean water shortages worldwide, the importance of staying hydrated becomes even more critical. Dr. Rosinger added, “As temperatures rise, so does our need for water. Older adults, in particular, should pay close attention—pun intended—to their water intake.”
Final thoughts
The big takeaway: Hydration is Key to Focus.
So, if you’re feeling scatterbrained, it might be time to reach for a glass of water.
Regular hydration is a simple yet effective way to boost your focus, especially during those long, attention-demanding tasks.
Stay hydrated, stay focused, and maintain your productivity.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Rosinger, A. Y., John, J. D., & Murdock, K. W. (2024). Ad libitum dehydration is associated with poorer performance on a sustained attention task but not other measures of cognitive performance among middle-to-older aged community-dwelling adults: A short-term longitudinal study. American Journal of Human Biology, 36(6), e24051. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.24051
