Perform these two vision drills to increase your focus.

Do you find yourself distracted and having a hard time getting focused on your next task? Vision drills are a great way to get focused quickly. A straight gaze and saccades are two drills that will do the trick. I recorded a video for you to follow along or you can read the instructions below.

Drill: Straight Gaze

Thinking follows vision. When we stare at a target we close own our peripheral vision which will help us to focus.  I suggest using a pen to have a specific target but you can also use your thumb for this drill.

1. Hold a pen about 5-6inches in front of your nose with the tip at eye level.

2. Stare at the tip of the pen for 10-20 sec

Yes, that's it. Pretty simple but huge benefits. Besides focus, we also practice convergence and stimulate cranial nerve III. If you find yourself getting tired easily when reading then this drill might also help you with that.

Drill: Saccades

Saccades is a fancy word for "eye switches". This drill requires the frontal cortex to initiate eye movement. By "warming up" the frontal cortex which plays a role in cognitive thinking will be activated. Thinking better will also help us to focus. There are many variations of saccades. Today I am sharing a basic version: Horizontal Saccades.

1. Hold two pens about 8-12 inches apart and 10-12 inches away from your face with the nose in the center. Tip of the pens at eye level.

2. Move your eyes from pen to pen 10x. Make sure to accurately look at the tip of the pen.