Staying Focused Starts at Night
Introduction
We are often faced with tasks that cannot be completed during the day. This is not always a problem, as much research has shown that you can get more done at night granted that you are still getting enough sleep afterwards. For night owls, this is even more true.
A couple reasons why some people are more focused in the evening are because you are more relaxed and there are less distractions. This is true not just for night owls, but for most people in general.
You are More Relaxed at Night
At the end of the day, most people breathe an audible sigh of relief—the major tasks are done, and your mind is free until tomorrow. For some this means that their minds shut off for the evening, but for night owls it can provide a burst of motivation.
This is because we are more relaxed if there is less expected of us at that particular time. Chances are, your boss or coworkers won’t be calling you at 3 am. There is also the sense of relaxation that comes with:
- Lack of expectation for news or communication
- New laws, policies, or major COVID updates are not likely to be released at night
- You don’t expect to make or receive phone calls from family and friends
- There will likely not be new work assignments designated in the late evening hours
This lack of expectations allows your mind to relax and makes you better prepared to complete tasks efficiently.
There are Fewer Distractions
There is much less going on in the evening than during the day, including:
- Minimized contact with others
- Fewer outside noises
- Fewer tasks to complete
When you are faced with limited external stimuli, your ability to focus improves drastically. People associate the day with activities such as mealtimes, fitness routines, school, and work, but our nights are generally considered open. The song “Night Time, My Time” comes to mind.
The truth is that during the day, there is stuff going on all around us—its inevitable to get sucked in from time to time, which diminishes your ability to focus. At night, this is a non-issue.
Conclusion
The bottom line in all of this is that focus begins at night mainly for night owls, as there are some diehard morning people who are most productive in the wee hours of the morning. However, for those night-dwellers, focus is greatly improved because of being in a more relaxed state and faced with fewer distractions that could hinder concentration.