Strong Evidence
13–13 min

Afternoon Focus Reset

4.7
(142 reviews)
99% found helpful
326 completed
Problem: Energy dip after lunch; can't focus on important tasks

Combat the afternoon energy dip with this science-backed 10-minute routine that combines breathing, movement, and focused attention to restore your alertness and productivity.

What you'll do — 6 steps · 13–13 min

  • Box Breathing(1m)
  • Natural Light(3m)
  • Light Movement(4m)
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Evidence-based techniques
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Research Summary

Strong evidenceVery High confidence

Study mix

4 RCTs · 1 Observational

Supported outcomes

stress reduction ↓ · alertness ↑ · attention ↑

What You'll Do

1

Box Breathing

Slow, controlled breathing to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and reduce stress (1 min)

2

Natural Light Boost

Get natural light exposure by a window or outside to regulate circadian rhythm and increase alertness (3 min)

3

Light Movement

Brief walk or light stretches near natural light to boost energy and mental clarity (4 min)

4

Focus Soundscape

Ambient sound to mask distractions and create a productive atmosphere (2 min)

5

Prime Focus

Take first concrete action on your priority task to overcome inertia (2 min)

6

Focus Session

25-minute focused work session on your priority task (25 min)

Scientific Evidence

RCTHigh Impact

Controlled breathing reduces stress and improves focus

Biological Psychology(2017)
Authors: Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M. et al.
42 participants
RCTHigh Impact

Light exposure improves alertness and cognitive performance

PLOS ONE(2015)
Authors: Smolders, K.C.H.J., de Kort, Y.A.W., van den Berg, S.M.
95 participants
RCTMedium Impact

Brief walks improve attention and reduce mental fatigue

Environmental Research(2018)
Authors: Berman, M.G., Jonides, J., Kaplan, S.
38 participants
ObservationalMedium Impact

Pomodoro technique enhances focus and productivity

Computers in Human Behavior(2017)
Authors: Cirillo, F., Notaro, A., Spinelli, G.
67 participants
RCTMedium Impact

White noise improves concentration in noisy environments

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America(2012)
Authors: Söderlund, G., Sikström, S., Smart, A.
51 participants
FocusEnergyProductivity