When our concentration starts to feel slippery around midlife it's not just a simple coincidence. These sandwich years can demand a lot from our noggin - working full time while juggling demands of family life, caring responsibilities, home life and household tasks - the cognitive load is relentless. No wonder our brain is waving a white flag!
For many of us, the ability to focus and concentrate becomes harder in midlife - especially as we navigate the changes of menopause too. And it's not necessarily because we're not using our brains enough - but rather, because we're overwhelmed with mental load at a time our brain needs rest the most. This low level stress, mixed with poor sleep creates poor concentration and the feeling of 'fogginess' in our brain.
What’s happening in your brain when focus disappears?
Concentration relies on a complex network in the brain, especially in the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for decision-making, working memory, and attention. When this part is under strain - from stress hormones like cortisol, sleep deprivation, or nutritional gaps - we struggle to hold focus, switch tasks smoothly, or filter distractions.
Basically, your brain gets stuck in reactive mode: constantly firefighting, barely able to access the mental space for calm, sustained attention.
Can we improve concentration naturally?
It might be tempting to think that if you just do MORE, then your brain will work harder. But this approach can exhaust us further - and we want our brain to work with us, not against us. Here's three tips to help improve concentration naturally:
Try supplementation
When your mental load is high and your brain feels foggy, sometimes your body needs more than sleep and coffee. Looking for targeted supplements that support focus, energy and mental clarity can help - such as Noggin's OOMPH.
Build in focus time - and prioritise it
Your brain isn’t designed to multitask endlessly. One of the easiest ways to support concentration is to carve out short blocks of protected focus time. Even 25 minutes of distraction-free work can be more productive than two hours of scattered effort.
Mute notifications. Shut unnecessary tabs. Tell your team or kids you’re in a “no-interruption” window. You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to concentrate when your brain isn't bracing for the next ping.
Get your stress and sleep in check (yes, even a little bit helps)
Stress and sleep deprivation shrink your ability to focus. Cortisol and adrenaline hijack your attention, and when you’re running on empty, your brain starts scanning for threats - not spreadsheets.
You don’t need to fix everything overnight. But start small:
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Try a wind-down routine that doesn’t involve your phone
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Take five minutes to breathe or stretch before you start work
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Go to bed 30 minutes earlier (we know, easier said than done)
Even tiny shifts in your daily rhythm can make a real difference to your mental clarity over time.
A brain that works with you
Improving concentration isn’t about forcing yourself to power through. It’s about creating the conditions for your brain to perform at its best - even when life’s demanding. And with supplements like OOMPH, plus better boundaries and a bit more rest, it’s absolutely possible to find your focus again.
