The fight for focus in a world of distractionThe fight for focus in a world of distraction
All In The Mind
Be honest, how many times have you checked your notifications in the last hour? Or opened a new, totally unrelated tab? Or stopped what you're doing even though you really need to do it? Distractions are everywhere. And whether they're self-imposed or coming from our environment, it can be hard to focus. Today, we explore the ramifications of our rapidly shrinking attention spans, debunk some myths about focus, and discuss the art of taking a break. You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode first aired in March 2025. Guests: Dr Emma Fitzgerald Clinical Neuropsychologist Seb Emma's son and distracted teenager Gloria Mark, PhD Chancellor's Professor Emerita, University of California, Irvine Author, Attention Span Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Bella Tropiano To find the transcript for this episode, head to its original webpage. Extra info: Gloria's The Future of Attention substack Smartphones in the nursery: Parental smartphone use and parental sensitivity and responsiveness within parent–child interaction in early childhood (0–5 years): A scoping review Ditching your smartphone won't stop you being distracted, study finds
29:36•3 Jan 2026
The Battle for Focus: How Our Attention Spans Are Shrinking
Episode Overview
- Attention spans have decreased from two and a half minutes to 47 seconds.
- Modern distractions contribute to a culture of impatience and stress.
- Understanding personal attentional rhythms can help improve focus.
- Taking breaks is crucial for maintaining cognitive resources.
- The concept of 'yohaku no pi' encourages creating empty space for mental refreshment.
“"The beauty of empty space helps our minds refresh."”
What drives someone to seek a life without distraction? In this captivating episode of All In The Mind, journalist Sana Qadar takes us on a journey through the maze of modern attention spans. With distractions at every turn, it's no wonder we're all struggling to focus. Sana is joined by neuropsychologist Dr Emma Fitzgerald and her teenage son Seb, as well as Gloria Mark, Chancellor's Professor Emerita at the University of California, Irvine.
Together, they unravel the mystery of why our attention spans have shrunk from two and a half minutes to a mere 47 seconds over the past 20 years. Emma shares her personal struggles with focus in the digital age, revealing how even professionals aren't immune to the lure of social media and news sites. Meanwhile, Gloria offers insights from her extensive research into digital device usage, explaining how our habits and environment contribute to a culture of impatience and stress.
The episode doesn't just highlight problems; it also offers practical solutions. From embracing the beauty of empty space—yohaku no pi—to understanding your own attentional rhythms, listeners gain valuable strategies to combat distraction. So, if you're tired of feeling scatterbrained and want to reclaim your focus, this episode is a must-listen. How do you manage distractions in your daily life? Perhaps it's time to find your own yohaku no pi.
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