We swipe, scroll and switch activities faster than our brains can keep up. The art of truly paying attention to something seems rarer than ever. Yet it’s precisely this ability — being able to focus for long periods of time — that will be a crucial skill in the future. According to Stéphanie De Keulenaer, a PhD student in biomedical sciences, attention isn’t just something we can train, but it’s also key to healthy ageing.
The myth of attention span decline
Is our attention span really shrinking, partly due to smartphones? ‘There’s no solid evidence for that,’ says Stéphanie De Keulenaer. ‘However, we do see that people who use their smartphones frequently find it more difficult to concentrate. That doesn’t mean that the device is the cause — perhaps these people are just naturally more easily distracted.’
In her view, individual differences are crucial: ‘Some people are better at controlling their behaviour or are less sensitive to stimuli. Our brains are also highly adaptable: what we do repeatedly strengthens the associated brain functions. People who constantly watch short videos teach their brains to switch between stimuli quickly. But we can just as easily learn to focus again.’
Notifications and dopamine stimuli
According to De Keulenaer, the differences between generations are less biological than cultural. ‘Older people grew up in an environment with few distractions. Young people live in a world full of notifications and dopamine stimuli. TikTok and other social media platforms trigger strong reward responses in our brains.’
However, that doesn’t mean that our brains are deteriorating. ‘The structure of our brains is exactly the same as that of previous generations,’ she clarifies. ‘If you notice that your concentration is slipping, you can train it. Attention is like a muscle: the more you practise, the stronger it becomes.’
Training your attention
But how do you train that muscle? ‘In concrete terms: doing puzzles, Sudoku, reading; these are classic attention exercises. Mindfulness and meditation also help too, as they train your mind to handle distractions.’ Even the presence of a smartphone in the room can have a negative effect. ‘Your brain has to work hard to suppress that stimulus,’ she says with a laugh. ‘I often leave my mobile phone in another room at home.’
'Attention is like a muscle: the more you practise, the stronger it becomes.'
Cognitive reserve
Attention contributes to what neuroscientists call ‘cognitive reserve’: the mental resilience that protects our brains against ageing and diseases such as dementia. ‘Those who continue to challenge their brains — through study, work, social contact, or lifelong learning — develop a buffer. If damage occurs later in life, the brain is better able to compensate.’
Physical exercise and a healthy diet also contribute. ‘Regular exercise, staying mentally active, engaging in conversation: all of these stimulate brain activity. Cognitive training isn’t a miracle cure, but a strong brain can withstand greater challenges.’
'We can look up anything or ask ChatGPT, but to really commit something to memory, we have to consciously pay attention to it.'
Attention as a skill for the future
In a world full of distractions, being able to stay focussed while working is a superpower. ‘The ability to dive into something and persevere remains vital,’ concludes De Keulenaer. ‘We can look up anything or ask ChatGPT, but if we want to truly embed something in our brains and remember it, we have to consciously pay attention to it.
In her opinion, the key isn’t to ban technology, but to learn how to deal with stimuli. ‘We need to find ways to make concentration attractive to young people again. Education and workplaces can help by offering more flexibility. What works for one person may not work for another — the important thing is that everyone can find their own best way to focus.’