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21 Ways to Reduce Digital Distractions During Online Classes and Homework Time

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Staying productive and reducing digital distractions during online classes and homework time can pose a challenge to students. Many families have students who complete some or all of their education online, and from home.

We reached out to 21 experts to get their best tips to successfully manage remote learning and homework time without letting social media, games, and apps get in the way.

1. Schedule breaks for every block of homework time

‍ Eric Kim, Co-owner and Program Director, LA Tutors

Even before we instituted remote schooling, many students struggled with online distractions. With all their classwork moving online, students may find it even easier to be on social media or play games during school hours. Students are going to be spending a lot of time in front of screens by necessity. However, if there are any homework assignments that can be done off the computer, such as math worksheets that can be printed out, or studying vocabulary off flashcards, parents should encourage students to do so to prevent screen time burnout.

For assignments that do have to be completed online, parents should recognize that it may be impossible for students to completely resist checking their social media or playing a quick game. Here, the flexible schedules of remote learning can actually be a benefit. Parents should encourage their child to take short, regular breaks where they are allowed to do non-learning activities or leisure activities as long as they then get back to work once they are done. Something like 25 minutes of studying followed by 5-10 minutes of TikTok is perfectly reasonable and may get better results out of your child than attempting to ban social media entirely.

During Zoom classes, when students really need to be dedicating their full attention, then parents can be stricter about forbidding social media. Confiscating phones during class time is probably a good idea, and in extreme cases parents may want to discuss disabling apps for younger students. In every case, parents should keep in mind that many students are stressed and missing their classmates so a little more leeway regarding student’s attempts to digitally keep in touch with their friends is perfectly reasonable.

2. Have everyone in your family sign a screen time agreement to help reduce digital distractions

‍ Josh Ochs, Founder of SmartSocial.com

Parents ask me all the time how to know if their child is paying attention to their online class and doing their online assignment- or if they’re actually playing Fortnite or scrolling through TikTok. Unless you’re always in the same room as your child, it can be difficult to know exactly what your student is up to online. I always recommend having everyone in your family sign a smartphone and social media agreement and keeping the dialogue open about digital expectations and consequences.

The agreement can serve as an icebreaker for parents to cover key safety issues like screen time limits, sexting, cyberbullying, and more. It gives kids a glance at their own responsibilities as internet users and reminds them that using social media in a negative way or when they’re not supposed to can lead to consequences. Make sure the agreement is kept somewhere visible, like on the fridge or on their desk. Regularly referring back to the agreement will remind students of the commitments they made while they are taking remote classes or doing their online homework.

3. All school rules should be followed at home as well

‍ Alice Anderson, Founder and Creator, Mommy to Mom

My kids have been fully remote learning for over a year now. I have a son in 1st grade and a daughter in 7th grade. Digital distractions aren’t really an issue for my son. His tablet for school is very limited as far as the amount of apps and websites he can access. The apps he uses for school are mostly considered play-based learning, so he doesn’t try to go on anything else anyway since he’s already playing.

It’s a little more tricky with my daughter since she has access to different apps and websites for school work. Basically, any rules that the school has, we keep the same at home. For example, she’s not allowed to have her cell phone in her room during school hours because she wouldn’t be allowed to have it at school.

She admitted to me one day that she was chatting during class a few times over Google Meets, which she knew she shouldn’t do. Not being in school has been difficult for her from a social aspect, so I try to be understanding and fair about the situation. The solution we decided on was to compromise by allowing her to chat during breaks, lunch, and study hall.

Sometimes she’ll finish her work early and ask if she can chat during class, which in that case I will agree to. I try to be lenient because she is an honor roll student and has adjusted really well considering the circumstances. She’s going to be a teenager next month and we want to keep the lines of communication open. Our daughter knows that as long as she is open and honest with us, we can talk about her mistakes and it won’t always end in a punishment. This approach has worked well for us so far.

4. Design a space conducive to school work

‍ Thomas Vibe, Founder, Stone Wizards

One of the effective ways to remove digital distractions during remote learning and homework time is by carefully designing your child’s room to be conducive to studying. It should mimic or be better than classroom ambiance. If possible, provide your children separate space for studying and recreation. Set timers and reminders on their gadgets so that they will be urged to follow their schedule. If you can, give them small rewards to appreciate their consistency in following your ground rules in studying.

5. Turn phones on airplane mode and consider noise-canceling headphones for ultimate focus

‍ Evan Weinberger and Wendy Weinberger, Co-founders, Illuminos Academic Coaching & Tutoring

Following decades of his own struggles with learning differences, Evan started an academic coaching company with the goal to equip students with the executive functioning skills, habits, and tools they need to manage stress and achieve greater success.

• Turn your phone on airplane mode so you can use it as a timer as needed
• Turn off your phone notifications
• Have a computer that is ONLY for school
• Find a place to do your homework where you ONLY do school work – no gaming, no talking to friends, no social media
• Use noise-canceling headphones to allow for better focus
• Allow for failure – if your child sneaks a peek at his phone, it is OK. It is not the end of the world for him – or you. Take a moment to relax and then try again

That’s a good time to gently encourage reflection and ask your child what was his motivation level? Did other things take priority over homework? How would success look in this circumstance, and what steps would they need to take to get there next time?

6. Gamify learning

‍ Greg Freebury, Founder, Think & Evolve

Kids are obsessed with games these days, so if you are going to try to limit distractions with remote learning, you might as well make it fun by turning it into a game!

You can create quests, such as limiting the usage of specific apps to a set amount of time per day or restricting visiting certain websites during specified time periods. Completing each task earns points. Then, those points can be used to buy rewards like a chores pass, an extra hour of video games, the latest Fortnite skin, or whatever would be appealing to your kid.

If you want to take it even further, you could put up a scoreboard on the wall to keep track of all the quests, earned points, and possible rewards. You could also have your kids create their own avatars with a unique name and appearance to gamify it further and make it even more fun.

Apps such as StayFree and Offtime can be used to track app usage on smartphones and tablets, and Google Chrome extensions such as Webtime Tracker can be used for laptops.

Taking a rather mundane, but necessary, task like limiting distractions and turning it into a game can really help entice your kids to participate more enthusiastically and transform a dull task into something fun and engaging.

7. Set time limits and goals before rewarding yourself with an activity

‍ Mike Thompson, CEO, Hyperlend

The internet has good and bad effects, but presents a high possibility of disrupting learning. Here are some factors to consider:

• Set up the desired time limit for studying and other Internet interactions respectively. Make a chain of starting to study for some time and then awarding a 10-minute break to use other stuff and then back to studying.
• Accomplish your targets before taking steps towards fun activities. Try to complete work before treating yourself with other activities as it would not lead to distraction.
• Make use of applications that allow you to use selected apps for a specified period. After the limit usage, the app will close and will not open for the next 24 hours.

8. Set yourself up for success by planning your entire schoolwork day

‍ Adam Shlomi, Founder, SoFlo SAT Tutoring

It is undeniable that students across the globe suffer from a common issue in regards to their education: lack of productivity. One of the most significant reasons for the lack of productivity amongst students is distractions caused by social media.

Here’s what students can do to balance homework and their devices:

• Turn off notifications so there isn’t any temptation while studying
• Figure out what works for you
• Create a plan for study and homework
• Put the phone away during study times
• Take breaks every half hour
• Set up specific hours where no technology will be used

9. Schedule breaks and set rules on no phones during working time

‍ Adam Garcia, CEO, The Stock Dork

Remote learning challenges students with a number of different distractions around them. Electronic devices that allow access to social media and chatting apps lead the way in distractions. One minute, you could be studying, and the next minute you could be spending 20 minutes scrolling through your social media newsfeed without even realizing it.

An excellent solution is to take scheduled breaks for this purpose. For example, a 15-minute break after every hour can allow you to study and spend time using social media as well. Make sure that when not on break, you put your device to “do not disturb” mode and block social media websites on your laptop. Not getting notifications will keep you from hopping on to social media unnecessarily.

10. It’s up to you to learn self-control

‍ Carla Diaz, Broadband Search

Having run a remote business for some time now, and working remotely myself, I’ve learned a lot about dealing with digital distractions (especially when many of these distractions come from the very devices you need in order to do your work). You need to teach yourself self-control. If you catch yourself going over to social media on your phone/computer, take note of that and try to stop it. It’s only a matter of time before you realize you’ve been scrolling for hours.

If you don’t get the hang of stopping yourself from becoming distracted, you need to put limitations in place that’ll do it for you. Put certain devices that you might not need away from you or download an app that restricts your access to certain apps while you’re working. Even if you know the password to these applications, those extra steps of needing to use more passwords and change your preferences to access those apps might help deter you and keep your focus on work. As you do this for longer, it should become easier and you should see your productivity improve.

11. Create a workspace at home for your teen

‍ Vicky Cano, Chef & Recipe Developer, Meal Fam

Create a separate classroom space. Exactly as we talk about a separate and designated workspace at home for workers, students also need a separate space where they can study in peace without digital distractions. Parents should create a space that is quiet and peaceful, and make sure it only has the necessary furniture like a chair and a table, and equipment such as a computer on which their child can do the homework. There shouldn’t be any digital devices except for the one on which the kid is studying, to minimize distractions. Also, use parental locks on that device so that the kid can’t access social media on it. If the student has to work on their tablet or PC that they use for entertainment as well, make sure it has a parental lock until they complete their homework, and that all the notifications are turned off.

12. Align your work from home schedule with your teen’s school schedule

‍ Pavel Ladziak, Founder, The Beard Struggle

For me, the best way to manage remote learning and homework time is to provide a supportive environment. Since I also work from home, I limit my use of gadgets at home outside working hours. I align my working hours with my son’s class schedule. Then, we spend our weekends playing video games for two hours only. After that, I help him do his homework. In that way, he will see how gadgets are used for studying and for leisure properly. Above all, this leads him to create a good study habit.

13. Create positive habits in your teens and add entertainment breaks into homework time

‍ Jessica Robinson, The Speaking Polymath

A habit cannot be reversed in a single day. It takes some time and effort to do so. This means that if a child is habitual of spending most of his time with their smartphone, then, parents will have to help them get rid of this habit slowly. One of the best things parents can do is to set up a no digital time during the day for the entire family and reward the child for their success in abiding by the rule. Further, the rewards should be such that they can actually motivate the child to stay away from his smartphone during the decided time. Yummy snacks, a new comic book, and some extra pocket money are some examples of alluring rewards that can inspire kids to abide by the no digital device time.

14. Consider writing notes old school style with pen and paper

‍ Elizabeth Hicks, Co-founder, Parenting Nerd LLC

Here are two tips to be successful with remote learning:

Get Organized:

Make yourself as organized as you do for your physical classes on campus. Before the school season begins, ensure that you have enough technical equipment to access the required course material. Furthermore, you need to have enough writing material, like a pe and writing pad for making quick reliable notes for the class.

Set Up Your Workspace:

Set up a dedicated learning environment for studying. When choosing a workplace try to limit distraction as much as possible both psychologically and online. If you’re at home, resist the urge to turn on the television or finish that last load of laundry. Ensure that your internet connection is strong enough as to not cause a hurdle while you are studying.

15. Set up a designated school space in your home

‍ Melissa Scatena, CEO of Scattered Solutions

I suggest setting up a homework/homeschool space in your home. Things to keep in mind:

• Try to choose a quiet space in a less busy part of the house , an environment that will naturally minimize distractions. It’s important to choose this area and stick with it
• Choose functional furniture and stock up on supplies. We suggest avoiding couches or lap desks and instead opt for a traditional desk or a small table and chair. Consider adding a soft cushion on the chair — when kids feel uncomfortable, they’re more prone to stirring and squirming, leading to distraction and disorganization. With regard to supplies, be sure to stock up on pens, pencils, and markers. We also suggest including a timer on your supplies list, which you can use to give your child a brain break for intervals of uninterrupted work
• Reserve space for a calendar and to-do list. Important, visible anchors like these will make your child’s in-house homeschool/homework space an area that encourages building on small tasks to reach larger goals ‍

Melissa came on the SmartSocial.com Podcast to share her tips to reduce digital distractions during online classes:

16. Help your students keep their senses activated

‍ Karen Gross, Author and Educator

Parents need to recognize that many children cannot concentrate for long periods of time in an online class learning setting. So, distractions are not necessarily all bad. They may give a student a needed breathing space to refocus and settle their minds before they re-engage.

• Offer food to students that they can snack on between classes or while online learning (if the teacher allows). This helps them concentrate more effectively and adds comfort to the experience
• Give students fidget toys to keep their hands busy while they are learning online. This will allow them to get some of their excess energy out
• Let them access online in different physical positions: a chair, a bed, standing, a countertop. Switch up where they learn and see which setting is best for concentration
• Let students do something constructive if they are going to be distracted. That is one reason I wrote a word play book . A riddle book or joke book works too
• Provide students with paper and amazing colored pencils or unique crayons or cray-pas and let them doodle while learning online ‍

The key is to keep their senses activated and to enable them to use distractions constructively.

17. Allow teens to take scheduled social media breaks to communicate with friends

‍ Arash Fayz, Executive Director of LA TUTORS 123

Doing as much homework off the computer as possible will help minimize distractions and prevent burnout from too much screen time. For assignments that do have to be completed online, parents should recognize that it may be impossible for students to completely resist checking their social media or playing a quick game. Here, the flexible schedules of remote learning can actually be a benefit.

Parents should encourage their child to take short, regular breaks where they are allowed to do whatever they’d like on the computer as long as they then get back to work once they are done. Something like 25 minutes of studying followed by 5-10 minutes of TikTok is perfectly reasonable for teens, and may get better results out of your child than attempting to ban social media entirely.

During Zoom classes, when students really need to be dedicating their full attention, then parents can be stricter about forbidding social media. Confiscating phones during class time is probably a good idea, and in extreme cases, parents may want to discuss disabling apps for younger students.

In every case, parents should keep in mind that many students are stressed and missing their classmates, so a little more leeway regarding student’s attempts to digitally keep in touch with their friends is perfectly reasonable.

18. Create new study habits to embrace a new normal during remote learning

‍ Laura Adams, Analyst at Aceable

Use these tips to minimize distractions, maintain focus, and create new study habits to make the most of digital learning during the pandemic.

• Turn off unnecessary alerts: Getting incoming notifications and alerts can derail a student’s ability to concentrate. Make sure computer and phone apps, such as social media, weather, package delivery, and email, are set to be silent during class and study times
• Keep reminders handy: Get your student in the habit of writing down one to three goals or tasks they need to accomplish each day on a sticky note. Keeping these goals as a note on their computer or nearby can be an easy way to refocus when distractions arise
• Use a study partner: If your student would enjoy social interaction with another good student, having a dedicated partner may help them achieve more. Consider putting a time limit on their communication to make sure the lessons get completed
• Consider getting a tutor: At some point, your student is likely to have trouble with a subject. Make sure you communicate the importance of asking for help. If a teacher can’t spend enough time with your child, consider hiring an online or in-person tutor, such as an older student
• Match tasks with energy: If your student finds it difficult to concentrate on studies during a particular time of day, encourage them to work at a different time. For instance, if they have more focus at night, consider allowing them to study later
• Use study blocks: It can be challenging for young people to maintain focus for long periods. Consider setting a timer for study blocks, such as 30 minutes, and then a 10-minute break. This structure gives students a quick reward for putting in some hard work

19. Create structure with a daily plan

‍ Dylan Howard, 21stCentEd Virtual STEM Academy

One approach to help students focus and to reduce digital distractions is parents helping their kids create structure at home. You do this by creating a plan for the following day at the end of every day. What assignments need to get accomplished? What order do they want to do them in? And by what time do they want to have them done?

For many students, learning remotely gives them the freedom to do their work when, and how they want. Schools not only provide social interaction, but structure to their life. By creating an at-home structure for school, remote students can be more productive by knowing what they need to do and by what time they would like to be done with it. This allows time for breaks, lunch, relaxing, etc.

20. Gradually build up restricted device time to reduce digital distractions

Quincy Smith, Founder of ESL Authority

All students will eventually need the self-discipline to manage this issue themselves, but I have some suggestions for parents who are starting from scratch with kids who have never had any kind of device restrictions before.

Our first tip is to slightly limit something outside of school work. For example, a parent of one of my students started by limiting their kids to one hour of video games per day. This was a big adjustment for this student, but eventually, they came to really value this one hour.

Once the student is familiar with the idea of being restricted, apply the same tactic to another device. Our suggestion is to first deny access to their phone for a certain time in the evening, maybe during dinner. Reinforce that it is not permanent and make sure to give the device back on time in order to build trust.

From there, either increase the time period, add an additional hour somewhere in the day, and move into homework time if it’s going well. We suggest establishing a set time for homework and limiting phone access during that time.

This process can continue to scale as needed, but the trick is not to go too far in the beginning. Parents and teachers need to make it doable for students just starting out and then build up trust and consistency , so it simply becomes part of the routine.

21. Help your student understand the importance of the schoolwork and homework

Zoie Hoffman, Hoffman Tutoring Group

As a certified elementary teacher and tutor, Zoie Hoffman has dedicated herself to spending time helping individual students reach their educational goals.

On this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, Zoie shares her best tips parents can use to prevent screens from turning into homework distractions:

Hoffman says to have a mindset shift about what homework and school work is all about. Some kids think that homework is something they have to get through because their parents and teachers say so. Parents can help by placing the responsibility for getting those things done with their kids and help them understand why they need to do it.

Have discussions with your child about why homework is important. Here are some talking points:

• Homework allows students to move towards mastery
• The more they practice, the more results they’ll see in what they can do academically
• Routinely doing homework will help increase grades and help students better reach their goals

Parents should show students, in some way, that they can also prevent digital distractions when they are working or concentrating on a task. For example, put your phone away when you sit down to write work emails, pay the bills, or make a grocery list. If your kid sees you without your phone during those times, it will speak louder than you simply telling them. Model what you want your child to do.

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How to focus on homework

Focusing on homework and your studies can be a challenge, especially in an age when we’re surrounded by distractions. Thankfully, there are several strategies to get the most out of your studying time. If you’re using Windows 11 , you already have access to a variety of built-in features designed to minimize distractions and help you study effectively. Here are several ways to turn up your focus while turning down distractions.

Stay organized with Task view

Task view is a Windows feature that lets you view all your current windows and apps on a single screen. Use Task view to create virtual desktops for each subject and switch between topics and projects as needed. Leveraging this feature is a great way to stay organized and minimize distractions while studying.

Quiet notifications and alerts with Focus assist

Focus assist  is a Windows 11 feature that minimizes digital distractions while you work on homework. When you turn on Focus assist, a session timer will appear on your screen and your computer automatically mutes notifications and taskbar alerts. Customize Focus assist settings to allow certain notifications or prioritize school-related apps.

Minimize online distractions with Immersive Reader

If you're reading material online, Immersive Reader  in Microsoft Edge  can minimize distractions so you can focus on the content on the page. Immersive Reader removes ads, sidebars, pop-ups, and other distractions that make it harder to read on the web.

Ease your eyes with Dark mode

While we don’t recommend studying into the wee hours of the night, sometimes it’s unavoidable. However, the blue light emitted by your computer screen can disrupt your sleep patterns and make it harder to concentrate. Give your eyes a break by taking advantage of Windows 11 Dark mode —a feature that reduces blue light emissions from your screen in low-light environments.

Create a study space

One of the best ways to stay focused on homework is to create a dedicated study space. This can be a desk in your room or a quiet corner in a library. Ideally, your study space should be free of distractions, like your TV or phone, that make it harder to concentrate.

Stick to a schedule

Another effective way to get through assignments is by creating a schedule and sticking to it. Establishing a routine makes it easier to stay on task and helps you take breaks when needed. Create a study schedule and set reminders for important deadlines or exams to make it easier to study daily.

Set goals and reward yourself

Finally, rewarding yourself when you reach your goals is a great way to stay motivated throughout the school year. Watch your favorite show at the end of a homework session or visit your favorite restaurant after finals to celebrate your hard work.

Leverage these techniques and digital tools to stay focused on your homework and achieve your academic goals. If you’re looking for an operating system for students and professionals alike, Windows 11  has you covered.

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7 Ways to Take the Hassle Out of Homework

Homework can feel like a huge drag. Here’s what you need to know about how to make homework less painful and more useful.

Here are our top seven:

Help them get organized..

Encourage students to track their homework tasks by using a paper or digital planner, and help them set up a system for storing what’s been completed and what still needs to be done.

Make it part of the routine.

Try to make homework happen at a consistent time each day , like during an after-school program, right after getting home, or immediately after dinner. Aim for a 30-60 minute block when they’ve had some time to relax but aren’t too tired. You may want to consider allowing older kids to decide for themselves when they want to do their homework—but be clear that it needs to be done by a certain time every day. Once the routine is set, try not to nag. Communicate that it’s their job to get their homework done.

Create a consistent homework space.

Ideally, this should be somewhere quiet and well-lit, where you can check in with your child easily. Try to minimize the need for students to have to get out of their chair. If you use your kitchen table, pick up an organizer caddy that can house homework supplies and be easily pulled out and stored away.

Reduce distractions.

Emphasize that homework time is a time for being quiet and focused. You can model good behavior by setting the expectation that loud music, TV, and video games are off limits for everyone (including yourself!) in the homework zone. If one child finishes before others, give them the option to read, draw or play quietly somewhere out of sight.

Be a coach, not a player.

Does a coach go onto the field and start scoring goals? Then why are you holding the pencil? Your role is to monitor and motivate, not do the work yourself. In fact, there’s some evidence that helping kids with their homework doesn’t actually do any good . When they get stuck, encourage them to think through ways of solving the problem on their own, for example by exploring online resources or writing down questions to ask their teacher. Avoid the urge to try to teach them yourself, especially if you’re not sure either. If it seems like they’re often confused or frustrated, it’s time for a talk with the teacher.

Build in breaks.

Keep an eye on how long it takes your child to complete their homework. The amount they should have depends on their age and grade level. For longer stretches, ensure students take brain breaks to get the blood flowing and increase alertness. For high school, every 30-45 minutes of studying should be followed by a 10-15-minute break. For elementary, every 15-30 minutes should be followed by a 5-10-minute break. Set a timer, if that helps them stay motivated.

Keep the high fives coming

Finally, remember that a little praise goes a long way. Give your kids regular props—and yes, maybe even the occasional reward —for hard work and making progress!

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How to avoid distractions while studying, according to science

Postdoctoral researcher, Bournemouth University

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Modern life is full of distractions – and some of them can have a negative effect on our ability to concentrate when studying. The problem is that many people tend to underestimate how much they are distracted by what’s going on around them. Here’s how you can get the most from your studies by considering your environment.

Reading is often accompanied by background speech, such as from the television or the conversations of friends or colleagues. When trying to concentrate on a task, people often report that the presence of nearby speech is annoying. But they are usually not very good at accurately estimating how distracted they will be by such sounds. However, when measured in the lab, people’s ability to carry out study-related tasks is usually made worse by irrelevant speech in the background.

For example, a recent study recorded participants’ eye movements as they read texts and listened to irrelevant background speech. The results showed reading needed more effort because participants more often had to go back to previously read words and re-examine them. This distraction occurred because readers were inadvertently trying to listen to the irrelevant speech and process its meaning, even though it has nothing to do with what they are reading.

Listening to music is another common distraction that many students choose. A recent survey found that 62% of university students were listening to music while studying or doing homework. But, again, recent eye-tracking evidence suggests that listening to music also reduces reading efficiency in a similar way to irrelevant speech.

This may occur because much music contains language in the form of lyrics that readers try to process. In fact, a recent summary of a large number of studies on the topic has suggested that listening to lyrical music may be just as detrimental to text comprehension as listening to speech.

However, listening to instrumental music without lyrics appears to have little if any negative effect on comprehension. So if you must listen to music while you study, it may be better to listen to classical pieces rather than the latest pop hits.

The multi-tasking problem

Even if you find an empty room and take out your headphones, studying today often means dealing with a big potential distraction in the form of smartphones and social media. In one study , students conducting three hours of homework engaged with an average of 35 distractors such as using their phone, accessing the internet for non-study purposes or listening to music.

Such types of multi-tasking activities are usually associated with poorer studying performance . For example, one study found that students who were allowed to send text messages during a lecture had lower comprehension of its contents than those who had their phones switched off. Another recent survey found that greater daily Facebook use is associated with an increase in academic distraction.

But while using other media when studying is detrimental to performance, students may not always be aware of this because they tend to overestimate their ability to multi-task. For instance, one study asked participants to do either one task or two tasks at the same time. The tasks involved judging whether spoken statements are correct and counting the shape of visual objects. Although teenagers and young adults reported strong confidence in their ability to multi-task, their actual performance was almost always worse compared to when they were doing just one task.

Overall, these results suggest that using media when studying should be limited due to the decrease in performance when multi-tasking. One strategy to avoid the negative effects of media multi-tasking is to take short “ technology breaks ” during which you access the internet, but then restrict its use for the rest of your study period. Other options may be to avoid using smartphones and other devices before studying is completed for the day, or to keep such technology in communal areas away from the studying space.

So while you might think you can study in a busy cafe, or with the TV on, or with your phone keeping you connected to the world, the chances are that you’re not as good at getting down to work as you think. By planning studying sessions in a way that minimises external distractors, you could improve your concentration and overall performance.

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Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you? You try to read and get distracted by Snapchat. You’re doing your math homework until you’re little sister comes barreling through the kitchen. The new BuzzFeed quiz sounds way more appealing than starting your French paper .

Research shows  that even a 3-second interruption (like the time it takes to glance at your buzzing phone) has the power to completely derail the task you’re working on and makes you more likely to mess up.

Want to defeat homework distractions once and for all? Here are nine interruption busters to help you concentrate on homework without getting distracted to  reach your goals .

1. Make homework a habit.

You brush your teeth before bed; it’s just what happens. Same with homework. You do homework after school. Or, you do homework after dinner. Your schedule might vary from day to day, but in general being consistent about when homework will happen assures that it will become second nature.

2. Find your perfect study space.

Doing your homework in roughly the same place every night will help cement the routine. Whether it’s the public library, on your bed, or at the kitchen table, find a study space to make your own.

3. Get rid of unnecessary interruptions.

Distractions are often electronic but not always (rowdy younger siblings definitely count!). Wear headphones. Silence those enticing app notifications. You probably need your computer to do research or type up your lit essay  so consider using a browser extension like StayFocused to block chronically distracting sites (like your favorite blog or Instagram).

Read More: 8 Tricks to Finish Your Homework Faster

4. Plan ahead.

Take a look at everything you have to do and gather up ALL the gear you’ll need to do it. Have a trig quiz ? Grab your calculator. Reading a  chapter for biology ? Make sure a highlighter is handy. Going on a search for supplies is a surefire way to derail homework.

5. Big projects? Start small.

If you’ve got a big assignment looming, like a research paper , stay motivated by completing a small piece of the project every few days. It’s easy to get distracted if the project seems too complicated or has a distant due date. Even writing just a few sentences a night will keep your essay on track.

6. Give your brain a break.

Our brains and bodies aren’t wired to do the same thing for too long. Attempting to complete a complicated geometry problem set  in one sitting could end up frustrating you and make you want to give up. Make sure you are allowing yourself plenty of breaks—walk the dog, have a dance party, scan your Twitter feed—to get the blood flowing and get the brain moving.

Read More: Not Sure if an Online Tutor is Right For You? Let Us Change Your Mind.

7. Shift subjects.

You’ve got homework from lots of different teachers across multiple subjects. Who says you have to finish your Spanish dialogue  before moving on to chemistry ? When your mind starts wandering or you’ve just had enough, it’s ok (and often very productive!) to move on to something else. You may end up shifting subjects a few times before your assignments are completed.

8. Get loose.

Your study routine doesn’t have to be monotonous, especially if you are “actively” rather than passively involved with homework  So take notes on passages as you read them. Or, create flashcards for vocab words. Don’t just study the biology diagram; try to replicate it. The more senses that are involved in the work, the more you will retain and the less likely you will zone out and read the same thing over and over with no comprehension.

9. Still can’t focus? We can help!

Sometimes an “outside force” can be very motivating. If you’re stuck, our online tutors are available 24/7 and can help you get back on track in just a few minutes.

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How do I deal with managing screen time along with online homework?

If you're like me, you've recently attended your kid's back-to-school night and have made two disturbing discoveries. One, your kid's math classroom smells like old socks. And two, a good amount of schoolwork this year, from homework to group projects, will be on the computer. Managing all that screen time, when your kid's world already feels way too screen-y, seems impossible. We know—a lot of us have been through it. This week, we're sharing our tried-and-true strategies for working this all out. As for the sock smell, you're on your own!

Why all the online homework in the first place? If homework sounds like "clickety-clack," it's not your imagination. More and more teachers are migrating schoolwork to the computer. While it can be a pain for you to manage, the shift has some real benefits. For starters, kids tend to like it—and that's a good thing where homework is concerned. But online work has a few advantages over pencil and paper.

It's more relevant to kid's lives. Today's kids go to YouTube, Wikipedia, and Khan Academy whenever they want to learn more about something that they're interested in, whether it's skateboarding or the solar system. They can use these same sources for homework because they know and understand them.

It can teach responsible online behavior. It's tough to get away with cyberbullying a classmate on Google Docs when you sit right next to them in social studies. By using digital tools, kids learn valuable lessons that translate directly to the working world such as respectful communication, collaboration, and that what you post has a direct impact on others.

It gives students and teachers instant feedback. Some software, including IXL and BrainPOP, identifies where kids are proficient and where they need work. Pinpointing the trouble spots means kids won't get bored reviewing stuff they know and lets teachers provide tailored instruction to improve students' understanding.

It can introduce kids to new concepts. The internet has approximately a bajillion videos of how atoms combine to create a molecule. Do you want your kid to watch them all? No. Do you want your kid to watch as many as they need to understand the concept? Yes.

It allows teachers to focus on teaching. By automating mundane tasks such as grading, teachers are freed up to spend more time on what's really important—instilling a love of learning in their students.

When is tech not good for kids' learning? Educational experts agree that technology shouldn't replace many aspects of traditional teaching. All kids learn differently, so a variety of methods is the most effective way of reaching every kid. And honestly, there are some aspects of learning where pencil and paper are just better. For example:

Writing by hand helps kids process information. The brain activity that occurs when you jot notes down helps you retain information better.

Kids can be more expressive. Because it's input-output, technology has its limits on self-expression and creativity.

It's harder to cheat. Technology makes it ridiculously easy for kids to get answers without doing the work.

How can I make sure my kid is not really playing Fortnite when he says he's doing homework? When kids work online, you have very little visibility into what they're doing. One concern parents have is that if homework is on a laptop, kids can easily switch between studying and gaming without you knowing. Also, YouTube rabbit holes. Your kid's teacher can help you determine the "school" side of the screen-time equation. These questions can help guide that conversation:

Ask the teacher how much time should be spent online. Are students expected to do all their homework online, do only some of their homework, or use only a few apps? Some apps time kids' sessions, which gives teachers feedback on an individual student's proficiency—even on individual problems. If you have that data, you can get a gauge of whether your kid is on track, stuck on something, or possibly dillydallying.

Ask the purpose of the technology. It's perfectly OK to ask what software your kid will be using, how it was selected, and what the learning purpose is. There's a huge range of educational apps, websites, and games available, and teachers may use a variety of ways to find the ones that will really benefit kids' learning. Understanding the learning purpose will help you know what to ask when you check in on your kid's progress.

Find out how you fit in. Ask your teacher how you can continue to support your kid's online learning and monitor interactions (if necessary). The software may have a teacher dashboard that can be shared with parents or a parent log-in, or the teacher can give you access to your kid's account.

But, I already feel like we're fighting every day about screen time! When schools started assigning online homework, a lot of us felt like we were no longer in control of how screen time worked in our homes. How many of us have asked our kid to get off the computer only to have them answer, "But I'm doing homework!" Fear not! You can still assert control—and your kid can still get their homework done. Here's how:

Keep the computer in a central location—not the bedroom. Being out in the open will encourage them to stay on task and help you keep an eye on them.

Talk about the myths of multitasking. It's going to make homework last even longer and make it harder to retain information if they skip back and forth between watching PewDiePie and writing an essay.

Ask your kid to show you what they're doing. Understanding the tools their teachers are using with them will help you get a sense of how long things should take and what they're really doing when they're online.

Have a cut-off point. No matter what, make sure kids shut off devices at least an hour before bedtime. Their brains need time to chill so they can get a good night's sleep. You can use parental controls to make this happen automatically if necessary.

Use a productivity app. Apps that help kids stay on task, such as timers, goal-setters, and distraction blockers can be super motivational.

It just feels like too much screen time overall. Screens are not inherently bad for kids. If they're learning or having fun in a positive way—that's a good thing! But what you might be sensing is that they're missing out on important non-screen activities because so much of their learning and entertainment time is spent with a device. Balance is important for kids (and for everyone else). Here's what you can do to make sure screens aren't taking over your kid's life:

Get some physical activity—away from screens. Stretch, meditate, take the dog for a walk, go for a bike ride, or have a little dance party.

Read. Reading is really good for kids. You can read to your kid (even older tweens benefit from being read to), take turns reading pages to each other, or just sit together reading your own stuff.

Establish device-free times and zones. Having non-negotiable boundaries around when tech is not welcome—for example, at dinnertime or in bedrooms at night—helps kids find other stuff to do that's not screen based.

Jill Murphy is Editor-in-Chief and Head of Distribution at Common Sense Media. Jill joined Common Sense in January 2005, built the editorial department with founding Editor-in-Chief Liz Perle, and served as Deputy Managing Editor and later Managing Editor before becoming Editorial Director in 2010. She oversees the ratings and reviews for all media channels, including movies, TV, games, web, apps, music, and books. She's responsible for all parenting advice content, from conception to publication -- including tips, articles, and recommended lists. She has developed a variety of new content products, including our parent blog. Jill also works closely with content partners including Huffington Post, Yahoo!, DirecTV, Comcast, Netflix, and more to further leverage Common Sense Media's content library. Jill's commitment to Common Sense gives her the opportunity to help families avoid the TV shows she's devoted to (she's our resident expert on any and all reality TV). When she must, she shares the TV with her two young daughters, who watch Doc McStuffins and Word Girl; her husband, who watches sports and can't wait for more Walking Dead; and her dogs, who watch the door. Jill holds a BA from San Francisco State University in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts, with an emphasis on writing and media literacy.

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• How to minimize distractions when you work from home

The first step: accept your distractibility

By Joe Stanganelli

Share this story

I’ve been working from home for close to 15 years. I also have ADHD. And a lot of streaming subscriptions. And a PlayStation. And hundreds of books. And a partner who also sometimes works from home and is equally aware of the presence of said streaming subscriptions, PlayStation, and books.

The point is that my home is full of distractions. Yours probably is, too. Maybe different distractions from mine, but distractions nonetheless. And, like many workers , it may have taken you a pandemic to discover that it can be hard to avoid these distractions when working from home. (Work itself provides plenty of distractions already, if you’re not careful— the continuous pings of emails and Slacks can make you feel like you’re working all the time but never actually getting anything done .)

Sure, there are productivity and project management apps. But Todoist isn’t going to help you resist the siren call of TikTok, and Trello isn’t going to play catch with the dog. At a certain point, you can only manage your distractions by managing yourself.

Accept your distractibility

The first step to mitigating distractions when working from home is to accept that you become distracted because humans are distractible. It is part of your nature. And that’s okay.

Take, for instance, someone who keeps oversleeping because they hit the snooze button on their alarm nine times before finally getting up. Seasoned oversleepers know that one way to overcome this is to keep the alarm clock several feet from the bed — requiring the would-be oversleeper to get out of bed and walk across the room to hit the snooze button each time the alarm goes off. At a certain point, it becomes more restful to just stay awake.

You can do the same thing with distractions — by setting yourself up to be distracted from your distractions when you inevitably succumb to them (if not beforehand).

Set yourself up to be distracted from your distractions when you inevitably succumb to them

Let’s say that your weakness is television, and you know if you decide to “take a quick break” in front of the TV, it’s an even-money shot that you’ll still be on the couch three hours later.

If you can’t resist the siren call of your Vizio, then set yourself up for, if not success, minimal failure. Don’t risk getting sucked into a binge-worthy hour-long drama with eight episodes to go — and if you do, don’t wait to pull out until the end of an episode, when you’ll probably be at your most desperate to see what happens next. Instead, put on something simple that gets in and out of a story fast. A kids’ cartoon that’s separated into six-minute installments. A documentary series that takes only five minutes to explain how baseball gloves are made before moving on to medical electrodes . A daytime talk show that settles questions of a child’s paternity or a lover’s fidelity between commercials for mesothelioma lawyers. Something that will quickly leave you ready to move on to something new.

Or let’s say your weakness is a particular phone app. You might benefit from some kind of barrier to getting sucked into it. My editor Nathan tells me that he’s had success logging out of, or outright deleting, addictive apps if he’s on deadline. Personally, I like to leave my phone in the next room sometimes. (After all, the phone is there for my convenience, not other people’s.

Set daily limits

But let’s say you don’t want to go quite that far, either because you have the kind of job that requires you to frequently have or be using your phone or because you’ve got a bad case of nomophobia . You can set daily time limits for individual apps in Android and iOS.

• Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls
• Tap the chart
• Tap Set timer next to the app you want to limit
• Select the time limit you want to set, then tap Set

• Go to Settings > Screen Time
• Make sure Screen Time is turned on
• Go to App Limits
• Tap Add Limit
• Select app categories or individual apps that you want to limit
• Select the time limit you want to set (Optional: You can tap Customize Days to set time limits for specific days)

(Oh, and don’t forget to disable push notifications .)

If you live with someone sufficiently kind and understanding (and especially if they work from home, too), try the buddy system. Know each other’s bad habits. Then, if one of you catches the other “stuck” in some distraction, gently call it to the other’s attention in a bid to snap them out of it. A simple “Hey. You’re stuck. Get unstuck” can work wonders if you’re both committed to doing better.

To be clear, the goal isn’t to avoid non-work at all costs. The goal is to manage distractions. Sometimes, that means leaning in.

Schedule everything

While recovering from a car accident years ago, my occupational therapist told me not only to take frequent breaks as I worked from home but also to schedule those breaks on my calendar — and to stick to them as religiously as if they were a work call or a deadline. Ditto for household chores, walks outside, and just about anything else that wasn’t “work.” Even eating had to go in the calendar.

I smiled and nodded and ignored this advice. I continued to struggle.

I smiled and nodded and ignored this advice. I continued to struggle

Finally, I gave in — scheduling things like laundry, snacks, and exercise such that I was never working for more than 55 uninterrupted minutes (and usually less). A typical day in my calendar would have 30- to 55-minute work blocks punctuated by chore breaks, food breaks, exercise breaks, rest breaks, and errands. Every minute during my scheduled workday was accounted for.

And sure enough, my physical condition gradually improved. (I’m better now, by the way.) But there was a curious side effect: I was way more productive. Scheduling my distractions and my other non-work into my day, compelling myself to engage in them as forcefully as I would any “work” task, made me more efficient at and more focused on my work. And sticking to a strict schedule for mundanities like “watch TV” and “do laundry” helped me manage my ADHD symptoms — without it ever feeling grueling.

(I also got more laundry done.)

It turns out this resembles the Pomodoro Technique — a time-management method developed in the 1980s, whereby you work in 25-minute intervals punctuated by short breaks. And my routine even more closely resembles the 52/17 rule — a Pomodoro variation proposed by the Draugiem Group, makers of the productivity app DeskTime . In 2014, the company reported finding that DeskTime’s most productive users would work for 52 minutes at a time, then break for 17 minutes, and so on. Their breaks became more “effective” because they would be 100 percent dedicated to taking a break during those 17-minute allotments — and, by extension, more dedicated during their 52 minutes of work.

The takeaway here is that breaks need to happen, so put them on your calendar. To the extent practicable, schedule everything during your work-from-home workday. Everything. From that phone call you need to make to your doctor’s office to the time you’d like to spend playing Fortnite. (And, of course, your actual work.)

Ditto for meeting the needs of your cohabitants. Roommates, partners, family, pets — anyone you live with is going to want something from you from time to time. You’ll need to get really good at saying no if you want to minimize distractions (learning to say no goes beyond the scope of this article), but there are things you’re going to have to say yes to. At some point, the kids will need to be picked up, the trash will need to go out, dinner will have to be made / ordered, etc. Schedule as much as you can in advance. And if you both work from home, tag-team responsibilities (e.g., “I’ll take toddler duty during the even hours, you take toddler duty during the odd hours.”)

Also, don’t forget negative scheduling. Sometimes, distractions are even more unwelcome than usual (such as when you’re on a video call, working on a complicated problem, or rushing to get a project finished). Just as you would do (or, at least, should do) with your remote coworkers, be communicative. Let those you live with know in advance that 1:30-2:30PM tomorrow is off-limits. Or that if your door is all the way closed, don’t come a-knockin’.

The corollary of all of this is that, to avoid distractions while working from home, you also have to avoid work distractions while living from home. Unless you truly have the kind of job where you have to be available 24/7, make sure that when you’re off the clock, you’re off the clock — whether for dinnertime, bedtime, family time, or alone time. You can’t make the most of your work if you’re making the least of your life.

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How to avoid distractions while working from home

It's easy to lose focus when the whole internet is at your fingertips.

By Whitson Gordon | Updated Jul 31, 2023 8:33 AM EDT

Working from home is a blessing and a curse—you get the freedom to work how you want, but the temptation to slack off is strong. It’s easy to stick to your job when your boss is breathing down your neck, but at home, even the best noise-canceling headphones might not keep you from doomscrolling through news 15 times an hour. If you need to buckle down and minimize distractions, you need a digital workspace that’s conducive to focus.

Start fresh with a new browser profile

Our personal computers have more shortcuts and automations than ever. What once took a few clicks and keystrokes now takes a single gesture , making it far too easy to check Facebook or browse YouTube as soon as your attention starts to falter. So if you want to truly block out distractions, start with a clean slate—one that doesn’t have any of your bookmarks, auto-filling passwords, and other automations.

The easiest thing to do is create a new profile in your browser of choice . In Google Chrome, just click your current profile image in the upper right-hand corner, then choose Add . Name your profile “Work” (or something to that effect), and Chrome will present you with a fresh browser window, ripe for customization with only the tools you need for your job. (If there’s a lot of crossover between your work and personal tools, you may want to split those up as well—for example, make a separate LastPass account with only your work-related passwords.)

[Related: You should start using a password manager ]

I’d start with the clean browser profile and work with that for a while—it may be all you need. If you do a lot of work outside a browser, you can take the slightly more drastic measure of creating a new user account for your entire computer. On Windows 11, just head to Settings > Accounts > Family and choose Add someone . On Windows 10, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & Other Users > and click Add Someone Else to This PC . If you’re using macOS, navigate to System Settings > Users & Groups , click the “i” icon next to a profile to make changes, and click Add Account to set up a new user profile.

I’ve heard of people going even further by using an entirely separate PC for work—in some cases resorting to an old PC that can’t run modern apps, or a dedicated writing tool like Freewrite . Installing a minimal Linux distribution would work well too, though again: Start small and work your way up if you need it.

Go totally full-screen

Even if you have a desktop dedicated entirely to work, other work apps can still distract you. Plenty of research shows that multitasking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be , and if you’re constantly switching between writing and email—even if it’s work-related email—you’ll experience diminished cognitive performance. So when you need to plow through something, you need to block everything else out.

We writers tend to be a scatterbrained bunch, which has created a market for full-screen, distraction-free writing tools like Q10 and many others . They fill the entire screen with nothing but a plain text box (often with soothing sound effects or calming backgrounds), so you can focus on the one thing in front of you. You don’t need to be a writer to adopt this sort of workspace, though. Both Windows and macOS have full-screen modes that allow you to cover your entire monitor with a single application. So whether you’re trudging through spreadsheets or binge-writing code, you can cover up your taskbar, other windows, and notifications with an edge-to-edge window.

On Windows, this varies a bit from app to app. Many “Universal Windows Platform” apps that you get from the Microsoft Store will go full-screen when you press Win+Shift+Enter , while other desktop apps might have their own full-screen modes (Chrome can go full-screen with F11 , for example). Not every app has this ability, though you can always approximate something similar on Windows 11 by hiding the taskbar (right-click on the taskbar, then hit Taskbar Settings , click Taskbar behaviors , and check the box next to Automatically hide the taskbar ) and turning on Focus Assist ( Settings > System > Focus ) to block notifications.

Apple has built a full-screen mode into macOS as well, and it works with plenty of apps—just click the green full-screen button in the upper left corner of a given window. Some apps may have their own full-screen shortcuts, too.

Tune in to focus-enhancing music

It’s hard to force that “flow state” that gets you into a steady groove at work, but music can help—at least, certain kinds of music. As we’ve discussed in the past, research points to lyric-free, somewhat fast-paced music as ideal for productivity , making video game soundtracks a surprisingly good choice. (I’m listening to the heavy metal grind of Doom’s soundtrack as I write this.) Spotify has a whole set of focus-oriented playlists in different genres as well, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something that suits your fancy. There are apps and services completely geared around productivity-focused music too, like Brain.fm and Focus@Will , though they come with separate monthly subscription fees.  

Block distracting sites from tempting you away

If you need an extra layer of accountability, there are plenty of tools that will block time-wasting sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Tetris so you can stick to the task at hand. 

[Related: How to run a security audit on your Chrome extensions ]

Chrome extension StayFocusd is one of the most popular options. You can add any domain you want to a list of blocked sites, and set a window of time during the day—like 9 to 5—that StayFocusd blocks you from visiting those pages. If you need something stronger, StayFocusd’s “nuclear option” allows you to restrict all sites except those you specify. You can even force a “challenge” that requires you to type a block of text, without typos, before you can continue—making it more difficult to change StayFocusd’s settings and work around the blocks you’ve set. It’s pretty powerful, provided all your distractions are on the web.

If you need something system-wide, Freedom is another feature-rich option that can block desktop apps, set the days and times you want those apps blocked, and track your time to see your biggest distractions. You can try Freedom for free, and its developers have created a number of free browser extensions , but the full program costs just under $40 per year, so you may need to pay to get the features you want.

It’s okay to take breaks: just schedule them first

None of these tools are panaceas—they’ll just help you along the way. But if you aren’t committed to trying, you probably won’t get anywhere. You’ll still need to take an active role in focusing on work.

Part of that active role, though, means knowing when to give yourself some leeway. Taking regular breaks can aid in productivity when done properly, not to mention prevent eye strain and other tension in your body . The key is scheduling those breaks ahead of time, rather than continually giving in to distractions whenever you feel the slightest tug. So set a timer and make yourself work for 30 minutes (read up on the Pomodoro Technique for more), or set alarms in an app like Google Calendar to schedule your day. If you can look forward to that break, maybe you can stay focused long enough to finish the task at hand without temptation.

This story has been updated. It was originally published on August 4, 2020.

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Stay on Task And Reduce Homework Distractions

• May 12, 2020

For students, the ability to reduce homework distractions is not always easy. Many parents wonder how to help a child who can’t seem to concentrate on his or her school assignments.

Many kids see homework as tedious or boring, so it’s easy to understand why they often become off-task.

How can parents help to reduce homework distractions? It starts with understanding where these distractions are coming from.

Why Are Children Distracted?

Children often don’t understand why homework is important or that there are consequences for not doing it. However, in most cases, students simply lack the experience and self-control to stay on-task.

The “home” setting of homework can be a major source of homework distractions. It’s filled with toys, internet access, and family members doing their own things. With all these homework distractions happening around them, children can find it hard to sit down and tackle homework in an effective way.

What Other Problems Cause Distraction?

Other issues can cause children to lose concentration. Stress, frustration, and simply not understanding the material can have a big impact on a student’s ability to concentrate, as well as his or her ability to master the material being taught in class.

How To Help Your Child Focus On Homework And Reduce Homework Distractions:

If you’re a parent with a child who needs some help staying on-task, try these tips to reduce homework distractions:

1. Schedule Small Breaks

It’s important to give your child enough breaks so that he or she doesn’t get overly frustrated, bored, or start drifting away from the material. Take a 5-10 minute break every 20 to 30 minutes. These small “brain breaks” will help your child refresh his or her mind and return to the material more invigorated. Take a short walk to help get rid of any extra energy so your child will be ready to get back down to work.

2. Create a Learning Space

Having a space to work is crucial for homework and studying. Ideally, this space should be used be for homework only, but that may not always be practical depending on the space you have in your home. The most important thing that is this space remains distraction-free and has all the supplies your child needs to work (like pencils and paper). A good study space – also known as a study studio – can have a great impact on helping your child concentrate more effectively on his or her homework.

3. Help When Needed

It’s perfectly acceptable for parents to work with their kids—especially at a young age—when it comes time to do homework and study. Just make sure you are encouraging your child to find the answers to questions him or herself, and not doing the work for your child yourself . Work together, but work toward self-management so your child gets stronger each time.

4. Have a Homework Plan

Approach each homework session with a plan of attack. Help your child make a checklist and stick to it. Include what homework assignments your child has each night and any extra materials needed. Creating structure can be extremely helpful to students. It can also help you make sure your child has what he or she needs for each homework session and keep track of how your child is spending his or her time.

5. Mix Up Subjects

A major factor in distraction is often boredom. A good way to combat that boredom is to switch subject focus every so often. Mixing it up can help keep the mind engaged and focused. If your child has hit his or her limit with math, switch to another assignment. Come back to any unfinished homework questions later and tackle them with a clearer mind.

6. Offer Rewards

If your child just doesn’t want to complete his or her homework, offer him or her a little incentive for getting tasks accomplished. This doesn’t need to be a big reward. A small treat or a trip to the park can be enough to motivate your child to complete his or her homework and move onto other exciting activities.

Concentration is Key!

Concentration and focus are not the easiest techniques for students to master, especially when it comes to homework. However, with these tips you can teach your child how to become better at concentrating on his or her homework. Once your child develops better concentration and homework skills, it’s easy to become an even better student.

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How to minimize distractions while working from home

COVID-19 Survival Guide Series

Work from home devices for developers, home office setup tips for developers, 10 simple team building activities for remote teams, how to land a tech job during covid-19 lockdowns.

This article was written by Vincent Russo , the author of Educative’s beloved course Data Structures and Algorithms in Python . Vincent has a BS, MS, and Ph.D. in computer science and is a full-time security software developer and runs LucidProgramming, a YouTube channel to help individuals improve their software skills and value as developers.

COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the way we live and the way we work. The sudden and unexpected shift of working in a social setting with colleagues to one that is more insular can be jarring depending on your personality and preferences.

This post is for developers who, prior to COVID-19, were working in an office setting and due to the present circumstances, find themselves working remotely.

Much of this post is written from personal experience, and I know this experience is far from unique for many other software developers. I’ve compiled a small list of things that I’ve found useful in making the switch from non-remote to remote work. I hope you can find some value and utility in what follows.

Here are my tips for minimizing distractions:

Prepare your space

Get quality headphones

Separate spaces for separate activities, remote water cooler, schedule your leisure time, wrapping up, maximize your time and upskill while working at home learn in-demand tech skills, without scrubbing through videos. educative’s courses are the ideal place to reskill during the lockdowns. explore how to grow your skillset.

The sudden shift of being displaced from an office with a amenities such as a standing desk, multiple monitors, a coffee machine, and an ergonomic office chair, to a small room with your laptop and a bar stool is not going to do any favors for your posture or your productivity.

While you might not be able to fully recreate all of the perks of the office setting, it will serve you well to invest in the gear that yields the most benefit to your productivity and health.

If you find your working from home environment to be a bit lacking, it’s possible that your work has set aside funding for items you may need like an ergonomic keyboard, chair, desk, etc. If such a policy has not been publicly mentioned, it may be worth reaching out to human resources or your superiors to see if such a budget exists.

To see another post on Educative about some essential devices to have on hand to boost your productivity when working from home, you can check out the post: Work from home devices for developers

Investing in a pair of good quality headphones has many benefits for remote work. If you live with other individuals or near an environment that happens to be noisy for some reason, having a pair of headphones that isolates noise is essential to block out the surrounding environment so you can focus and work effectively.

Furthermore, as everyone else is adapting to the remote lifestyle, conducting and participating in meetings via video chat services will most likely be a non-negligible part of your day. Having a pair of headphones that sits comfortably and provides high audio quality will make wearing the headphones for a prolonged period of time much more enjoyable.

If you find it useful to listen to music while coding as well, the experience of listening to music through a pair of good headphones versus say, a default set of laptop speakers, is much more enjoyable.

I personally use and suggest the Sennheiser HD 280 headphones. They work well at excluding any outside noise, have great audio quality, and they are very positively reviewed by many.

In ones house or apartment, there are rooms that are very clearly designated for very specific activities. The bedroom is primarily for sleeping, the bathroom is primarily for grooming, etc.

If you use your bed as your office and code there, it becomes difficult to know when you should start or stop working. Not to mention that it’s also not ideal for prolonged programming sessions for posture, etc.

Depending on your living situation, you may not have the luxury of having a separate room that you can convert into your own office. There are still other creative things you can do to work within your surroundings.

For instance, even putting something like a bookshelf or separating wall between a bed and desk can give the necessary psychological triggers to switch from “home” mode into “work” mode.

There can be a lot of variance here in terms of specific situations. For instance, you could be living by yourself, be living with housemates, be living at home with family, etc.

In whatever case, especially if you are living with others, it’s important to do your best to establish boundaries and to treat different areas in your space discretely.

While many programmers tend to prefer the introverted lifestyle (myself included here), we are social creatures and from time to time do desire some form of social interaction.

While the impromptu discussions at the water cooler may have once seemed intrusive and perhaps irritating, the lack of such interaction now may be weighing on some.

For those that miss the social interaction, it may be ideal to be proactive in designating a time each day or each week to simulate this type of conversation through some video calling service with other employees.

That way, those who wish to partake in such discussions can freely do so, and those who perhaps wish to abstain from them can freely do so without impeding their ability to grab coffee.

One of the most difficult aspects of working from home for me was knowing when to “switch off”. While having different spaces designated for work can help to solidify the separation, it’s still difficult to make that separation concrete.

As I tend to use my calendar for scheduling my meetings and various tasks throughout the day, I deliberately place in times when I would be partaking in leisure activities.

For me, those activities are things like going for a walk, playing the guitar, or catching up with friends and family.

Ideally, the activity should not involve using your computer or phone as that makes it very tempting to check work messages and flow back into an odd limbo area for work and non-work.

Even if your leisure activity does involve the computer like playing a video game, it should be stressed that you should pursue this leisure activity with the same focus, concentration, and attention that you would give a non leisure task.

This process can seem a bit odd to get into the habit of at first. Typically, if I break this commitment of leisure with myself, I find that while I might continue working into the scheduled “leisure time” that the amount and quality of work does not significantly improve or benefit from my prolonged exposure to it.

Knowing when to step away from a task is a bit of an art, and there isn’t one definitive answer. The value of taking time for yourself makes you feel more rejuvenated and refreshed .

For more tips on work from home productivity, check out Arc’s article Remote Work Productivity Hacks: 31 Best Tips From Experts

I do hope that in going through this post you were able to extract some useful tips. This situation is challenging for us all, but hopefully we can all find a silver lining in the struggle!

A culture that is more accepting of remote work limits the need for large and extravagant tech offices to exist. It limits the need for hours upon hours spent commuting to and from work and gives the employee more control about how they spend their time.

There will always be challenging times, but humans are adaptable. Here’s hoping we adapt to our environment for the better!

If you want to put this extra time at home to use, consider checking out Educative’s courses to grow your skillset. Explore their courses and take on a new technology to maximize your time. There’s a lot to learn, and you have more time than ever to master it!

Happy learning!

Continue learning about productivity

• 10 tips for managing time estimations on coding projects
• How to plan a coding project in 8 easy steps
• What platform is best for eLearning: text vs video lectures

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How do you avoid distractions while working in office?

Here are some ways to avoid distractions while working in the office:

• Avoid multitasking
• Use noise-canceling headphones
• Prioritize tasks
• Use productivity tools
• Take regular breaks
• Keep your surroundings organized
• Practice mindfulness

How do you overcome online distractions?

To overcome online distractions, try the following:

• Set specific and focused goals for your tasks
• Turn off non-essential notifications on your devices
• Create a dedicated, distraction-free workspace
• Schedule regular breaks to recharge and reduce online fatigue

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How to avoid home-working distractions

We unveil the best methods to use if you want to avoid procrastination at home

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The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth in remote and hybrid working , with more people than ever now spending at least some of their working hours at home.

There are loads of advantages to home working, so it’s no wonder it’s been embraced by many employees . It’s more convenient, it can reduce your carbon footprint, and studies have shown that it can make people happier and more productive.

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There’s no denying that it comes with challenges, though, from isolation to unreliable internet connections. The biggest problem, though, are the distractions you’ll face along the way – because our homes are filled with all the things we actually enjoy.

If you’re worried about that, deploy these nine tips. They’ll stop you from getting distracted when you’re working at home. And you don’t have to go far for more home-working help, either: we’ve got top tips for creating a productive working environment and a guide to building a better morning routine .

Create boundaries 

If you start your home-working days by lazing on the sofa or sitting at the dining table then you’re going to be more prone to distractions. Instead, you should use a different environment for your work so your brain gets the same signals as it would do if you went into the office.

For some people this will be a home office or a spare bedroom, and that’s great – it means you can have a dedicated workspace where your brain is ready to be productive. It keeps you away from the electronic devices and snacks that prove distracting throughout the day, too.

If you aren’t able to have a separate room, consider creating curtains with sheets or removing distracting items from the area where you will be working – those methods still work well when it comes to creating boundaries between your work venue and the rest of your life.

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Tweak your smartphone

Many of us are constantly distracted by our phones, and that’s no surprise when so much of our lives is managed through those tiny screens – and when they spend all day pinging.

If you reach for your smartphone too often during the working day, use its various do not disturb options during your working hours so you’re not distracted with notifications, messages or calls. Adjust the settings to let important stuff through the net, and you’ll be good to go. And if you really want to remove distractions from your smartphone, consider turning off certain notifications permanently or consider uninstalling particular apps.

Take breaks 

If you sit at your desk for hours, hammering away at your keyboard, your attention will waver and you’ll be more susceptible to distractions. If you want to reduce the chances of that happening, make sure you step away from your work for regular breaks.

A break every hour or two will give your brain a chance to rest and refresh – and it could give you a chance to give in to some of those distractions for a brief period. Giving yourself a break and the opportunity to do something fun and different will reset your brain and allow you to be more focused and productive when you get back to your desk.

Schedule your communications

It’s not just phones that spend all day pinging – email applications and communication software does it, too. And if you want to stop being distracted by those apps, consider disabling their notifications for most of your day and only allowing yourself certain windows of time to manage your communication instead.

You might assign five minutes every hour to email and messages, or you could schedule an hour at the end of the day to tackle all those missives. But, no matter how you do it, if you restrict the amount of time you devote to email and instant messaging you’ll be more productive and less distracted throughout your day.

Start the day right

Avoiding distractions doesn’t just mean taking the right steps during the working day – it can start from when you wake up. If you have a consistent and effective morning routine then your brain will be more alert and focused throughout the day, and you’ll be less susceptible to procrastination.

An effective morning routine will look different for everybody, of course, but the best ones tend to involve some healthy food, some exercise, a shower and some clean clothes alongside some mindfulness work like meditation. If you can take those steps you’ll give yourself a better chance of dodging distractions for the next eight hours.

Keep your place clean

We’ve already mentioned that it’s important to have a dedicated working space if you want to avoid distractions, but it’s not just about having that spot at home – it’s got to be clean and tidy, too. If you keep the space neat, free of clutter and full of natural light and plants, your brain will respond accordingly, with better concentration and focus.

Worried that your working day will be derailed by your TV or games console? There’s an easy step you can take to lower the chances of these distractions playing on your mind – unplug them from the wall. If you take that extra step first thing in the morning, you’ll be less likely to head over for a quick blast of your favorite game when work slows down. And if you’re really serious about avoiding distractions, consider putting your gaming laptop or console away in a drawer or cupboard until you’re done with work – because if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.  

Be stricter with your schedule

A productive, distraction-free workday doesn’t just mean scheduling time for your communications – you’ve got to be strict elsewhere.

Make sure that you prioritize difficult or important tasks for the morning when your brain is fresh, and avoid multi-tasking if possible – that makes it harder to maintain focus and can lead to a higher risk of procrastination. You're less likely to get distracted if you create a schedule with blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks.

Take care of yourself

You can implement every self-care tip and anti-distraction strategy you can imagine but, sometimes, they’re not going to be enough. If you’re tired or run down, it can be good to give in to distractions, leisure activities and rest – because if you keep trying to work, the situation will just get worse and you’ll be at risk of serious burnout.

Ultimately, you won’t be focused or productive if you're too tired. If you need to, give in to home working distractions now to ensure better concentration later.

How to work from home: everything you need for remote working .

Mike has worked as a technology journalist for more than a decade and has written for most of the UK’s big technology titles alongside numerous global outlets. He loves PCs, laptops and any new hardware, and covers everything from the latest business trends to high-end gaming gear.

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How to Minimize Distractions

10 ways to take control of your day.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

"So, what did you do at the weekend?" begins the water cooler conversation. It can feel like some welcome downtime from your intense workload during a busy day, but time flies and, 15 minutes later, you realize that you're late for a meeting with your manager. And the stress returns.

Sometimes, it seems as though our workplaces have been designed to break our focus. Even when you're "snowed under" with work, you'll still likely check your emails regularly, read customers' Twitter comments, or – even though your manager would disapprove – surf the internet for cheap vacation flights.

Dr Gloria Mark, Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine, says that distractions such as these are both stressful and costly. She's found that it takes an average of 23 minutes for a person to fully regain his or her focus on a task after being distracted. [1]

The Overload Research Group – a collection of academic and corporate researchers dedicated to reducing the amount of information that people have to deal with – has found that U.S. workers waste about 25 percent of their time dealing with "an incessant stream of data," losing their employers a staggering $997 billion a year . [2]

In this article, we'll identify the 10 most common distractions that we face at work, and examine strategies for managing them, or even eliminating them altogether.

1. How to Avoid Distractions From Technology

Our smartphones – and now smartwatches – have blurred the line between personal and professional communication. We can now receive work emails and phone calls on the same device as private Facebook comments, Instagram photos, and an array of other personal information.

Given such technology's addictive nature, policies to control their use at work are rarely effective, as it's hard to enforce rules about what people can look at on their own devices.

It's usually more helpful if individuals understand and manage the challenge themselves. For example, you and your colleagues could agree to put away your phones for a certain time during the day, to help you to focus on a particular piece of work.

2. Email-Management Strategies to Keep You Focused

Many of the emails in our inboxes are not particularly important. However, we often feel the need to look at them as soon as they arrive. So, here are five ways to manage those messages so that they don't take you away from important tasks.

• Schedule checking time – Turn off the alert that appears on your computer screen when you receive an email, and check and respond to messages at set times of the day. Give yourself a maximum of 30 minutes for each session. Manage your co-workers', manager's and customers' expectations about how and when you will reply to them.
• Choose "low productivity" times – There are likely certain times of day when you do your best work , maybe in the morning or maybe late at night. Schedule an email check-in for your less productive times, and save your peak hours for high-value work.
• Turn emails into actions – If you need more than a few minutes to read or reply to an email, add it to your Action Program or To-Do List.
• Use the trash – Don't keep emails forever. If you do, you run the risk of losing sight of the important ones as your inbox grows, and of your inbox becoming harder and harder to manage. Once you've replied to them, put the ones that you don't need in the trash, and archive or file the ones that you want to keep.
• Smartphone syncing – Try redirecting your email to your smartphone, to help you to free up your computer from distractions. Then apply the advice we've given above to your personal device.

Take a look at our articles, 10 Common Email Mistakes and Overcoming Information Overload , and listen to Mike Song on Managing Email for more on this type of distraction.

3. How to Stay in Control of Social Media

Social media offers us new ways of communicating with unprecedented numbers of people. It can also be a productivity killer, taking our attention away from work tasks and breaking our concentration.

Organizations can no longer just block people's access to websites that aren't work-related – smartphones can get around this, as they operate on cellular networks independent of any work-based internet access. So, people must be gently encouraged to use social media responsibly, so that their productivity and focus aren't affected.

A study by Myrian Herlle and Vivian Astray-Caneda, of Florida International University, recommends that organizations apply Adams' Equity Theory to explain to team members the serious impact on output of excessive social media use. [3]

Try tracking your own social media activity over the course of a week, and noting down just how much time you spend on these sites during work hours. Then, schedule a few moments each day for posting updates or answering messages.

4. Managing Instant Messaging (IM)

Many workplaces use an IM platform to keep team members in touch with one another. However, it can also be a source of distraction, thanks to non-essential notifications and emojis.

Get into the habit of Using IM for small, quick queries only, not for conversations. Resist the pressure to reply instantly, and consider setting specific times during the day when your status is "online."

5. Limiting Online Distractions

Reading the latest headlines, checking sports scores, and ordering new clothes online (even for the office) can easily steal 30 minutes of our time, as well as often being a breach of workplace rules.

Turning off access to the internet isn't normally an option, as organizations are increasingly using cloud-based software that requires an internet connection to work fully. But, you can install blocking software, such as Freedom , to help you to decide which websites or content you want to block for yourself.

If it's acceptable within your organization, use a brief personal browsing session as a reward for an hour or two of high-quality, focused work. The Pomodoro Technique could help you with this approach.

6. Limiting Distractions on the Phone

The ring of a phone often prompts an intense need to answer, even if we're deep in concentration. To minimize this source of distraction for you and your team, consider arranging a rota so that team members can take calls for one another. They can use IM to check if people are able to deal with the call.

If you don't want to turn off your personal phone because of family concerns, pre-program some quick text replies, such as "In a meeting – will return your call ASAP." You can also explain to friends and family that you will only be available for calls at lunchtime or in the evening.

7. Staying Focused in the Office

Rather than trying to ignore such distractions as strong cooking smells or loud colleagues, get away from the problem. Set yourself up in an empty meeting room to regain your focus. Wear noise-canceling headphones, or play "white noise," to blank out anything that would otherwise grab your attention.

Some people are much more easily distracted than others. Take a look at our articles on Managing Highly Sensitive People and ADHD in the Workplace to find out more.

8. Staying Organized and Keeping on Task

Always try to have a manageable to-do list . Having one that's too long can lead to procrastination , as you wonder which task to tackle next. Commit to accomplishing the two most important tasks on your list today, and put the rest on hold until tomorrow.

If you discover that you are frequently dealing with urgent but unplanned enquiries, try to dig deeper into these issues and use problem solving techniques to uncover their underlying cause . Addressing this should help you to minimize the disruption, or even eliminate it altogether.

Remember, you're part of a team, so ask your co-workers to share the load in busy periods. If you're a manager, learn to delegate effectively .

You might manage someone who allows themself to get distracted too easily. Encourage them to identify and tackle the root causes of this behavior, and to develop better habits .

9. How to Stop Other People From Distracting You

Unless you're part of a virtual team, colleagues visiting your desk could be a big source of distraction. But, you're also a manager who wants to be available for your team members.

So, if you don't want to be disturbed at times when you need to focus on a task, consider working at home, or in a conference room, as a way to avoid inadvertently inviting interruptions. If you have your own office, close the door and tell your team that you need to be left alone to concentrate for a while.

In an open plan office, make your workspace less hospitable by removing extra chairs, or standing up when a colleague arrives.

If you have a frequent disrupter, talk to them about the problem, as they might not even realize that they're distracting you.

Our article, Managing Interruptions , offers more help in this area.

10. Keeping Your Mind and Body Focused

You're going to need a lot of mental and physical energy to juggle your priorities, manage visitors, and have the discipline to control your use of technology. So, it's vital that you take care of yourself.

Many people don't get enough sleep because of the distractions of technology at home, so employ best practice there too.

Dehydration can make you feel tired and impact your thinking, so try to drink plenty of water. Get some fresh air and take a brisk walk during the day – both will energize you. Try to avoid heavy lunches and sugar-laden snacks, as they can lead to a slump in concentration later in the day.

Research suggests that you can improve your performance and general time management by acknowledging that some distractions are inevitable and preparing for them . [4]

We all face distractions every day. They lower our productivity and increase our stress. Think about what distracts you the most during your working day, and technology will likely be high on the list.

Try to adopt new habits to help you to control your distractors. Carefully assess your phone, messaging and email usage, and limit the time that you spend on social media.

Make it clear to people when you don't want to be disturbed, or get away from distracting environments to find somewhere quiet to work. Keep your To-Do Lists concise and manageable.

Implementing these measures should mean that you, and your team members, get more done.

[1] Pattison, K. (2008). Worker, Interrupted: The Cost of Task Switching [online]. Available here . [Accessed August 23, 2022.]

[2] Spira, J. B. (2011). ' Overload! How Too Much Information Is Hazardous to Your Organization ,' New Jersey: Wiley. p6.

[3] Herlle, M. and Astray-Caneda, V. (2013). 'The Impact of Social Media in the Workplace,' Florida International University , p67-73. Available here .

[4] Sullivan, B. and Thompson, H. (2013). Brain, Interrupted [online]. Available here . [Accessed August 23, 2022.]

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How to Reduce Everyday Distractions

Last Updated: October 8, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Rahti Gorfien, PCC . Rahti Gorfien is a Life Coach and the Founder of Creative Calling Coaching, LLC. She specializes in working with artists, entrepreneurs, and college students in creative fields. Rahti is accredited as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coach Federation, an ACCG Accredited ADHD Coach by the ADD Coach Academy, and a Career Specialty Services Provider (CSS). In addition, she has personal experience in the fields she coaches - she is an alumnus of the New York University Graduate Acting program and has been a working theater artist for over 30 years. She was voted one of the 15 Best Life Coaches in New York City by Expertise in 2018. This article has been viewed 24,766 times.

Being distracted in your everyday life can make it challenging to get things done and follow through on your commitments. One 2014 review from Frontiers in Psychology suggests that frequent distractions can disrupt your ability to recall details, identify sounds, and even perceive objects when you look at them. [1] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Needless to say, that’s a problem if you’re trying to be productive! If you’re looking to get back on the right track, you’re in the right place. We’ll walk you through a variety of ways you can cut down on the noise so that you can focus on what’s important.

Creating a Quiet, Distraction-Free Space

• You may also adjust your existing work environment to make it more quiet. This may mean making sure your door is closed when you are working or adjusting your cubicle so it is more secluded and away from others.
• You may also move your space to an area that is more quiet and private, such as an office space in your home or apartment.

• You should also keep all your books, pens, and paper in your work space. Have your computer set up in the space and a chair that is comfortable for you to sit in.

• You may add an ergonomic feature to your work space, such as a support pad for your hands while you type on the computer or an ergonomic mouse. You can also get a chair that supports your lower back so you are not distracted by any back or spine issues while you work.

Blocking Out Everyday Distractions

• You may also try setting a timer on your phone and putting it somewhere you can’t see it. Once the timer is up, you are then allowed to check your phone. This can help you avoid checking your phone too often.

• When you switch off your wifi connection, you may let others know around you and advise them to communicate with you in person if they need something. This will signal to others that you are going to be offline and focused on other things for a period of time.

• If you cannot seem to control your use of social media and email, you may try shutting off your wifi connection completely for several hours in the day. Or you may give your smartphone to a friend to prevent you from checking it too often while you are working.

• Try putting up a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door or keep your door closed. You can also instruct others around you that if your door is closed, they should knock first before entering so you are not disturbed.
• You may text your friends and let them know you are busy doing school work or work at the office so they leave you alone for a period of time. Or you may send out an email to others letting them know that you will not be checking email for a specific period of time so you can focus.

Staying Focused on Tasks and Goals

• Ensure that what you are focusing on matches what you truly desire in regards to your life purpose and goals, as this can help to foster passion and drive to continue on.

• You may order the list based on the most important tasks to the least important tasks. Or you may try ordering the list based on the smallest task to the largest task. This way, you can get the smaller tasks out of the way quickly and have enough time to get to the larger ones.
• For example, you may have the task "do homework" at the top of your list of tasks, followed by "clean room." Or you may put "get emails done" at the top of your list, followed by "organize desk."
• Block out time in your calendar to complete each task as if it were a scheduled meeting or other appointment. This could be as simple as when you will return phone calls, or respond to emails, rather than responding to them immediately as they come in.

• For example, you may have “finish book report” and “do chores” on your list. Start by focusing on finishing your book report first. Once that’s done, shift your focus to doing your chores.

• You may use your breaks to surfing the internet, go on social media, or chat with a friend. Once the downtime is up, make sure you shift your focus back to your list of tasks.

• For example, you may visualize yourself in your work space, checking off the tasks on your list and avoiding distractions. Or you may visualize yourself completing a particular task, such as typing up a paper on your computer or completing your household chores on time.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4114291/
• ↑ Rahti Gorfien, PCC. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 17 December 2019.
• ↑ https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/distractions.htm
• ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2013/aug/05/working-from-home-distractions-tips-focus
• ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-critical-tips-prevent-distraction-and-sharpen-your-focus.html
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-happiness-project/201003/how-unplug-technology

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How to Avoid Distractions at Work

• Michelle O'Hagan
• September 22, 2023

Distractions at work can be a productivity killer. In fact, the average worker experiences 15 interruptions per hour worked, which means they are getting distracted every four minutes, and 40% of knowledge workers do not have a single opportunity to focus for a continuous 30-minute period during their workday.

While we can’t always control our work environment, there are strategies we can implement to minimize distractions. Here, we’ll explore the common types of distractions in the workplace and offer practical tips to help you stay on task. We’ll discuss the importance of planning your day, managing notifications and interruptions effectively, setting boundaries for personal communication during work hours, and why multitasking can be a distraction. Additionally, we’ll cover how to create an effective work environment by replacing noise with calming sounds for better focus and implementing time blocks to boost productivity. Lastly, we’ll address the role of health in reducing distractions and explain why taking regular breaks is essential for staying focused.

Understanding Workplace Distractions

Identifying common distractions that hinder productivity is crucial in understanding workplace distractions. The impact of distractions on work performance cannot be underestimated. Research shows that the average employee gets interrupted 50 to 60 times per day, with about 80% of these interruptions being unimportant. According to a Udemy survey , the most common distractions for workers include chatty coworkers (80%), office noise (70%), feeling overwhelmed by changes at work (61%), meetings (60%), and social media (56%). It’s interesting to note that people do not immediately resume their tasks after being interrupted 40% of the time.

Common Types of Distractions in a Work Environment

• Meetings : Too many meetings kill productivity, and pointless meetings leave employees feeling resentful and overwhelmed
• Email : Email overload can disrupt workflow, so managing a flood of emails is crucial.
• Social Media : Social media temptations can be hard to resist, and constantly checking platforms like Twitter and Facebook can lead to less time dedicated to work. One study even estimated that logging onto social media costs the United States economy $650 billion due to its significant distraction for the workforce.
• Text Messages : Minimizing distractions caused by constant text notifications is important, as is limiting time spent on non-work-related online browsing.
• Noise : Workplace noise can also be a significant distraction, so finding ways to reduce or block out office sounds is essential.
• Interruptions : Co-workers and customers are the chief sources of interruptions throughout the workday.

What are some effective strategies for avoiding distractions at work?

Some effective strategies for avoiding distractions at work include creating a dedicated workspace, setting clear boundaries with colleagues, using productivity tools and apps, prioritizing tasks and setting goals, practicing time management techniques, and taking regular breaks to recharge.

Plan Your Day

Planning your day is crucial when it comes to avoiding distractions at work. By prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, you can ensure that you stay focused on what truly matters. Breaking down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks not only makes them more achievable but also helps to prevent overwhelm. Utilizing to-do lists or digital task management tools can help you stay organized and keep track of your progress. Remember to regularly review and adjust your schedule as needed to stay on track and maintain efficiency.

Manage Notifications and Interruptions

To avoid distractions at work, it’s important to manage notifications and interruptions . One way to do this is by disabling non-essential notifications that can divert your attention. Additionally, scheduling specific times to check and respond to emails and messages can help you stay focused on your tasks. Utilizing tools or apps that allow you to control and filter incoming notifications can also be helpful in minimizing distractions. Setting boundaries with colleagues regarding the timing and frequency of interruptions is another effective strategy. Finally, using headphones or white noise can block out background noise and help you maintain your focus.

Set Boundaries for Personal Communication During Work Hours

Clearly communicate the importance of uninterrupted work time to friends and family. Establish specific periods for personal calls or messages during breaks to maintain focus. Utilize features such as “Do Not Disturb” on your phone or messaging apps to minimize interruptions. Practice self-discipline to avoid personal distractions during work hours. By setting boundaries, you can optimize your productivity and maintain the quality of your work.

Create an Effective Work Environment

To create a productive work environment, optimize your physical workspace for better focus and efficiency. Minimize clutter and ensure an organized setup that promotes a clear mind. Adequate lighting and comfortable seating are essential to reduce discomfort and maintain concentration. Personalize your workspace with elements that inspire creativity while avoiding distractions. Keep your workspace clean and free from unnecessary items or interruptions. By setting up an effective work environment, you can enhance the quality of your work and minimize distractions throughout the day.

Replace Noise with Silence

Numerous studies have shown that noise can significantly impact productivity, concentration, and creativity levels in the workplace. In fact, one study discovered that 69% of global employees experience negative effects from noise distractions. To combat this, consider incorporating ambient or white noise to enhance your concentration. Calming sounds or instrumental music can also help drown out distracting noises. Experiment with noise-canceling headphones to block external sounds or create a playlist of focus-enhancing music or sounds. Ultimately, finding the right balance between silence and background noise is important for improving your focus and productivity throughout the workday.

Implement Time Blocks to Boost Productivity

To enhance your productivity at work, consider implementing time blocks . Allocate specific periods for different tasks or project phases based on their priority. During your peak productivity periods, focus on high-value tasks that require more attention. Utilize time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique , breaking your work into intervals with short breaks in between. Set realistic deadlines and allocate buffer time for unexpected challenges. Regularly evaluate and adjust your time blocks to optimize productivity. By implementing time blocks, you can effectively manage your workload and increase your productivity throughout the workday.

The Role of Health in Reducing Distractions

The constant distractions at work not only make people less productive but also contribute to increased stress levels. According to the American Institute of Stress , a lack of control over one’s work is a major contributor to workplace stress. To reduce distractions, prioritize your health in the following ways:

• Get enough sleep to improve focus and productivity.
• Taking care of your mental health helps maintain a clear mind.
• Prioritize exercise and healthy eating to sustain energy levels throughout the workday.
• Implement stress management techniques to stay calm and focused.
• Schedule regular breaks to prevent burnout and increase productivity.

The Importance of Breaks and Downtime

Contrary to popular belief, taking breaks can actually enhance productivity. By understanding the science behind work-break balance and engaging in effective break activities, you can reenergize and maintain focus throughout the day. Research has shown that our brains have a limited capacity to sustain attention and focus. Taking periodic breaks allows us to replenish mental resources, resulting in improved concentration and overall performance.

Here are some activities that can help you recharge and maintain a productive mindset:

• Physical movement: Stretch, take a short walk, or engage in a quick exercise routine to boost blood flow and increase alertness.
• Relaxation exercises: Practice deep breathing, meditation, or other relaxation techniques to reduce stress and enhance focus.
• Social interaction: Engage in brief conversations with friends or coworkers, as socializing can provide a mental break and combat feelings of isolation.

How Quiet Works Can Help

Now that you have a better understanding of workplace distractions and effective strategies to minimize their impact, it’s time to implement a personalized action plan to stay focused and achieve your professional goals. Regularly assess your progress and evaluate what is working and what needs improvement. Adapt your action plan based on your observations and make adjustments as necessary.

At the Quiet Workplace, our core principles will guide the creation of new practices in your day to provide moments and places for quiet. Our Quiet Works programs teach you how to prioritize quiet time to think and plan; rest and restore; review and reset; fuel insight and innovation; regain calm and concentrate; discover what’s human and more humane.

The Quiet Workplace is changing the way people think about “quiet” at work. Quiet shouldn’t be an unexpected surprise; it should be an important, scheduled part of every single day. By implementing these strategies and remaining mindful of the common distractions that can derail your focus, you can reclaim control over your workday and optimize your productivity. Remember, avoiding distractions is an ongoing effort, but with persistence and intentionality, you can create a work environment that allows you to thrive.

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Lose Anxiety, Live Life

You can reduce anxiety by understanding bodily sensations and not fearing them..

Posted April 17, 2024 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• What Is Anxiety?
• Find counselling to overcome anxiety
• Severe or persistent anxiety is debilitating because it interferes with work, school, and social life.
• Anxiety is typically treated using calming techniques involving distraction and cognitive behavioral therapy.
• But when anxiety is intense, one should notice, deeply feel, and understand bodily sensations, not fear them.

Living With an Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders are prevalent today. Generalized anxiety disorder, social phobias, and performance fears are on the rise, at least in part because we face a rapidly changing, high-tech, and fast-paced society. Anxiety disorders are characterized by a range of symptoms—constant worry, feelings of dread, restlessness, avoidance behavior, unexpected panic attacks, and various specific fears.

Anxiety disorders are debilitating: They affect job performance, interfere with studying and learning, and make it hard to navigate interpersonal relationships. Some people turn to unhelpful substances to control anxiety, i.e., smoking , drugs, and alcohol —but these unhealthy behaviors contribute to the poor quality of life in those who suffer from severe anxiety. There are healthier ways to stop ongoing worry.

Toss Away Irrational Thoughts

Do you believe that you or a significant person in your life is in a dangerous situation? People with anxiety often have distorted beliefs that a threat is looming.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered one of the most effective methods to combat anxiety. I know this personally because I have used CBT to help adults and teens in my clinic. In a nutshell, CBT re-evaluates anxiety-provoking situations as something that are not what they seem and certainly not worth giving a moment’s thought about. A review of research studies has shown that any type of psychotherapy that involves challenging negative thought patterns is probably more cost-effective than prescribed medications for treating anxiety disorders (Ophuis et al., 2017).

Try Healthy Distraction Techniques

Not everyone is able to self-correct bad thoughts. Physiological worry can be so intense that no amount of positive or rational thinking can get people with anxiety to a better place. Think about the times you were overwhelmed by uncomfortable feelings. What did anxiety feel like inside your mind and body?

Anxious distress is something all of us experience at one time or another when we entertain catastrophic thoughts about the future. Physiological distress occurs during a panic attack. Anyone can be affected by intense internal sensations, even if you have never been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. A typical response is to run away from unpleasant feelings. But rather than relying on drugs, booze, and junk food that are bad for your body, you can try many healthy behaviors to restore calm and peace.

The following are a few examples of good distraction techniques to ward off anxiety: abdominal or deep breathing, listening to your favorite music, physical activity like swimming or pickleball, walking in nature, calling or texting a good friend, petting your dog or cat, and so on.

Calming methods allow you to take your mind away from internal sensations and negative thoughts, at least for a while. They may not eliminate anxiety forever. Sometimes, anxiety re-appears soon after distracting ourselves from it.

So, what is the ideal way to get rid of anxiety? Feel the feelings (or, as it is sometimes called, riding out the wave of anxiety ) is a strategy I recommend if you want to tone down intense anxiety for good.

Feel the Feelings: a Five-Step Technique

Generally speaking, people are reluctant to ride out the wave of anxiety. Most think it is impossible to sit with uncomfortable sensations. But let me tell you: It does work, and it has long-standing positive effects. It works well despite the initial uneasiness it produces. Therefore, let’s invest time learning this five-step strategy to have better control of strong feelings and ultimately lose that anxiety. For more details, refer to Chapter 11 in my self-help book, Alone Time: Embracing Solitude for Health and Well-Being (Geldart, 2024).

1. Find some personal space.

For this strategy to work well, try to avoid social venues or critical tasks like doing work or caregiving . Look for a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions.

2. Visually scan for danger.

Focus attention on your immediate physical surroundings. Move your head from side to side and visually scan for threats. This is a simple way to discover that all is well. You will see that you are panicking about something that is not actually a threat to your survival.

3. Understand your body’s alarm system.

Animals have an internal alarm system that keeps us safe. And even when there is no actual threat, the human brain thinks about possible problems (too much for our own good!) and thereby informs the body that danger exists. Either way—whether a real threat exists or one merely perceives it does—the result is a chain of physiological reactions and chemical changes in the body.

A big feature of the body’s alarm system is sudden, rapid breathing combined with a pounding heart—the good old sympathetic nervous system working as it should. Oxygen travels quickly to muscle tissue for speed of movement and strength. The digestive system quiets down in order to shift energy to the cardiovascular system; an unfortunate by-product of this is suddenly getting a pit in the stomach or having nausea. Body temperature fluctuates to avoid overheating during the fight-or-flight response, which results in the experience of chills and/or heat sensations. The widening of the pupils and hypervigilance help to scout danger, but they also produce uncomfortable effects, such as dizziness and poor concentration .

Below are common sympathetic nervous system responses. As you experience them, remember that these actions have the purpose of helping you—not hurting you. For helping me describe this process as a biologically adaptive response, I give credit to the pioneering work of David Barlow and his associates at the Phobia and Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Albany, New York.

• Feeling tense or restless
• Faster heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Trembling or chills
• Feeling muscular tiredness
• Feeling mentally exhausted
• Having trouble concentrating
• Stomach upset

4. Carry on—just feel the feelings.

Do not be afraid of these normal physiological changes. Remember, your brain just told your body that you are in a threatening situation, even when this is not the case. You are safe. No worries.

Continue to stay with uncomfortable internal sensations until they subside. They will not escalate to infinity. You will need to wait until additional changes occur to bring your body back to a normal state, which is called homeostasis in biological terms. It might take a while to calm down, so be patient.

The idea of focusing on what is happening in your body is not new. For over 2,500 years, Buddhist practices have involved moving attention around the body in a deliberate manner. These practices originated to help people learn to accept suffering, grief , and anxiety in a non-judgmental way. This is what you are doing when you ride out the wave of anxiety; that is, feel the feelings.

5. End the exercise when anxiety subsides.

Eventually, you will no longer feel distress. If you start feeling bored , then this is a good sign because it means your body has adapted. You have taken control and changed your internal state from bad to neutral. Give yourself a gentle squeeze for your bravery in trying something new and helpful to lose anxiety and live a full life again.

Geldart, S. (2024). Alone Time. Embracing solitude for health and well-being . Summer Hill, Australia: Rockpool Publishing.

Ophuis, R.H., Lokkerbol, J., Heemskerk, S.C., van Balkom, A.J., Hiligsmann, M., & Evers, S.M. (2017). Cost-effectiveness of interventions for treating anxiety disorders: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 210 , 1-13.

Sybil Geldart, Ph.D., is an associate professor of psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University (Ontario, Canada), with research interests broadly based in human development and health psychology.

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How To Use Your iPhone To Improve Your Daily Routines

S martphones can be a big drain on productivity, and those frequent breaks for texting, gaming, or scrolling through social media add up throughout the day. However, your smartphone can be helpful to stay on track with your schedule and stay ahead of your to-do list.

The iPhone comes with several apps and features that can maximize your productivity, but they're not always used to their full potential. For example, the Wallet app on your iPhone can be used to store IDs, credit and debit cards, and event tickets, making it a digital replacement for your real wallet. If you're easily distracted, your iPhone's Focus modes can help you silence unwanted notifications and notify other people that you're busy.

The Calendar and Reminders apps on your iPhone are also great tools to get your daily tasks done and make sure you don't ever miss another appointment, provided you take advantage of all the features they offer. While you can optimize your iPhone for productivity and focus , making use of its inbuilt apps and features will also help you to improve your daily routines.

Read more: The 10 Worst Smartphones Of All Time

Use The Reminders App To Manage Your To-Do List

The iPhone's Reminders app is a powerful tool that can help you check off items on your to-do list. You can set daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or one-time reminders to take medication or vitamins , pay bills, or schedule doctor checkups. After setting a due date and time for your reminder, you can also enable location-based alerts by tapping the location icon. You can choose to be alerted when you're near a specific location or when you get in or out of your car.

The Reminders app also has an inbuilt lists feature you may not know about. The lists feature in Reminders is a useful way to keep your life organized and a great tool for planning a vacation or party. 

Open the Reminders app and tap Add List in the bottom right corner to get started. Once you add a list name and choose a list type, you can begin adding individual reminders to your list. These can be listed as items, or you can add a due date to them for maximum efficiency. You can drag one list onto another to group them or share lists with other people. Sharing lists is a great way for family members to get shared tasks done. You can also enable notifications for when someone completes an item in a shared list.

Use The Wallet App Instead Of Your Physical Wallet

With Apple Pay and the Wallet app, you no longer need to carry a physical wallet. The app is a single home for your debit and credit cards, personal identification like a driver's license or state ID, public transport cards, and tickets for flights and events. Since the Wallet app works with the iPhone and Apple Watch, you can set up Apple Pay across your devices , making contactless payments is easy. Apple says , "Apple Pay is accepted at over 85% of retailers in the U.S.," so you should be able to safely leave your debit and credit cards at home.

The Wallet app can also be used to present your ID at venues like bars, concerts, and festivals, pass through airport security (only select TSA checkpoints), or verify your age and ID when renting a car or ordering alcohol online. The Wallet app also supports employee IDs and student IDs.

To make your daily life easier to manage, add flight tickets, concert tickets, Airbnb passes, and more to Apple Wallet. You can even use the Wallet app as your home key, hotel room key, and even your car key with compatible smart locks and vehicles.

Use A Focus Mode To Minimize Distractions

The iPhone's Do Not Disturb feature prevents unwanted calls, messages, and notifications, but you can take advantage of its full potential by enabling a specific Focus. When set up, a Focus can silence notifications to help you concentrate on a particular task, such as when you're driving, working, studying, or sleeping.

The easiest way to enable a Focus on your iPhone is by opening Control Center, tapping Focus, and selecting which Focus you want to enable. If you don't have specific Focus modes set up, you can do this in the Settings app. Each Focus can be customized to allow only specific people and apps to send you notifications. You can also schedule a Focus to automatically turn on and customize app filters. 

In Focus settings, if you enable Share Focus Status on your iPhone , apps like Messages will let your contacts know that your notifications have been silenced.

Set Up Automations With The Home App

The Home app on your iPhone can automate and control HomeKit and Matter-enabled accessories. There are many useful things that work with HomeKit , such as plugs, outlets, locks, garage doors, smoke detectors, and window blinds, to name a few. If you have multiple smart home accessories, you can set up Scenes in the Home app that automatically turn on based on your location or the time of day.

For example, you can set up a Night scene that locks the front door, closes the shades, and sets the thermostat to a specific temperature. Similarly, you can set up an Arrive scene to detect when you or a family member comes home, unlock the front door, and turn on the heat and lights.

You can also set up security cameras that support Apple's HomeKit Secure architecture and send you a notification if they recognize someone or a package is left at your door. You'll need a smart home hub to control your home remotely, such as an Apple TV 4K or HomePod speaker.

You can also invite other family members or roommates to share control of your home, letting them control accessories remotely or even add and edit accessories.

Keep Track Of Your Day With Apple Calendar

The Calendar app on your iPhone can be used for more than just scheduling work meetings. You can use the app to map out your entire day to keep tabs on all your meetings and events and ensure you're always on time.

Apple lets you add multiple calendars to your Calendar app so you can have a mix of work and personal calendars displayed in one place. You can log events like birthdays, weddings, playdates, doctor's appointments, and more using the app. You can add two alerts for each event, which is useful if you need more than one reminder.

There's an option to add a location for an event, which will even factor in travel time on your Apple Calendar  and remind you when it's time to leave based on traffic conditions. If you enable Siri Suggestions, Siri will look through your apps like Messages, Mail, WhatsApp, and more and suggest events you might want to add to your Calendar. You can tap a Siri Suggestion and view its source URL to see the specific message it was picked up from. You can then choose to add it to your calendar or ignore it.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

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Connectivity, life quality.

Moscow, on the Moskva River in western Russia, is the nation’s cosmopolitan capital. In its historic core is the Kremlin, a complex that’s home to the president and tsarist treasures in the Armoury. Outside its walls is Red Square, Russia’s symbolic center. It’s home to Lenin’s Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum’s comprehensive collection, and St. Basil’s Cathedral, known for its colorful, onion-shaped domes.

Once Moscow started to revive its legend and cultural gem, the number of visitors to VDNKh has been rapidly increasing to reach around 25 million people annually. In 2018, it saw the record-breaking 30 million guests! During its 80-year history, the exhibition was called in different ways: VSKhV, VDNKh, and VVTs. Its original purpose was to demonstrate the achievements of the national economy to Muscovites and numerous Moscow guests. However, today it has become a Grand Centre of leisure, education, and culture.

Examples of Smart City Development in Moscow:

• Implementation of a unified Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that integrates various modes of transportation, including public transport, private vehicles, and bicycles, to provide a seamless and efficient travel experience for citizens.
• Deployment of a network of smart sensors and devices that collect and analyze data on traffic flow, air quality, noise pollution, and other environmental factors to help city officials make informed decisions and improve the quality of life for residents.
• Creation of digital platforms and services, such as e-government portals, online payment systems, and mobile apps, that enable citizens to access information and services quickly and easily, anytime and anywhere.

Companies and their Results Moscow smart city strategy:

• Yandex, the leading Russian search engine and technology company, has developed a number of smart transportation solutions in Moscow, including a ride-sharing service called Yandex.Taxi, a car-sharing service called Yandex.Drive, and a public transport planning tool called Yandex.Transport.
• Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, has partnered with Moscow authorities to deploy 5G networks and other advanced technologies to support the city’s smart city initiatives. The company has also established a research and development center in Moscow to focus on AI and other emerging technologies.

Statistics in Numbers:

• According to the Moscow Department of Information Technology, the city has installed more than 200,000 smart devices and sensors to monitor traffic, air quality, and other environmental factors.
• The Moscow Metro, which carries more than 7 million passengers per day, has implemented a smart ticketing system that allows commuters to pay for rides with their smartphones.
• Moscow’s e-government portal, which provides access to more than 500 online services, has registered more than 18 million users since its launch in 2011.

Interesting Facts:

• Moscow was ranked as the 9th smartest city in the world in 2020, according to the IESE Cities in Motion Index.
• The city has launched a number of smart city pilot projects, including a program to use blockchain technology to store and share data on real estate transactions and a project to deploy autonomous vehicles in certain parts of the city.
• Moscow authorities have set a goal of reducing the city’s carbon footprint by 30% by 2030 through a range of initiatives, including the promotion of electric vehicles and the implementation of energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure.

Plans for Moscow smart city 2030 strategy roadmap:

• The Moscow smart city strategy Roadmap, which was adopted in 2016, outlines a number of key priorities and initiatives for the city’s smart city development through 2030. These include:
• Expanding the use of digital technologies and services to improve the quality of life for residents, such as smart healthcare and education.
• Enhancing the city’s transportation infrastructure and mobility services to reduce congestion and improve accessibility.
• Promoting sustainable development and energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources and green building practices.
• Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through the development of a strong ecosystem of startups, research institutions, and venture capital firms.

The Moscow Smart City strategy represents a comprehensive and ambitious plan to transform the city into a more livable, sustainable, and innovative urban environment. Through the use of advanced technologies and data-driven solutions, the strategy seeks to improve the quality of life for citizens and create a more prosperous and resilient city for future generations.

Moscow smart city strategy Technograd

Technograd is the chief front office of Moscow’s professional training system. The complex was opened in the Knowledge Park at VDNKh on 3 September 2018, with Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin invited.

Training program

Technograd offers the world’s and the country’s best training programs in more than 40 most in-demand professions and professions of the future. The programs have been based on actual employers’ requirements. The complex gives an opportunity to train, retrain, and upgrade skills in any of the chosen careers. Its platforms provide excellent conditions for training specialists for small and medium-sized businesses. The training programs have been developed taking into account the specifics of each line of business and include case studies of leading entrepreneurs and experts.

Assembly point of the future

In the country’s sole supermarket of professions, everyone of any age can acquire an in-demand profession or choose his or her future job, taking training based on cutting-edge teaching methods. The innovative education complex of a new type is VDNKh’s attraction point.

Muscovites use the advantages of a smart city every day: they connect to the internet on a train or in the streets, arrange doctor’s visits via the Unified Medical Information Analysis System (UMIAS), pay utility bills online, and attend an online school. Mos.ru presents this article on how Moscow has managed to become one of the world’s smartest cities.

A Smart City is a system of city service resources that are used as efficiently as possible to provide maximum convenience for its residents. It requires a close connection between smart city projects (street CCTV cameras, public services, smart transport systems, and others) in a megalopolis.

City Wi-Fi and mobile internet

There are many points with free Wi-Fi access in Moscow streets, parks, and pedestrian areas, including over 2,000 located inside the Garden Ring and in Moscow parks.

The Internet can also be accessed from public transport. The network covers the metro, the MCC, the Aeroexpress trains to the airports as well as buses, trams, and trolleys. This means there is no need to authorize again after changing from one form of transport to another.

Mobile internet still costs Muscovites eight times less than in New York. Moscow is second in fixed telephone accessibility.

Smart transport

Moscow’s intelligent traffic control system is an important element in a Smart City. In Moscow, this system includes more than 2,000 traffic lights, 3,500 traffic detectors, and 2,000 CCTV cameras. Data from these devices are transferred to the Traffic Management Center’s situation room, where they are analyzed online, which helps control traffic. In the future, this information will make it possible for the Traffic Management Center to forecast traffic patterns due to street closures, the introduction of one-way traffic, or a newly designated bus lane.

Moscow was the first Russian region to launch a website where the public can pay various fees, and attain city services, and that moved permits and documents to the cloud allowing users to receive several services in one package.

Muscovites can check on and pay traffic tickets and utility bills, arrange a doctor’s visit, top-up a Troika card, sign up children for a club or do many other things in only minutes. There are 222 services in total on mos.ru now.

Visit a doctor online

The Unified Medical Information Analysis System (UMIAS) was launched in Moscow in 2011. It can be used to find the closest medical center, arrange a doctor’s visit, or get sick leave papers. UMIAS has reduced lines in clinics 2.5 times since it was launched.

UMIAS works at 678 medical centers, unites 21,500 doctors, and 9.5 million patients as well as 359 million arrangements, and provides for over 500,000 transactions every day. About 700,000 people use UMIAS to arrange to see a doctor every week.

City and Active Citizen

Muscovites can directly interact with the Moscow government and influence the city’s life. Our City is a feedback channel where residents can comment on officials and utility services issues.

Muscovites can report on the lack of a rubbish basket in a park, a broken staircase or pavement tile as well as rubbish on the street, poor landscaping care, or a pothole. Over a million users are registered on the website. Almost 1.8 million problems have been resolved with this website so far.

The Active Citizen online referendum system allows citizens to give an opinion on various issues, starting from additional bus routes and lawn mowing to the name of the new metro ring. “Active Citizens” save up bonus points to get brand souvenirs or tickets to theatres or museums. Today over 1.9 million participants are registered in the system, with 2,600 voting sessions held and over 81 million opinions taken into account.

Electronic school

The Moscow Electronic School project started in September 2016. The main elements include digital school records and online registering as well as an electronic library with textbooks and lesson scenarios. The scenarios have replaced lesson plans and look more like a presentation with materials and tasks. Teachers all around the city can find the necessary scenario at the library, add something new to the existing one, or create a new one and share it with others.

This system allows teachers to exchange opinions and creates healthy competition between teachers because scenarios can be rated and the number of downloads is recorded. As of today, teachers have created almost 50,000 lesson electronic scenarios. Interactive blackboards – 84-inch touch screens – can be used to make lessons more interesting. School students can draw on it, move elements from one place to another, paint various areas, and so on with a stylus or their fingers. Today’s children are used to electronic devices, so they like working that way. For example, in history lessons, students use the blackboard to enjoy drawing trade routes or circle areas where certain tribes lived. Some subjects, such as geometry, actually look better with 3D images. Thanks to internet access, teachers can quickly pull up information such as laws, articles, videos, and many other things on the interactive blackboard.

Moscow schools also use online school performance and attendance records as well as the “Attendance and Food” system, in which parents can see children’s marks and their education in general: what topics were covered and what homework is due. The system allows parents to monitor their child’s arrival and departure from school and what they had for lunch.

Video analytics

Moscow is one of the world’s top ten cities in the number of CCTV cameras. There are over 146,000 cameras installed in entrance halls, courtyards, public places, and educational institutions. Recordings are used to solve 70 percent of violations and crimes. The cameras also help monitor utility services.

Recordings are kept at the united data storage and process center. In case of an emergency, it is possible to book the archived information from the necessary camera for 30 days by calling 8 (495) 587-0002. The application number received from the operator must be given to law enforcement or legal counsel. If not booked, the archived information is kept for five days.

World recognition

It is fair to call Moscow a smart city, and this title is recognized by the global community. Last July, PricewaterhouseCoopers included Moscow in the top five megalopolises that are ready for innovation. Last June, the Russian capital won the WeGO award. Moscow received special mention in the category of e-government services, and last February, Intelligent Community Forum ranked Moscow among the top seven finalists in the most intelligent city contest.

Industrial design

A special style has been developed for the design of structures used in the new signage system. Materials were selected to minimize vandalism and that do not require painting to maintain their appearance. The exterior design was inspired by Moscow architecture.

How was the Moscow smart city strategy development?

The development of a single transport navigation signage system began in 2013 and was ready within a year. The pilot project was launched in the metro: information signs with pedestrian maps and exit numbers appeared at five stations. At the same time, maps for system accessibility appeared at the bike-share stations.

The first bus stop with the new signage was completed in Moscow in 2015. Signage with city maps for pedestrians also began appearing at that time.

The new navigation system began to be used on a wide scale in 2016. Information for the passengers is placed in the metro and at the stops as well as on pedestrian streets.

Over the past 7 years, the number of tourists has increased by 65 percent, from 12.8 million to 21 million people. City revenues from tourism, festivals, and cultural events have soared by 70 percent. A new navigation system has been introduced for the convenience of city residents and tourists: signs and markers are currently available in eight administrative areas as well as at every bus stop

Social care and assistance

Social-sector funding has almost doubled in 2011. In 2018, 430 billion roubles were allocated for social care and assistance projects. Apart from cash payments, the city implements other projects that make life easier. For example, 85 percent of buses, trolleybuses, and trams are adapted for people with disabilities, and to add to this the Exciting Activities for Senior Citizens project has been launched.

Since 2013, the city has planted over 90,000 trees and 1.9 million shrubs under the One Million Trees project. The air is becoming cleaner: Nitrogen oxide and carbon oxide emissions are down 20 and 30 percent, respectively, and those of tiny particles have decreased by an average of ten percent. And tap water no longer reeks of chlorine.

Parks and green zones

550 parks, since 2011, the city has improved 550 parks and green territories, including the creation of 259 new parks. In 2017, 113 green zones were improved. There are plans to still improve 84 parks before the year is out. Trees and shrubs cover 49 percent of the city’s area.

Construction

The city no longer implements high-density (infill) construction projects, and the construction of properties with an area of 21.2 million square meters has been canceled. New hospitals, schools and kindergartens, transport interchanges, and metro stations appear each year.

Science and innovations. Moscow smart city strategy

The city has established 33 technology parks accommodating thousands of small and medium-sized innovative companies. 39 industrial complexes prioritizing innovation development have been registered. 12 technology parks for children are being developed at local universities, offering classes for school children.

The number of weekend markets has increased ten-fold. Since early 2018, there are 102 marketplaces. Over 4,000 illegal trading facilities have been dismantled during the past five years, a standard system for siting kiosks has been drafted, and a 96.6-percent outlet-accessibility coefficient is now posted.

Since 2011, the city has improved 550 parks and green territories, including the creation of 259 new parks. In 2017, 113 green zones were improved. There are plans to still improve 84 parks before the year is out. Trees and shrubs cover 49 percent of the city’s area.

Since 2011, the city has opened over 90 new sports facilities, and the number of city residents preferring a healthy lifestyle has doubled. During the summer of 2018, Moscow hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Luzhniki Stadium was renovated in the run-up to the event, and home stadiums for Spartak and CSKA were also built.

In the past few years, Moscow built 42 new cultural facilities and restored over 1,000 architectural landmarks, including the Arch of Triumph on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, the Pashkov House, the Gnessin School of Music, the Izvestia building, Helikon Opera, and many others as well.

Moscow city governed Moscow city is governed by a system of local government that consists of a Mayor, a City Duma (legislative body), and various executive bodies. The current Mayor of Moscow is Sergey Sobyanin, who has been in office since 2010. The City Duma is made up of 45 deputies who are elected for a term of five years. The executive bodies of Moscow city government are responsible for implementing policies and programs as directed by the Mayor and the City Duma. These bodies include the Moscow City Government, which is headed by the Mayor, and various departments responsible for areas such as transportation, education, and healthcare.

Building and courtyard Moscow smart city strategy

By 2015, the city renovated 105,900 residential building entrances and sections and replaced 29,500 lifts in apartment houses. In all, 21,875 courtyards were improved in 2011-2016. Parking space volumes tripled, and 17,353 new playgrounds and 4,487 sports facilities were installed

City projects

Moscow pioneered the development of key city-life aspects . Other Russian cities utilize the capital’s experience in implementing city-level projects to create a people-friendly urban environment, to modernize the transport sector, and implement IT projects at local schools

Route connectivity

The system is intended for the metro, surface transport, pedestrian spaces, the city’s bike-share network, and transit hubs, and it facilitates orientation along the way on the ground and underground. Each component is designed for a specific place, where it helps plan a route.

City maps for pedestrians have appeared in Moscow for the first time. All of them are designed with due account of the person’s location. It is marked “You are here.” The maps are oriented so that everything on the right is also to the right of the person looking at the map. Those accustomed to cardinal directions for orientation will see an arrow pointing to the north. The maps have circles indicating a five-minute walk from their location.

Metro Exits

Metro exits are now numbered clockwise. This helps people find the right direction. Major interchange hubs comprising several stations (Okhotny Ryad — Teatralnaya — Ploshchad Revolyutsii) have consecutive numbering. In addition, exits adapted for passengers with impaired mobility are marked with ramp and lift icons.

City landmarks that help orient visitors are marked with images and icons. This helps people identify them quicker and find the desired direction. Landmarks are indicated in the navigation system and serve as additional reference points.

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}#post-grid-117118 .item .layer-media{height:auto;overflow: hidden; }#post-grid-117118 .item{ margin:6px;}@media only screen and (min-width: 1024px ) {#post-grid-117118 .item{height:auto;}}@media only screen and ( min-width: 768px ) and ( max-width: 1023px ) {#post-grid-117118 .item{max-height:auto;}}@media only screen and ( min-width: 0px ) and ( max-width: 767px ){#post-grid-117118 .item{height:auto;}} @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px ) { #post-grid-117118 .item{width:302px} } @media only screen and ( min-width: 768px ) and ( max-width: 1023px ) { #post-grid-117118 .item{width:600px} } @media only screen and ( min-width: 320px ) and ( max-width: 767px ) { #post-grid-117118 .item{width:100%} } post_grid_masonry_enable = "no"; jquery(document).ready(function($){ }); unmanned transportation building roads that will charge cars ai – a new era in transport and logistics transformation top innovative renewable energy companies and startups jquery(document).ready(function($) { $("#post-grid-117118 .layer-media .gallery").owlcarousel({ items : 1, navtext : ["",""], autoplay: true, loop: true, autoheight : true, nav : false, dots : false, }) }); /*write your js code here*/, technology #post-grid-117119 .element_0{display: block ;font-family: quicksand; font-weight: 300; font-size: 36px;color: white; text-decoration: none; line-height: normal;padding: 0px 0px 5px 10px; text-align: left;} #post-grid-117119 .element_0:hover{}#post-grid-117119 .item{ background:#fff; } /*write your css code here*/ #post-grid-117119 .pagination .page-numbers, #post-grid-117119 .pagination .pager{ font-size:17px; color:#fff; background:#646464; }#post-grid-117119 .pagination .page-numbers:hover, #post-grid-117119 .pagination .page-numbers.current, #post-grid-117119 .pagination .pager.active{ background:#4b4b4b; }#post-grid-117119 .nav-filter .filter{ font-size:17px; color:#fff; background:#646464; }#post-grid-117119 .nav-filter .filter:hover, #post-grid-117119 .nav-filter .filter.active{ background:#4b4b4b; }#post-grid-117119 .owl-dots .owl-dot { background: #e6e6e6 none repeat scroll 0 0; }#post-grid-117119 { padding:0px; background: url() repeat scroll 0 0; }#post-grid-117119 .item .layer-media{height:auto;overflow: hidden; }#post-grid-117119 .item{ margin:6px;}@media only screen and (min-width: 1024px ) {#post-grid-117119 .item{height:auto;}}@media only screen and ( min-width: 768px ) and ( max-width: 1023px ) {#post-grid-117119 .item{max-height:auto;}}@media only screen and ( min-width: 0px ) and ( max-width: 767px ){#post-grid-117119 .item{height:auto;}} @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px ) { #post-grid-117119 .item{width:618px} } @media only screen and ( min-width: 768px ) and ( max-width: 1023px ) { #post-grid-117119 .item{width:600px} } @media only screen and ( min-width: 320px ) and ( max-width: 767px ) { #post-grid-117119 .item{width:100%} } post_grid_masonry_enable = "no"; jquery(document).ready(function($){ }); living in the smartphone era top 10 technology trends of 2023 jquery(document).ready(function($) { $("#post-grid-117119 .layer-media .gallery").owlcarousel({ items : 1, navtext : ["",""], autoplay: true, loop: true, autoheight : true, nav : false, dots : false, }) }); /*write your js code here*/.

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