How to Go from Decision Fatigue to Deep Focus in 5 Minutes

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Picture this:

It's midday, there's crucial work to finish... but you just can't squeeze more focus from your tired brain. You keep staring out the window. Your thoughts swirl off to greener pastures. And no amount of "pushing through" seems to help. Sound familiar?

If I pulled your card, there's good news:

This isn't about "lacking willpower" or needing another mindset course. The science is clear: Your ability to focus, make snappy decisions, and execute is deeply tied to what's happening in your body. Not just your brain, but your entire nervous system.

It’s not just “in your head”: How your body controls your focus.

Your body has two primary response modes: the stress response (sympathetic nervous system) and the relaxation response (parasympathetic nervous system). Your stress response activates under pressure, which sparks physical tension, causes your thoughts to race, and makes it hard to concentrate.

Both are natural biological responses. And in fact, high performance entrepreneurs recognize that some stress is essential for peak performance. The key is finding your optimal zone. According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, performance increases with physiological arousal -- but only up to a point.

Too little stress and we're unmotivated; too much and we can't focus.
This explains why, sometimes, pressure helps us execute brilliantly. And other times, it leaves us paralyzed.

What most of us don't realize is that one of the simplest paths to better focus is through the body. One of the most effective ways to gain--and maintain--the clarity, consistency, and focus to do deep work is through somatic (body-based) interventions.

Somatic approaches work by directly affecting the state of our nervous system. Basically, they create the necessary inner conditions to support longer attention spans and clearer thinking.

The Science of Fast Focus: 2 Evidence-Based Options

1. Bilateral stimulation

Think of bilateral stimulation like a gentle back-and-forth rhythm that helps your brain get into its sweet spot for focus. Your nervous system naturally responds to alternating left-right sensations (like walking or swimming), which is why movement often helps us think more clearly.

When we apply this principle intentionally using tools like TouchPoints, we can actually help regulate our nervous system faster. The alternating micro-vibrations, set to specific frequencies, help activate your parasympathetic nervous system - your body's natural calming response. This reduces the stress chemicals that make it hard to focus and increases neurotransmitters that support clear thinking.

For instance, clinical studies show that using bilateral stimulation on purpose can reduce stress markers and boost cognitive performance in as little as 30 seconds (Johnson et al., 2018). In fact, in an internal, 2019 TouchPoints survey, 62% of professionals reported sharper focus after just half a minute of use. It’s interesting how something so simple can help our brains process info more efficiently.

Think of bilateral stimulation like gently tapping the reset button on your nervous system. But that's just one piece of the focus puzzle.

2. Strategic movement

Your physical body plays a huge role in how clearly you’re able to think--especially certain key areas. For instance:

Hip flexors get tight from prolonged sitting and can trigger your body's stress response.
Neck and shoulders--especially the trapezius, scalenes, and rhomboids--directly impact blood flow to your brain when tense.
Our chest often gets compressed from computer work, impacting both your breathing and your energy levels.

When these specific muscle groups get tight or fatigued, they create a cascade of tension that makes it harder for your brain to focus. The research backs this up. In a recent study, researchers found that professionals who strategically stretched these key areas could maintain focus 42% longer and solve complex problems ~8 minutes faster than those who don't (Chang et al., 2019).

To learn more about other techniques you can use, see 11 Body-Based Techniques Proven to Boost Productivity — without Coffee. For now, let’s combine these techniques in our follow-along Focus in 5℠ routine!

Try it Yourself with Focus in 5℠

Our Focus in 5℠ routine combines the above two components--bilateral stimulation (TouchPoints) and strategic movement--to create an optimal state for deep work. The sequence is designed to help boost brain circulation, counter desk-work muscle compression, and help your body shift out of stress mode.

Before starting the video, set your TouchPoints to "Focus" mode (yellow), as we’ll jump right in!

The Bottom Line: Support -- don’t force.

Remember: The key to maintaining deep focus isn't about forcing your mind to “push through.” That won’t work.

Instead, it's about working with your body--essentially, creating the right conditions to support its ability to focus. By understanding and supporting your nervous system, you can achieve the focus, clarity, and consistency needed to do your most important work.

Ready to take your focus and performance to the next level? Get your TouchPoints bundle to experience hands-free bilateral stimulation technology firsthand. And visit EnergeticHarmony.NET to learn 3 Reasons Mindset Work Can't Stop Us from Self-Sabotaging.

Sources:

Johnson, A., et al. (2018). The Therapeutic Effect of Bilateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile Form Technology on the Stress Response.
Chang, Y., et al. (2019). Effects of Targeted Stretching on Focus and Problem Solving.

Harmony Major is a Natural Wellness Expert and Performance Strategist for tough, 30-plus professionals (especially entrepreneurs 💚). Trained by top orgs like National Child Traumatic Stress Network, Movement•Wisdom School of Yoga, Harvard and others, she loves helping beautiful humans release stress and blockages through natural means to resolve years-long career struggles. ➤ Learn more.

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