How to of the Day

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• How to Enable 3G on an iPhone
• How to Write Exponents
• How to Make Unpoppable Bubbles
• How to Play Pool Like a Pro
• How to Calm Your Imagination Before Sleep
• How to Improve Concentration at Work

How to Enable 3G on an iPhone Posted: 06 Apr 2017 05:00 PM PDT This wikiHow teaches you how to how to turn off 4G or LTE service on your iPhone so that it runs on slower 3G cellular networks. Edit10 Second Summary 1. Open Settings. 2. Tap Cellular. 3. Tap Cellular Data Options. 4. Tap Enable LTE. 5. Tap Off. EditSteps EditEnabling 3G on iPhones that Support Voice Over LTE Open your iPhone's Settings. It's an app that contains a gray gear (⚙️) on your home screen. Tap . It's near the top of the menu, next to a green square with a white cell tower icon. Tap . It's near the top of the screen, in the first group of options. Tap . It's the first option on the screen. Tap . It's the first selection on the menu. Now, your iPhone will rely on 3G or slower cellular networks for voice and data. If you select Data Only, your iPhone will use LTE for data, and to access the Internet, but voice calls will be on 3G or slower cellular networks. If you select Voice & Data, your iPhone will use the fastest available LTE networks for both voice and data. Using LTE improves the quality of voice and data connections over cellular networks. EditEnabling 3G on iPhones that Don't Support Voice Over LTE Open your iPhone's Settings. It's an app that contains a gray gear (⚙️) on your home screen. Tap . It's near the top of the menu, next to a green square with a white cell tower icon. Tap . It's near the top of the screen, in the first group of options. Tap . It's the first option on the screen. Tap . It's the second selection on the menu. Now, your iPhone will rely on 3G cellular networks for voice and data, when available. If you select 2G, your iPhone will rely on 3G cellular networks for voice and data, when available. If you select LTE your iPhone will use the fastest available LTE networks, where available, for cellular data only.[1] EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Write Exponents Posted: 06 Apr 2017 01:00 PM PDT An exponent is a valuable mathematical tool for showing repeated multiplication. To use exponents, you need to know several mathematical rules about interpreting their meaning. A special numerical system that uses exponents is scientific notation, which is useful in expressing very large or very small numbers. When you use exponents or scientific notation in print or programming, you need to learn various ways to express the exponent. These will differ for different programs or typing formats. EditSteps EditUsing Exponents Correctly Use exponents to show repeated multiplication. When a number is multiplied by itself any repeated number of times, you can use an exponent as a shortcut. The exponent shows the number of times that the base is being multiplied. This rule applies to any base, whether it is a number, a variable, or even a mathematical expression. Look at the following examples:[1] ${\displaystyle 2*2*2=2^{3}}$ ${\displaystyle 5*5*5*5=5^{4}}$ ${\displaystyle 7*7=7^{2}}$ ${\displaystyle 10*10*10*10*10*10*10=10^{7}}$ ${\displaystyle x*x*x=x^{3}}$ ${\displaystyle (x+2)(x+2)(x+2)=(x+2)^{3}}$ Add exponents together to show expanded multiplication. When numbers with exponents are multiplied by each other, you can represent the result easily by adding the exponents together. The base number remains unchanged. This rule only applies if the bases are the same. See these examples:[2] ${\displaystyle 3^{2}*3^{4}=3^{(2+4)}=3^{6}}$ ${\displaystyle 5^{4}*5^{1}=5^{(4+1)}=5^{5}}$ ${\displaystyle 10^{3}*10^{3}=10^{(3+3)}=10^{6}}$ ${\displaystyle x^{5}*x^{2}=x^{(5+2)}=x^{7}}$ ${\displaystyle (a-3)^{2}*(a-3)^{4}=(a-3)^{(2+4)}=(a-3)^{6}}$ ${\displaystyle 3^{4}*2^{5}=3^{4}*2^{5}}$…. (Because the bases are different, there is no change.) Subtract exponents to show division. When numbers with exponents are divided, you can find the result by subtracting exponents. The base number remains unchanged. This rule only applies if the bases are the same. See these examples:[3] ${\displaystyle {\frac {3^{6}}{3^{2}}}=3^{(6-2)}=3^{4}}$ ${\displaystyle {\frac {5^{8}}{5^{3}}}=5^{(8-3)}=5^{5}}$ ${\displaystyle {\frac {x^{10}}{x^{4}}}=x^{(10-4)}=x^{6}}$ ${\displaystyle {\frac {x^{5}}{y^{4}}}={\frac {x^{5}}{y^{4}}}}$…. (Because the bases are different, there is no change.) Write negative exponents as a reciprocal. Whenever a base number has a negative exponent, that number should be read as the reciprocal of the base. Thus, ${\displaystyle ({\frac {1}{2}})^{-1}=2}$. The negative exponent does not make the number negative. If the negative exponent appears in the denominator of a fraction, then the reciprocal would move the base number into the numerator. Consider the following examples:[4] ${\displaystyle 4^{-2}={\frac {1}{4^{2}}}={\frac {1}{16}}}$ ${\displaystyle 5^{-3}={\frac {1}{5^{3}}}={\frac {1}{125}}}$ ${\displaystyle {\frac {1}{2^{-2}}}=2^{2}=4}$ ${\displaystyle ({\frac {1}{2}})^{-2}=2^{2}=4}$ ${\displaystyle {\frac {x^{-4}}{2}}={\frac {1}{2x^{4}}}}$ Use the power rule for exponents raised to exponents. When you have a base with an exponent, and then that is raised to another exponent, you find the solution by multiplying the exponents together. The base remains unchanged, as in the following examples:[5] ${\displaystyle (2^{4})^{3}=2^{(4*3)}=2^{12}}$ ${\displaystyle (5^{3})^{3}=5^{(3*3)}=5^{9}}$ ${\displaystyle (x^{2})^{5}=x^{(2*5)}=x^{10}}$ Write fractional exponents as radicals. Any exponent that is a fraction indicates that you are to find the root of the base number that corresponds to the denominator of the fraction. For example, an exponent of ${\displaystyle {\frac {1}{2}}}$ means you are to find the square root of the base number. An exponent of ${\displaystyle {\frac {1}{3}}}$ means you are to find the cube root of the base number. A number in the numerator of a fraction exponent works an a regular exponent would. Thus, a fractional exponent can mean both a root and a power at the same time. See these examples: ${\displaystyle x^{\frac {1}{2}}={\sqrt {x}}}$ ${\displaystyle x^{\frac {1}{3}}={\sqrt[{3}]{x}}}$ ${\displaystyle x^{\frac {3}{2}}={\sqrt {x^{3}}}}$ ${\displaystyle x^{\frac {2}{3}}={\sqrt[{3}]{x^{2}}}}$ ${\displaystyle 3^{\frac {3}{2}}={\sqrt {3^{3}}}={\sqrt {27}}=3{\sqrt {3}}}$ EditUsing Scientific Notation Know some powers of 10. Scientific notation is a way of representing numbers that are based on powers of 10. You can understand scientific notation much easier if you become familiar with several of the powers of 10:[6] ${\displaystyle 10^{0}={\text{one}}}$ ${\displaystyle 10^{1}={\text{ten}}}$ ${\displaystyle 10^{2}={\text{one hundred}}}$ ${\displaystyle 10^{3}={\text{one thousand}}}$ ${\displaystyle 10^{6}={\text{one million}}}$ ${\displaystyle 10^{9}={\text{one billion}}}$ ${\displaystyle 10^{12}={\text{one trillion}}}$ Note that these are the American terms for the multiples of ten. In Britain or countries following the British system, 109 is called a "thousand million" or a "milliard," and 1012 is called a "billion." In the British system, a "trillion" doesn't happen until 1018. Write the first digit as a whole number. When you have a very large or very small number that you wish to express in scientific notation, the first step is to write the first digit of the number in the "ones" column. Then put down a decimal point, followed by any other numbers.[7] For example, to begin writing 93,850,000 in scientific notation, set the first digit, 9, in the ones column, followed by a decimal point and the remaining numbers. This will look like 9.385. You can drop any zeroes that appear at the end. For very small decimals, do the same thing, but drop any leading zeroes. Thus, the number 0.00000002457 would be written as 2.457. Count the number of places to the decimal point as the exponent. To finish the scientific notation number, count the number of digits in the original number and write that as the power of 10.[8] In the example of 93,850,000, after placing the decimal after the 9, there are seven following digits, the 3,8,5,0,0,0, and 0. Therefore, the final number in scientific notation is 9.385 x 107. For decimals, count the number of spaces from the original decimal point to the new position of the decimal point, and use that number for the exponent. In this case, the exponent will be negative. For the example of 0.00000002457, the new decimal will be placed after the 2, so there are eight spaces before it - the seven zeroes and the 2. Therefore, the number in scientific notation will be 2.457 x 10-8. EditFormatting Exponents in Print Use superscript to write exponents in Microsoft Word. When you are working on a document in Microsoft Word and want to print an exponent, first type the base number. Then select the "Home" tab. In the "Font" section of the toolbar, select the superscript function, which appears on the toolbar as "X2." Type your exponent and it will appear in the appropriate position. Click the superscript button again to turn it off and return to regular typescript.[9] An alternate way to do the same thing is to type your base and your exponent as regular numbers. Use your mouse to highlight the exponent and, while highlighted, then click on the exponent button on the toolbar. The number will automatically move into the exponent position. Use a carat (^) to enter exponents in Excel. When you are entering a function in Excel and wish to enter an exponent, use the ^ symbol between the base number and the exponent. Excel will not actually print the exponent as a superscript number, but it will mathematically interpret the ^ symbol to work as an exponent.[10] For example, to indicate 2*2*2, which is two to the third power, you would write 2^3. Excel will interpret this as the value 8. To write the number 52 in Excel, you will enter 5^2. This will then print as the value of 5*5, which is 25. LaTeX is a typesetting program used commonly in academia. LaTeX also uses the ^ to indicate exponents. If the exponent involves more than a single character, the exponent is set off with braces. Thus, 223 would be written as 2^{23}.[11] Use "E+" to show scientific notation. In Excel, and on some handheld calculators, the notation "E+" is used to write numbers in scientific notation. First, print the number using a single decimal place, then the E+, followed by the exponent for the power of 10.[12] For example, to express the number 85,420,000, begin with 8.542. Then follow immediately with E+ and the power of ten, which is 7. The final number will appear as 8.542E+7. Texas Instruments calculators use this system for scientific notation but do not use the "+" symbol along with the E. Therefore, a number like 92,000,000 would appear simply as 9.2E7. Use double asterisks in Excel as a shortcut for scientific notation. A shortcut format for writing a number in scientific notation in Excel is to use the double asterisk. First write the base number, with or without decimal places. Follow that immediately with ** and then the number that represents the exponent for the power of ten. For example, to write 4.25x104 in an Excel cell, you can type 4.25**4. To write 3.16x108 in Excel, you can type 3.16**8. Use double asterisks to write exponents in some programming languages. FORTRAN is a popular scientific programming language. In FORTRAN and other similar programming languages, you write an exponent using a double asterisk. Write the base number first, then two asterisks (with no spaces), and then the exponent. The program will interpret the number following the double asterisks as the exponent.[13] For example, 10**3 will be read as 103. 2**4 will be read as 24. EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Make Unpoppable Bubbles Posted: 06 Apr 2017 09:00 AM PDT Unpoppable bubbles are bubbles made from corn syrup and dish soap that last longer than average. If you want to make unpoppable bubbles, you can do so with a few ingredients and supplies. After mixing your ingredients carefully, you can blow fun bubbles to play with as you wish. EditIngredients 1/2 cup corn syrup 3 cups of distilled water 1 cup dish soap EditSteps EditMixing Your Ingredients Measure out your liquids. Get a measuring cup and measure out the corn syrup, water, and dish soap. Measure out these liquids, pour them in small bowls, and set them aside. You can use distilled water or tap water from your sink. If you don't have dish soap, it can be purchased at the grocery store. Corn syrup can be purchased here as well or you can buy it online. Add your ingredients in the right order. The order you add your ingredients to a mixing bowl matters in this project. Add the water first. Then, add the dish soap. Add the corn syrup last.[1] Stir your ingredients very slowly. You do not want any bubbles to form while you're mixing your ingredients. If you stir too fast, bubbles will begin to form prematurely. Stir your ingredients slowly until you have an even mixture. This means everything should be one solid color and texture.[2] Use a spoon to stir your ingredients. EditCreating Your Bubbles Prepare your pipette. Take one plastic pipette. You can buy these objects at a local craft store or department store. Use a pair of scissors to cut off the tip of the wider end of the pipette. This is the end that is not already opened.[3] Make sure to only trim the tip of the wide end. You do not want to cut off the entire wider part, as you'll be dipping this into your mixture. Once you're done, your pipette is now a bubble wand. If you don't have a pipette, you can use a straw. Dip the wand into the mixture. Dip the tip of the wider end of the wand into the mixture. You only need to make one, quick dabbing motion to get the bubble mixture to spread on the pipette.[4] You should have a layer of the bubble mixture covering the end of the wand, like the glass pane of a window. Dip the wand into the mixture again if you did not get the end fully covered. Blow your bubbles. Place your lips on the opposite end of the wand. Blow gently into the wand. A bubble should form and eventually break off.[5] Make sure to blow into the wand slowly. Blowing too fast could cause your bubble to break before it forms. Enjoy your bubbles. Once you've blown as many bubbles as you want, you can play with them. You can bounce these bubbles up and down in your hands or throw them back and forth across the room. These bubbles should not rupture or pop as fast as regular bubbles.[6] Remember, no bubbles are completely unpoppable. The bubbles will rupture with time, but they should last much longer than normal bubbles. EditDealing with Pitfalls Distill your water. Some people find the minerals from tap water can affect the quality of bubbles. You may want to purchase distilled water for the project. If you can't find distilled water at the store, you can distill water yourself at home.[7] Pour your water into a large pot with a glass lid. Do not fill the pot more than a third of the way full.[8] Place a small glass bowl in the center of the pot. Then, put the pot's lid on upside down. This means the handle should be in the water. Have an adult bring the water to a boil and, once it's boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer. Cover the lid with ice cubes. This will cause water to form on the lid and drip into your bowl. Watch the pot, adding more ice cubes as they melt. Once the bowl is full, you can remove the bowl. Use the water in the bowl in your project. Experiment with different types of dish soap. Not all dish soaps will create the same effect. While making your unpoppable bubbles, be open to experimenting with a variety of brands of dish soap. If your bubbles did not turn out the way you wanted, try using a different dish soap.[9] Set the solution aside for stronger bubbles. You can set aside your solution for up to two days and still use it. In general, the longer you set your solution aside, the longer it will last. If you were unhappy with how long your bubbles lasted, try making the solution again and letting it sit for awhile before blowing bubbles.[10] Make bubbles on warmer days. In general, warm and humid days will produce the best bubbles. While the solution will work in any weather, your bubbles should last longer during warmer months.[11] You may want to play with your bubble solution inside on windy days. Wind can pop your bubbles. EditThings You'll Need Pipette/straw Mixing bowls Measuring cups Spoon ice cubes EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Play Pool Like a Pro Posted: 06 Apr 2017 05:00 AM PDT To play pool like a pro, you need a good pool cue, a fluid stroke and precise aim. Whether you're a casual pool player or you want to become accomplished, this article will give you the basic toolkit that you need to become better at billiards. EditSteps EditKeeping Proper Form Check your hand position. Hold the thick end of the cue in your dominant hand with your palm facing upward. Find the spot on the wrap where the cue evenly balances. Grip your cue about 1" behind that spot. Make a circle with the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand. Put the cue through the circle and rest it on the top of your middle finger, behind the knuckle. Spread out your "pinky", ring and middle finger tips to create a tripod-like support. Place the ridge of your hand should on the table. Lift the other side of your hand a bit higher. Assume the proper stance. Place the foot that is on the same side as your non-dominant hand in front. Position your other foot about 2 feet (60 cm) behind the front foot. Turn your body slightly away from the table so that it doesn't interfere with the shot. Position yourself close to the table but not too close to the table. You want to lean into the shots a bit for more control. Proper form requires the cue stick to be directly below your chin during a stroke. If you compare the form of a professional pool player with that of a novice pool player, the professional player will always keep their head down also known as "being down on the ball" with the cue directly below his or her chin during the stroke. EditStriking the Ball Chalk the cue tip before every shot as though you're brushing the chalk on with a paintbrush. Avoid twisting the chalk on top of the cue. Hold your cue parallel to the table for maximum control. Accelerate gradually as you approach the ball. Imagine that you are moving your arm through the water in a swimming pool instead of hitting the ball with a quick strike. A longer stroke imparts more momentum to the ball. Keep your follow-through straight and relaxed. The cue should continue on its course and almost hit the table ahead of the ball's starting position. Your cue shouldn't slow down until the tip has actually hit the ball. Stay down after the shot. This position allows you to analyze the angle of the ball and the direction of every other ball that it strikes. It also ensures that you don't cause the shot to deviate by accidentally introducing a jumpy motion. Practice your stroke without actually striking balls until it feels comfortable. EditPerfecting Your Aim Imagine an invisible ball next to the ball that you want to sink into the pocket. Place your cue above the target. Angle the cue so that it creates a parallel line from right above the cue ball to the target. Back your cue up and place the tip on the table where the center of the invisible ball (the one you imagined next to the real ball) would be. Maintain the angle that you just made when you lined up the ball and the pocket. Keep the cue tip on the table. Pull the rest of the cue around to the right or left until the cue is positioned over the white ball. You now have the angle at which you need to hit the white ball to sink the other ball. Set your shot up at the angle you just calculated. Strike the center of the white ball so that it makes contact with the other ball. Start playing with your non-dominant hand all the time until a little after the time you become ambidextrous. It will make you less likely to win the current game but more likely to win future games. Sometimes in pool, you get a shot that would be an awkward angle with your dominant hand, but your non-dominant hand will gain skill faster for those awkward shots if you play with your non-dominant hand all the time than if you just do it for those shots. In fact, skill transfers somewhat from one task to another task to your non-dominant hand will gain skill for pool faster if you you do everything with your non-dominant hand than if you just play pool with your non-dominant hand like in other activities. EditChoosing a Good Pool Cue Feel the wrap or butt of the cue. Choose a larger wrap if you have large hands and a smaller wrap if you have small hands. The most important point is to find a wrap that feels good in your hands. If your hands sweat, choose a cue wrapped in Irish linen for absorption. Otherwise, choose a leather wrap or a cue with no wrap. Check the shaft. Most shafts have a diameter of 12mm to 13mm. While 13mm is the most commonly selected size, a smaller shaft can make the bridge position more comfortable for people with smaller hands. Measure the pro taper. The shaft maintains its diameter for 10" to 15" before it starts to taper toward the cue. A shorter taper gives you a firmer hit. Know the cue weight. Most players choose a weight between 19 and 20 ounces. Check cue length. Most cues are 57" or 58" long, but you can special order different lengths. Pick your cue tip. Cue tips are made of leather and generally rated medium to hard. A tip that will wear well gives you better control of the ball. Make sure no parts are loose. Any loose parts will absorb the energy from your shots and will hamper your ability to strike the ball well. EditVideo EditTips Don't defeat yourself. Technique is important, but your main job is to stay calm and mentally focused. Find an instructor and work out your basic technique. Sound advice at early stage can help you avoid the frustration and enjoy the game more. In addition, you'll avoid having to correct bad habits developed over your pool career. EditWarnings Many house cues are damaged or warped due to cheap materials and excessive use. Avoid betting with strangers. Strangers may "hustle" you by appearing to be bad pool players. However, after they place a bet with you, they suddenly develop excellent pool skills so that you lose the bet. EditThings You'll Need Pool cue Pool table Billiard balls Chalk EditRelated wikiHows Play Pool Like a Mathematician Break a Rack in Pool Play Snooker Play 3 Cushion Billiard Level a Pool Table Make a Bridge in Pool EditSources and Citations Videos provided by Ozone Billiards How to Choose a Pool Cue How to Develop the Perfect Pool Stroke Billiards and Pool Principles, Techniques, Resources

How to Calm Your Imagination Before Sleep Posted: 06 Apr 2017 01:00 AM PDT Having an active and creative imagination is a great gift. At night, though, it's not always so great, especially if it's keeping you awake. Don't despair! This article will introduce a few ways to help you fall asleep when your mind is over-active. EditSteps EditCalming the Mind Establish a pre-sleep routine. It's difficult to calm your imagination and your mind if you are going until you try to fall asleep. Keeping your body and mind active before bed makes it nearly impossible to shut it off so you can sleep. To help this, establish a pre-sleep routine. This helps wind your body down so that it and your mind is relaxed when you finally crawl into bed. Plus, routine helps your body know what's coming when you do those activities or when it's that time of day. Start your routine at least 30 minutes you plan on falling asleep.[1] Try reading, doing light stretches or yoga, listening to relaxing music, or watching some light, calming television. Write down what's on your mind. One way to help calm your imagination is to write down what's in your head before bed. Keep a journal by your bed. An hour or so before bed, write down the thoughts whirling through your head. Try to be as detailed as possible. Think about emptying your head of any thoughts so it will be clear when you go to bed.[2] This can also work with any anxieties. This can help you get out your worries before bed so you're not lying there and stressing.[3] Breathe out of your left nostril. Breathing out of only your left nostril is supposed to help relax your sympathetic nervous system.[4] This can calm your mind and imagination and help you fall asleep. Close your right nostril with the thumb of your right hand. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your left nostril. Hold, then exhale. Repeat, letting the tension release from your body as you calm your mind.[5] Read. Engaging in a calming activity, like reading, before bed can help the body start to relax as it prepares for sleep.[6] Since you don't want to stimulate your imagination too much, make sure to read a book that won't get your adrenaline or mind racing. Try something fun and soothing, or something you have read before. Meditate. Take up meditation. Try meditation before you go to sleep. Meditation calms the mind, and some types of meditation teach you how to clear your mind completely. Try these tricks when you're starting: Concentrate on each breath you take. Breathe slowly and enjoy each breath. Concentrate on how good it feels to be able to breathe. When you slow your breathing, this tends to slow your heart rate as well, which ultimately calms you down. Clear your head of all thoughts and focus on how good it feels to have your mind completely empty. If a thought comes into your mind, refocus, and just relax. Clear your head by throwing away the thoughts that keep you awake. Imagine a garbage bag. Lift up the predominant thought that keeps you awake from your head, and imagine that you put it in the bag. Now that this thought is out of your head, you can notice a previous thought popping up in your head. Throw this in the bag as well. Keep doing this until your head feels clear of thoughts. Then, tie up the bag and throw the bag as far away as you can imagine. You have now let go of the things that keep you awake, and you are ready to start falling asleep. Try progressive muscle relaxation. Starting at your feet or your head, single out each muscle group. Tense that muscle group, then relax it.[7] Listen to relaxing music. If your imagination won't calm down, try turning on some relaxing music. This helps keep your mind from focusing on what is in your head and more on the music which in turn relaxes you. Make sure you listen to the music at a low volume. Listen to music that is soothing, like instrumental. EditDistracting Your Imagination Visualize. Imagine a scene where you are being swept off to sleep. Maybe you are a leaf on the wind, maybe you are walking into a pool of fog, or maybe you are sinking down in a soft cloud. Visualizing scenes like this can help focus your imagination and draw it away from distracting, emotional thoughts.[8] Count something. Engaging your mind in repetitive mental exercises can help you fall asleep. Sheep are very popular for this purpose, but almost anything will do, as long as you can picture it clearly and keep counting.[9] This repetition and refocusing can help quiet your imagination. Alphabetize. This is another mental exercise that can distract your brain and help promote sleep. Go through the alphabet and think of items in a single category, A to Z.[10] For example, you could list fruits or animal names from A to Z, such as aardvark, bumblebee, crayfish, dog and so on. Picture an object or scene. Focus on a very specific object, like a box. Think about the color of the object, the shape, the size, what it looks like from each side, and its use. Or try walking yourself through a scene. For instance, imagine that you're riding a bike. Picture a particular route in your neighborhood that you frequently walk, drive, or bike. Imagine you are biking along this road, and think of it at exactly the same pace as it would take if you were actually on a bike.[11] While you are biking, have a look around and imagine all the streets, houses, shops, and other things that you pass along the road. Try to remember as many small details as possible.[12] Recite lyrics or quotes. Another mental exercise that might distract your imagination is reciting the lyrics to your favorite song or quoting your favorite movie. Repeat the lyrics over and over, like a mantra. This helps focus your brain on something repetitive so that your imagination can calm down and let you sleep.[13] Try recreating a familiar movie from any point in your mind. Follow through the plot, think about the dialogue, and try to focus on specific details from the movie.[14] Create a story in your mind. Come up with a story to occupy your mind. Create a character, or use a familiar character. Tell a story in your mind about what happens to this character. Focus on details, like what the character is wearing, what the room looks like, and what they are doing. If you can't think of a story, use yourself. Walk yourself through your favorite hobby. Imagine that you are sailing a boat around a lake or decorating a new room.[15] EditRelaxing the Body Lower your body's temperature. One way to promote sleep and help calm the mind down is to cool yourself down. Being too hot can disturb your sleep, which can keep your imagination going. Lower the temperature in the room or remove a blanket to help cool yourself down.[16] Keep your room between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit.[17] Take a bath. Taking a bath raises your temperature, and then going into your cool bedroom lowers it. This change in body temperature causes you to be drowsy because of a decrease in metabolic activity.[18] Try burning scented candles or using aromatherapy bath salts or body wash. Or burn essential oil or place it in a diffuser. Lavender and Roman chamomile oil both promotes sleep.[19] Exercise. Exercise helps you fall asleep more quickly and sleep better. It can help tire your mind and body so you can hit the pillow and drift off. Make sure that you exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime. If you have trouble falling asleep, try exercising even earlier in the day.[20] Try deep breathing. Deep breathing can be effective in calming the body and the mind. Sit up straight on the floor just before bed. Make sure the lights are off and the room is quiet without any distractions. Close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale completely through your mouth for a count of 8. Do this for a total of 4 times.[21] Drink tea. Some teas can have a calming effect on the body and the mind. An hour or so before you want to fall asleep, brew a cup of chamomile, Valerian, or lavender tea. Some tea companies also sell blends specifically for helping sleeping.[22] Don't put sugar in the tea. This can help you stay awake. EditRemoving Disturbances Reduce the amount of light in your room. One reason your imagination may be active is because of the amount of light in your room. Light at night, and while you're trying to sleep, throws your body's natural circadian rhythm off. Turn off all lights when you are sleeping. This includes electronics. Lights can confuse your body and mind, making your mind work overtime. Start dimming the lights an hour before bed so your body starts producing melatonin.[23] If you need a little light at night, go for red lights instead of blues. Blue tones increase energy and attentiveness, which disrupts sleeping patterns,[24] Avoid looking at bright screens for 2-3 hours before bed. If you can't get away from the light, try wearing an eye mask. Reduce caffeine intake. Caffeine is a stimulant. Drinking too much caffeine too close to bedtime can make your mind and imagination work overtime. Try limiting the amount of caffeine you drink throughout the day, or don't drink so much tea close to bedtime.[25] Go to sleep when you're actually tired. One reason your imagination may run away with you and keep you up at night is because your body and mind aren't actually tired. Staying in bed and tossing and turning just causes your imagination to keep working. Instead of lying there and being frustrated at your mind, get up and go to another room. Do a relaxing activity for 20 minutes, like light reading or listening to calming music. Then return to bed.[26] Use your bed only for sleep. When your imagination is in overdrive, don't lie in bed tossing and turning. This makes your body start to believe that the bed is a place to think and be mentally awake. Instead, move yourself to another room.[27] EditWarnings If you find that you have consistent sleep problems, consult a doctor. EditRelated wikiHows Fall Asleep Sleep in Class Overcome Homesickness at Night Have a Very Soothing and Calming Night EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

How to Improve Concentration at Work Posted: 05 Apr 2017 09:00 PM PDT To do the best job that you can, you'll want to devote your full concentration to every task. To improve your concentration at work, maintain a clean and orderly work area. Clear your mind by listening to music or meditating. Jump into the more difficult tasks first, leaving the easy ones for later in the day. Stay motivated by remembering why you are passionate about your work and why it deserves your full effort. EditSteps EditCreating the Right Environment Keep your work area clean. Spend the last 15 minutes of each day organizing your work space. Stack or file any miscellaneous papers. Throw away trash. Clear out the extra open windows on your computer. You can even set out the next day's work, if you know what it will be. This will help you to start each day fresh with a welcoming space.[1] If you feel the unstoppable urge to clean mid-day, then give yourself a maximum of five minutes to tidy everything up. Don't let these breaks become a distraction.[2] Decorate with fresh flowers and plants. Place a small plant on your desk or a larger one on the ground. Look for a plant that requires little light, unless you have a large office window. The plants will help to provide fresh air, which can help your mind to stay clear. It may also encourage you to open up your windows, which will have the benefit of exposing you to healthy sunlight as well.[3] Adding plants to your office environment has been shown to increase productivity upwards of 35%. Keep the temperature mild. The ideal temperature for a work environment is 71 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). If you cannot maintain that exactly, try to keep the thermostat between 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too high, you could overheat or become sluggish. If the temperature is too low, you may jitter or feel ill.[4] Surround yourself with good memories. Add some photos of a recent trip that you've taken. Include a few snapshots of close family or friends in happy poses. Don't overcrowd your space, and try to rotate items around every few months. You can also add a few candles or other small items that have positive meaning for you.[5] Listen to some music. Keep a pair of headphones at your desk and put them on for breaks. Listen to music that you are familiar with, but also try new music styles as well. Try to remove all work-related thoughts from your mind, take a few deep breaths, and just feel the music. Then, once your break is finished, dive back into work.[6] If your office is loud, you can also use headphones to cancel out all of the noise. Simply put them on and then resume your work. No matter what genre, it is important that you like the music that you are listening to. Your fondness for the music can directly impact how it helps or hinders your productivity. So, choose what you like![7] Turn off your phone. When you arrive at work, place your phone within a close drawer. Or, turn it off and place it screen down on your desk. Make a point to only check your phone on breaks. Use another device as a timer or clock. If your office phone is a distraction, see if you can place it on silent as well. Check your messages at particular times and respond to them then.[8] Lock your computer. If you are working on a task that doesn't require the computer, go ahead and turn off the monitor. Only turn it back on when you need to use it. When you are on your computer, limit distractions by placing limits on web browsers and social media sites.[9] You may also want to turn off email notification settings as well. Email can be very distracting and it is difficult to resist the urge to constantly check and respond. Work alongside organized people. This may not always be possible but, if you can, try to surround yourself with people who share your ambitions and work ethic. They can push you when you feel lazy. They can kick back with you when you are relaxing. It will also help you to feel like a member of a team.[10] EditMastering Time Management Start with the tough tasks. You will most likely have the most energy at the start of your work day, so jump right into those jobs that require additional concentration. Focus on tasks that are new to you or need a high level of creativity. Leave the mindless or basic work until the end of the day or when you feel as if you are lagging.[11] Work on a single task at a time. Many people suggest multitasking, but jumping from item to item can actually drain your energies faster. Instead, choose a particular task and concentrate on finishing it to full satisfaction. "Single tasking" will also help you to set reasonable goals and resume work despite interruptions.[12] Break down information into smaller bits. If you have a large task that needs attention, spend some time thinking about how that task could be segmented into a series of smaller projects. Then, create an order of tasks, a to-do list of actions for the day. This also works if you must memorize large amounts of information--just break it down.[13] Set your own deadlines. It is likely that your boss or employer will create deadlines for you. But, to avoid procrastination, look over your work and create your own deadlines for each project. This will give you ample time for each task with time added in for breaks. You can also add in extra time if you are worried a particular project might be problematic.[14] For example, if your boss sets a deadline of Thursday, you may set a personal deadline of Wednesday. This gives you an extra day to work with in case any issues arise. Take set breaks. Watch the clock and take breaks of five minutes for every twenty-five minutes of concentrated work. You can make a bathroom run, walk around the office, grab a quick snack, or even just stand and stretch. Having these set break times will keep your off-time under control, while also giving you something to look forward to.[15] Some people find it useful to keep a kitchen timer or even an hour glass at their desk to keep track of time. If you miss your break, make sure to extend the next one.[16] Develop a calendar system. Keep track of all of your commitments in one place, whether it be on a paper calendar or on your phone. Log your phone calls, appointments, and meetings, including the amount of time spent or required. Look over your entire day each morning, so you know what to expect.[17] You may also want to consider not attending certain meetings, if that is possible. Carefully consider whether or not the meeting will be productive and worth your time.[18] Give yourself time to recharge. Make sure to spend time relaxing in your free time outside of work. Participate in a hobby that you enjoy or spend time with friends. Go out to a restaurant that you enjoy. Get together with family and friends. Investing in yourself can lead to improved concentration at work.[19] EditChanneling Your Energy Discover when you work best. Every person has a few "magic hours," or hours when they work the best. For a week, keep a chart where you write down your energy level from 1-10 each and every hour. Then, look over these numbers to see where your peaks of energy and productivity lie. Spend these moments on your most challenging tasks.[20] Engage multiple senses. Break up your work so that you spend time speaking, writing, and hearing. If you are in a meeting, take a pad of paper for notes. You can also record meetings and then play back the recordings for reference. If you need a break, read some of your paperwork aloud.[21] Even doodling can improve cognition and concentration. It keeps you more awake and prevents you from completely disengaging due to boredom.[22] Be interested in your work. Think about what exactly fascinates or excites you about your current tasks. This may require a bit of digging on your part, but there is likely at least something that piques your interest. Whenever you feel bogged down, recall this reason to keep going and focus on it.[23] For example, if you are doing a job that could help someone, you might repeat, "I am helping others." Meditate. Sit at your desk. Close your eyes and take a series of deep breaths. Focus on a thought that makes you happy, such as relaxing on a beach or reading a good book. Keep that thought front and center and banish any work worries. Repeat this practice for just 10-20 minutes total each day. This is a great way to use those five minute breaks.[24] Office meditation has been shown to boost concentration and to lessen signs of depression and anxiety.[25] Maintain healthy habits. Eat balanced, healthy meals. Exercise regularly and take good care of your body. Avoid smoking and drinking. All of these activities will increase your endorphin levels, assisting in boosted productivity. Getting enough sleep can also improve your energy level and concentration at work.[26] Be careful turning to caffeine to boost productivity. It may increase your pace, but could lead to jitters and dehydration as well. Try to get up and move around throughout your work day. For example, instead of sitting in your chair all day, try to do some work standing up. Or, perhaps catch a quick work-out over your lunch break.[27] EditTips You could try adding various scents to your workspace as well. Mint, for example, has been shown to improve concentration. Even chewing mint gum might help.[28] Give yourself a reward when you reach one of your work goals. This can help you to keep going during especially difficult or long tasks.[29] EditWarnings If you feel as if you simply can't concentrate at work, you might want to talk with a counselor or doctor.[30] EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

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