Getting Back to Work Made Easy with These Distraction Blocking Apps
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines focus as follows: ‘… A state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding…’ Getting into the zone and staying there is challenging at the best of times. The Internet presents as the greatest distraction to our focus, what with ubiquitous soundbites, social media, news, sports, entertainment, and gaming distractions.
Our lack of focus may be rooted in our inability to multitask. With so much going on, it’s no wonder that we struggle to hone in on specific tasks. Of course, there are people who have specific conditions that make focusing difficult, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other mental health conditions invariably play a part in making it difficult to focus. Likewise, substances can make focusing impossibly difficult. Fear not. Help is at hand….
It is against this backdrop that we examine 5 focus apps that will help you get down to business:
1. Focus Keeper
Focus Keeper is a time management application that is great for helping students and workers focus on the tasks at hand. Developed by PIXO Incorporation, this productivity app is ideal for preventing burnout. It features a user-friendly interface with customized focus sessions, each with sounds, colors, and goals to achieve.
You can track your efficiency and productivity, with useful charts. It is tailored to iPhone and iPad devices, with full Cloud functionality. There are charts for 14 days and 30 days, and you can set your daily targets with as many focus sessions as you need to finish before you take a break. It’s a powerful tool for those who suffer from anxiety and ADHD. Definitely worth checking out!
2. Focus Plant
Imagine having the freedom to focus exclusively on your work without having annoying distractions coming your way? The Focus Plant app does precisely that. It is a focus-oriented game that helps users beat their addictions and focus on the tasks at hand. It is expressly designed for work, college, and studies. Various rewards, records, and focus-oriented tasks are presented – like collecting raindrops – so that users can really hone in on the nitty gritty details.
3. Screen Time Self Control
Screen Time Self Control is designed for iPads and iPhones. A relatively unknown app, it’s pretty effective for keeping you off your smartphone when you have important work and study -related activity to get through. So many of us are controlled by our mobile phones.
We obsessively check them for messages, emails, social media updates, networking, e-commerce, and the like. Screen Time Self Control is designed to break mobile addiction. This allows you to focus on your study, or your work. While the app is localized for Korea and Japan, the Western world can benefit just as much from this app to help you focus.
4. BlockSite
BlockSite is a universally popular productivity website blocker. It gets you back into the swing of what you’re supposed to be doing – studying, working, or focusing on a task. It is designed and developed by BlockSite LP, and it is highly-rated by a large and growing user base. This time management app is geared towards improving your focus, your productivity, and your attention to detail. It does this by blocking out all of those annoying distractions. You don’t need to rely on willpower to stay away from annoyances – BlockSite takes care of things instantly.
The functionality of this app is genius. You simply pick the categories of content that you would like to block. This could be social media, news, sports, gaming, et cetera. The temporary blocking is done via your browser. All are supported, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Opera Touch. By removing interruptions from your sphere of influence, they can no longer distract you from what you’re supposed to be doing. The website blockers, social sites blockers, and addiction blockers are excellent at keeping you focused on your work or study.
5. Hocus Focus
Hocus Focus – the name says it all – it works like magic to block all those bothersome sites that distract you from getting your work done. With the Hocus Focus tool, you get down to business – work or study instantly. It works by instantly hiding those apps that you’re not using, to prevent you from clicking on them and distracting you from the tasks at hand.
You won’t find the app at the Google Play Store, or the App Store – you can download it directly from the third party Hocus Focus site. It works by clearing window clutter from your background while you’re working. This naturally lends to a focused work environment.