A focused animated TED-Ed lesson written by neuroscientist Shannon Odell and directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet explains why the human attention span is becoming increasingly fragmented in the digital age and how to improve and protect it.

In today’s world, our attention is being pulled in more directions than ever before. This can make finding focus— for work, school, and even the things we love— feel almost impossible. So, how can you improve and better protect your attention span?

The lesson also examines the brain regions responsible for focus and the copious factors that deplete our mental energy, offering actionable strategies to manage distractions and improve concentration, from taking short breaks to walking outdoors and practicing mindfulness meditation.

The distractions on our screens are designed to grab and hold attention. So, remember to be kind to yourself. While we can’t always control every factor that pulls at our attention, finding a quiet environment, closing extra tabs, and even blocking certain apps can give your brain the best chance at focusing in.

It opens with a 2016 study that found people stayed on a single computer application for an average of just 40 seconds before switching, down from 75 seconds only five years earlier.

Odell also wrote an earlier TED-Ed lesson on how walking improves the human mind and body, a nice companion to this one’s tip that a 15-minute walk outdoors can sharpen focus.