Brits have an average attention span of just 17 minutes and it’s getting worse

According to research, the typical adult has an attention span of 17 minutes and 10 seconds.

A survey of 2,000 adults showed how long people think they can concentrate on different tasks on average.

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People admit that they can only stay focused for 19 minutes and 17 seconds during a conversation with their partner, but during a work meeting that drops to just 17 minutes and 36 seconds.

Taking care of our finances can take us 19 minutes and 49 seconds, and tasks at work 20 minutes and 40 seconds.

Financial tasks were also likely to be put off or put off because they are seen as boring or difficult: 14 percent of respondents put off checking their pension, 14 percent checked their monthly budget and 11 percent set up a savings account. .

More than a third (36 percent) say their attention span has worsened in recent years, while only 22 percent say it has improved.

Nearly half (49 percent) of 18- to 24-year-olds say they lose focus on a task within a minute, while only seven percent of people aged 65 and over experience this level of difficulty staying focused .

And 18 percent of the younger age group have put off checking whether their pensions are on track – compared to just two percent of those over 65.

Of those surveyed, 39 percent admit they feel compelled to check their phone when they lose interest in something.

While 45 percent jump between tasks, and 42 percent allow themselves to daydream.

The survey, commissioned by Nest to coincide with the Pension Attention campaign, found that 50 percent blame their limited attention span on fatigue, while 40 percent say stress is a key factor.

Gavin Perera-Betts, chief customer officer at the corporate pension company, said: “Constant notifications, social media and instant access to information can impact our ability to concentrate for extended periods.

“It’s not just the technology that’s to blame, though; stress and fatigue also play an important role.

“When we are tired or stressed, we have difficulty maintaining concentration, making it even more difficult to stay focused on a single task.

“Even relatively simple but important tasks, such as checking your budget or checking whether your pension is on track, can be delayed due to lack of attention.

“While we can’t eliminate all stress and fatigue, we can make it easy to check that your retirement is on track. There are three simple steps on our website that you can follow.”

The research also showed that 37 percent find it difficult to quit – and exactly half of those surveyed usually have a lot on their minds at the same time.

Of those whose attention spans have deteriorated over time, 35 percent think their smartphone is to blame.

But 43 percent have tried to extend how long they can stay focused on a task.

Half of these make a conscious effort to listen to others’ conversations, while 43 percent have tried to exercise more in a bid to increase their mental stamina.

And 39 percent put their phone away at some point in the evening.

These efforts yielded 41 percent results, but 42 percent ultimately returned to their old habits.

The survey, which was conducted via OnePoll, also found that 34 percent have had an argument with a partner about attention span.

While 35 percent worry, their children will be less focused because they are surrounded by the internet with countless gadgets.

Gavin Perera-Betts of Nest, which recently launched its mobile app to make it easier to manage your pension, added: “Technology is deeply ingrained in our everyday lives – so it is crucial that technology is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind.

“Simple technology, such as a mobile app, can ensure that paying attention to important matters, such as your pension, becomes simple and clear.

“When technology is intuitive and less cluttered, it can reduce mental overload, helping users stay focused and prevent their minds from wandering.”