'Concentration - or lack of it - is a mindset,' insists award-winning entrepreneur and mentor Sarupa Shah. 'When you're under pressure, you spend more time panicking than you do getting things done. So to break that feeling of being overwhelmed, first do the opposite of what needs to be done. Go for a walk, have a bath in the middle of the day or read a book for an hour. This helps you step out of your negative mood and sets you up to be super-productive later on. And yes, it does feel scary, but you have a choice. Are you going to be responsible for creating a day you love or a day of panic?'

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Stop! Step away from the biscuit tin! We know it's difficult, but try to resist the temptation to comfort eat. 'High levels of dietary sugar and refined carbohydrates can cause a blood sugar imbalance, which leads to a range of cognitive problems, including lack of focus,' says nutritional therapist Jackie Lynch. 'To ensure sustained energy for the brain, focus on wholegrain foods, such as wholemeal bread, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice. Omega-3 fatty acids - found in oily fish, avocado, nuts and seeds - are important, too. These replenish the brain's fatty tissue, protecting the nerve cells that ensure the various messages are transmitted quickly and correctly to help you focus.'

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No matter how busy you are, it's important to take regular breaks. 'Just as your computer sometimes slows down if there are too many programmes running and it's been on all day, fatigue and lack of concentration is a sign that your brain and body need a reboot,' says therapist Dominic Knight. 'So to clear the mind and generate more mental clarity, take three 90-second breaks each day. With your eyes closed and breathing deeply, try to have a blank screen in your mind and mute your internal voice. Focus on the silence. Practise thinking of nothing. This is easier said than done at first, but you will soon master it and start to reap the benefits.'

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Be honest: how often do you feel the need to check your emails, voicemail, text messages, Twitter and/or Facebook when you should be concentrating on the job in hand? 'In today's world of 24/7 availability, we can feel bombarded by requests and information - and overwhelmed by the need to respond while distracted by the continual flow,' says executive and personal coach Helen Mundy. 'So to really concentrate, think about what you want to achieve from the task and how good you'll feel when it's completed. Then switch off everything that could distract you during this task. Promise yourself you can switch them straight back on as soon as you've finished.'

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Yes, a single cuppa may genuinely help you concentrate. Two compounds found in black tea - L-theanine and caffeine - appear to help improve attention span when consumed together, according to a 2010 study, published in research journal 'Appetite'. But don't overdo it - and try to steer clear of high-caffeine drinks such as coffee. 'Coffee may provide added energy and concentration in the short term, but it will eventually leave you fatigued and lacking focus,' says Eric McCann, nutritional consultant to Unnbelievable Health. 'I'd advise drinking green tea instead for a more subtle stimulating effect with the added benefit of antioxidants.'

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You don't need us to tell you that if you're feeling tired and run-down, your concentration will suffer - but there are plenty of herbal remedies designed to help. An example? Bio-Strath Herbal Elixir is a yeast-based liquid food supplement that's been found to improve focus, short-term memory and mental acuity in several clinical trials involving the over-45 age group. It's prepared using a unique biological process that produces a herbal yeast rich in vital nutrients. You simply take one teaspoonful two to three times daily before meals.

Bio-Strath Herbal Elixir, £8.59 for 100ml, Holland and Barrett.

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When you need to concentrate, it's a good idea to set yourself a dedicated time frame in which to focus solely on the job on hand - and make sure you tell other people you'll be unavailable during this time, too. 'There's no point aiming for more than an hour uninterrupted because you'll be fidgeting by then,' says performance coach Jane Sparrow, author of 'The Culture Builders'. 'And don't be afraid to tell others what you're doing. Say, "I'm concentrating for the next hour, then I'll be all yours", and people will usually respect that.'

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Even if you've switched off any possible distractions, such as email alerts or your mobile phone, it's not so easy to stop that constant 'mental Rolodex' of anxious thoughts and reminders from whirring round in your brain. The solution? 'Place a big blank piece of paper next to you and "park" any thoughts that interrupt your concentration by writing them down,' suggests Jane Sparrow. 'Don't give them any more airtime. Just capture them to reassure yourself you can come back to them later.'

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Always remember the reason why you're concentrating and try not to think of every task - whether it's a professional project or simply doing the ironing - as just another pointless little job to cross off your to-do list. 'Mindfulness is key when you're trying to focus,' says psychologist Dr Massimo Stocchi.  'So challenge yourself to find the enjoyment in the experience and not judge the situation or task as meaningless. The second we lose sight of why we're doing something, this undermines the value of the task and we lose our focus and train of thought.'

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Are you sitting comfortably? No? Well, then you're never going to be able to focus. 'When you feel better, you work better,' says ergonomist Lillian Antonio from Herman Miller. 'A healthy working environment that encourages movements - small and large - throughout the day will help you concentrate. But remember, no posture is good if it's held for long periods of time. Even when you're sitting correctly - with a straight back and feet firmly supported by the floor or a footrest - you need to change your position regularly. So remember to get up, stretch and move around.'

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