Sometimes the brain itself is looking for something to distract itself with - scientists have explained why

If you're easily "blown away" by notifications, pop-ups or just a bright thing on your screen - it might not just be habit. Scientists from the University of Rochester (USA) have found out that attention works in waves.

According to their data, the brain about 7-10 times a second as if it opens a "window" when it is easier for him to switch to something else. This was useful to our ancestors: even if you're busy doing something, your brain has to occasionally check to see if there's danger around. But today, those same "windows" make us vulnerable: there's a phone, laptop, adverts, notifications nearby - and it's easy for the brain to cling to distractions.

How it was tested:

• 40 people participated in the experiment.

• They had to look at a grey square and perform a task on the screen.

• And bright coloured dots appeared nearby, which were purposely distracting.

• Scientists recorded brain activity through EEG (sensors on the head) and separately made sure that the result was not explained simply by eye movement.

What came out:

• There were moments when participants were worse at spotting the right signal - and that's when they were more "glued" to the distractions.

• These moments were repeated rhythmically - about the same 7-10 times per second.

Why it's needed:

• It may help us understand why some people have a particularly hard time holding focus, such as those with ADHD (ADHD).

• But it's not a test for ADHD or a diagnosis - just a clue that distractibility may have a biological "tuning" of the brain.