Crossword Genius

It's soothing when you have to concentrate (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

compress

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'to concentrate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'it's soothing when' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'it's' could be 'es' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT') and 'es' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'you have' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for compress that I've seen before include "Squeeze together or squash" , "Press tightly together" , "Squeeze; a staunching pad" , "Make more compact" , "Flatten by pressure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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