Beyond Capacity: Navigating the Overload of Modern Life - Written by: Doreen Bridgman, MS,CCC-SLP-CBHC

 Beyond Capacity: Navigating the Overload of Modern Life

Do you ever feel like your brain is on overdrive, constantly processing information, and solving problems? If so, you're not alone. In today's fast-paced world, we're all trying to manage an overwhelming amount of information daily. 

From the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep, you're bombarded with tasks like responding to emails, managing household chores, and keeping up with social media. The need to juggle these demands daily can leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and worn out. It's even more challenging when you're battling Brain Fog.  

What fuels overload, and what can you do to reduce it?

1. Technology: Advancements in technology have improved the quality of life; however, they have also blurred the boundaries between professional and personal lives. Cell phones are with you wherever you go, making you accessible 24/7. 

This accessibility promotes the expectation that you should be responsive to emails, texts, and social media updates at all hours of the day and night. The never-ending stream of information frequently makes it difficult to disconnect and relax, leading to mental overstimulation and exhaustion. 

2. Modern Workplace: The modern "office" has taken on a new look.  Like most changes, there are pros and cons. The boundaries set when you left your office's physical space years ago do not exist when you work from home. 

Many people are now engaged in 'gig' work, a type of employment that involves working on multiple projects simultaneously. This requires interacting with various people, keeping track of numerous details related to each project, and managing multiple deadlines. The constant switching between tasks and the pressure to deliver can significantly contribute to cognitive overload.

3. Increased Consumerism: Have you noticed your cabinets and closets bulging? The number of products available to complete any task has exploded. Walk down the baby aisle, and you will find multiple products related to feeding, bathing, and dressing. 

Imagine life as a new parent, trying to adjust to all those new demands, organizing and learning all the new "stuff."  Not to mention entering every event into the "baby tracking app" and posting photos on social media.  It's incredible how a ten-pound baby can require so many items. They are available—but not all necessary. 

Now, walk into your bathroom and count the number of hygiene items on the shelf.  How many choices for breakfast are there in the kitchen?  How many drink options are in the refrigerator? Without realizing it, we have increased our decision-making requirements tenfold.  

4. Call Centers, Customer Service, and Scheduling Desks: A seemingly simple task like calling to schedule a medical appointment or questioning your banking statement now requires more sustained attention and working memory. 

Listening to recordings with lists of options, remembering which number to press for the correct options, sitting endlessly on hold, etc. These calls take longer to complete, negatively impacting your plan for the day.  

5. Social Expectations: Social media has increased the internal pressure to succeed. The natural tendency to compare yourself to others is fueled by the constant posts of others doing what you think (or wish) you were doing.   

Whether striving for career advancement, maintaining a picture-perfect lifestyle, or simply keeping up with the Joneses, the fear of failing or being left behind can be a powerful motivator. As a result, you may say yes to more than you can manage, leading to a never-ending cycle of busyness and burnout.

Now that we have identified the causes of overload, let's discuss strategies to reduce it.  

1. Establish daily routines. Routines reduce the cognitive energy, or mental effort, expended to complete daily tasks.  As your brain adapts to tasks, less mental energy is required to complete them, leaving additional energy in the tank for other things.

2. Set boundaries. Repeatedly overextending you drains cognitive energy and increases stress levels. These boundaries include both personal and technological. Give yourself permission to say no to requests, delegate tasks, and ask for help. Set work time zones and free time zones in your schedule. Identify tech-free times and spaces in your home.  

3. Recognize the benefit of 'Unplugging.'  This refers to taking intentional breaks from technology, such as turning off your phone or stepping away from your computer. Unplugging can help reduce the mental strain of constantly processing information, leading to improved brain efficiency. Taking a step away from the constant flow of information brings the reward of better brain health and efficiency.

Addressing overload requires a 'mindset shift,' a change in how you perceive and prioritize tasks. 

It's about acknowledging that being busy doesn't equal success and that a constantly engaged brain is often not working to its maximum efficiency. It's about valuing rest, setting boundaries, and focusing on tasks that truly matter.  

By recognizing the signs and sources of overload and implementing these strategies, you can start to feel hopeful. You can conserve cognitive energy, reclaim time, function more effectively, and experience daily joy and satisfaction.  Let's get started today.

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Written by: Doreen Bridgman, MS, CCC-SLP-CBHC