"Frontal Fatigue": When Our Brains Can't Keep Up with Our Screens"

Understanding and Combating "Frontal Fatigue"

I love information: gathering, molding, sorting, making mine.

My two natural habitats were always bookstores, libraries and garden centers. That was before I switched to reading ebooks- so I could buy more books, sort them, and digest them faster. At least that was the theory.

As most of my work, education and entertainment moved online, the speed at which I consume information, increased dramatically.

Books, magazines, social media, online courses- I would gobble it all! So many fascinating things, so little time. I would often feel like a kid in a candy store.

But then I would encounter this- or similar- message more and more often:

I would get excited over a book, rush to buy it, only to find out I already have! Sometimes it would be a year ago, sometimes - two weeks.

I would often feel well informed, but was I, really?

I could barely recall any of the stuff I read, and a lot of what I consumed would quickly become an info-blur.

The irony? I would read a lot on the impact of technology on our wellbeing and productivity (part of my Digital Wellbeing Certification).

I figured it was time to pause and reflect.

Because what is the point of gobbling so much information if:

• I don't remember most of it - even if I think I do

• I don’t intend to use it - even if I pretend I do

So, what have I packed in today’s Bento Box?

The Frontal Fatigue. What it is and why it matters.

According to drawing Dr. Mark Rego's research, FF is a state where our prefrontal cortex (PFC) is overwhelmed by the relentless demands of modern technology.

Why It Matters: It’s more important than ever to learn how to handle the complexities and abstractions of today's digital world.

FF has a significant impact on our:

• wellbeing/mental health

• attention

• creativity & productivity

• decision-making

And some things you can try to combat frontal fatigue.

In "The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload" by Daniel J. Levitin, says:

"Our brains are busier than ever before.

We're assaulted with facts, pseudo facts, jibber-jabber, and rumour, all posing as information. Trying to figure out what you need to know and what you can ignore is exhausting.”

Nicholas Carr, in his book "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains", argues that the Internet is contributing to a new kind of brain that prioritizes “skimming” information rather than deep, focused thinking, leading to a form of cognitive overload.

Then add multitasking that leads to reduced productivity and increased chances of error (this is because the brain is forced to switch contexts continually, leading to cognitive overload and fatigue) and you have our modern world.

Let’s take a closer look at what we’re dealing with in the modern world.

In an era where our lives are dictated by the incessant pings of our devices, we are facing an unprecedented crisis.

This isn't just about being tired; it's about our brains being overwhelmed in a world they weren't designed for.

As Dr. Mark Rego points out in his book, "Frontal Fatigue: The Impact of Modern Life and Technology on Mental Illness," we are pushing our prefrontal cortex (PFC) – the brain's command center – to its breaking point.

Let's face it, our brains haven't caught up with the rapid advancements of technology. We're biological beings, not machines.

Yet, we're living in a world that demands constant cognitive juggling. Our PFC is under siege by the complexities and abstractions of modern life. It's like running an old computer with the latest software – it's bound to crash.

We’re talking about frontal fatigue, cognitive overload, and our insane appetite for information. It’s like a mental marathon that never ends.

Frontal Fatigue – The Brain's Cry for a Break

Think of your brain's frontal lobe like the world's most overworked manager.

It's in charge of making decisions, solving problems, and basically ensuring you don't do anything stupid.

But here's the deal: bombard it with too much for too long, and it starts to fry. This isn't just feeling a bit tired; it's like your brain's decision-making muscles have run a marathon and are begging for a rest.

Cognitive Overload – When Your Brain's Inbox Explodes

Our brains haven't gotten the memo that we're in the 21st century.

They can only handle so much info at once, but thanks to our digital lives, we're force-feeding them a constant stream of data. It's like trying to drink from a firehose. When our cognitive inbox is overflowing, our brains start dropping balls:

• attention scatters

• memory gets foggy

• decision-making goes out the window

Information Consumption: Feeding the Beast

Thanks to our dear friend, the internet, we’re consuming information like there's no tomorrow. We're all hooked on info-snacking. Emails, social media, news – it's a non-stop information buffet.

And just like overeating, it’s not doing us any good. Our brains weren't built for this.

We're often feeding our brains way more than they can digest.

There’s research that shows link between media multitasking and higher depression and social anxiety symptoms.

So, What’s the Big Picture?

The connection between frontal fatigue, cognitive overload, and our digital diet is a vicious cycle.

We’re gorging on information, which overwhelms our brain, leading to fatigue, which then messes up our ability to process even the simplest cat video.

It's time we start thinking about how to keep our mental boss happy – less info-junk food, more mental veggies.

Let’s make our digital consumption more like a well-balanced diet and less like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

And what can we do about it?

By adopting a more balanced 'information diet,' you can significantly reduce this cognitive overload.

Here's a simple, incremental plan to help you get started:

CONSUME:

• Set Clear Information Boundaries & Limit Screen Time: Set specific times for checking emails, social media, and news. For instance, allocate 30 minutes in the morning and evening.

• Be Intentional with Your Choices:

  • Curate Your Content: Actively choose sources of information that are beneficial and align with your interests or needs.

  • Plan Your Media Consumption: Decide in advance what you'll read, watch, or listen to. This pre-selection reduces the burden of making choices in the moment.

DIGEST (REFLECT):

• Reflective Journaling: Spend a few minutes each day or week writing down your thoughts on the information you've consumed.

• Take notes.

REST

• Prioritize Rest and Disconnection.

• Engage in Non-Digital Activities: Now maybe an excellent time to hone you knitting skills! Try to find hobbies or activities that don't involve screens, like reading a physical book, gardening, or knitting mittens.

• Check-In with Yourself: Regularly ask yourself if the information you're consuming is making you feel informed or just overwhelmed.

The key is not to make drastic changes overnight but to gradually shift towards a more mindful and intentional approach to information consumption.