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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the constant mental juggling of remembering everything? From work deadlines to grocery lists, our brains are often bombarded with information. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. The truth is our brains are not designed to handle the constant mental load we place on them. But what if there was a way to lighten this mental load and free up more energy for the things that truly matter? The answer lies in the power of offloading information to digital apps.

Why Thinking Drains Your Energy

Our brains are incredibly complex organs that consume around 20% of our daily energy. That's a significant amount. Why? Because your brain is always working, even when you're not consciously thinking. It's constantly scanning your surroundings, processing information, and keeping you safe and functioning.

Imagine you're at a bustling party. While you're engrossed in a conversation, your brain is still scanning the room. If someone calls your name, you'll instantly turn your head, even though you weren't actively listening. Our brains are constantly alert, trying to process and respond to the information around us.

The Limitations of Short-Term Memory

When we try to remember things, we often rely on our short-term memory. Our short-term memory is designed to store information you need to use in the next hour or so, such as phone numbers or directions. But we try to store things we need to remember for tomorrow or next week in there. This is why you should store what you need to remember later outside of your head.

The Power of Offloading Our Mental Information

By storing information externally using digital apps, you're giving your brain a much-needed break. This allows your brain to focus on more complex tasks and conserve energy. You'll feel less overwhelmed when you don't have to remember everything constantly.

Here are some digital tools that can help you offload information and reduce mental clutter:

• Note-taking apps: Capture ideas, notes, and lists for easy reference with OneNote or Google Keep.

• Task management apps: Organize tasks, set deadlines, and receive timely reminders with Google Tasks or Microsoft To-Do.

• News reader apps: Save articles for later reading without cluttering your mind with Pocket or Google News.

• Calendar apps: Schedule events and set reminders with Google Calendar or Outlook (be sure to have the notifications set).

• Journal apps: Write down your thoughts and feelings to clear your mind with Journey Cloud.

The Bottom Line

Offloading some of the information in your head to digital apps is a powerful strategy for optimizing your brain's performance. Utilizing these digital tools can free up mental space, reduce stress, and improve your overall productivity. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, remember your brain is valuable. Treat it with the care it deserves by offloading unnecessary information and letting it focus on what truly matters.

Need help finding the best app for your needs, schedule a free one-on-one session with me.