We often ignore that one text, email, or message notification—pretending it doesn’t exist—but according to NYU neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki, our brains don’t forget as easily. In a recent Mindful Mondays post on Instagram, Dr. Suzuki revealed how tiny unfinished tasks quietly clutter the mind and elevate stress, even when we think we’ve brushed them aside.
The Science Behind the ‘Open Loop’
Dr. Suzuki explained that each unread message or delayed reply forms what psychologists call an “open loop”—an unresolved thought or task that subtly demands attention. “Unanswered messages and stacked DMs don't just sit quietly. They become mental clutter that quietly spikes stress,” she said in her video.
Even if your phone is tucked away in a bag, the brain continues to register the incomplete task, keeping you slightly on edge until it’s resolved. Over time, these lingering reminders can sap focus, energy, and even creativity.
A Neuroscientist’s 15-Minute Solution
To combat this hidden stressor, Dr. Suzuki suggests what she calls a 15-minute reply sprint. “Do a 15-minute reply sprint every day at the same time,” she advised. “Use three quick templates: yes, no, not now but I’ll circle back on whatever day you name.”
She also recommends turning off notification badge counts—those little red numbers on app icons that tug at your attention. By controlling when and how you respond, Suzuki says, you free your brain from constant mental interruptions.
The Power of Small Habits
The idea might sound simple, but Suzuki insists the payoff is huge. “Little habit, big mental payoff,” she said, reminding followers that mental clarity often depends on how we manage small tasks, not just big goals.
Her approach reflects a growing recognition in neuroscience that everyday micro-stressors—like unfinished emails or unacknowledged messages—can cumulatively affect mood and focus.
Dr. Wendy Suzuki, currently Dean of the College of Arts & Science at New York University, is known for her work on how exercise and mindful habits reshape the brain. Her advice combines neuroscience with practical mental hygiene: clear your digital clutter, close your open loops, and your mind will follow.
So next time that unread message flashes on your screen, take a cue from Dr. Suzuki—close the loop, reclaim your calm, and give your brain the clarity it deserves.
The Science Behind the ‘Open Loop’
Dr. Suzuki explained that each unread message or delayed reply forms what psychologists call an “open loop”—an unresolved thought or task that subtly demands attention. “Unanswered messages and stacked DMs don't just sit quietly. They become mental clutter that quietly spikes stress,” she said in her video.
Even if your phone is tucked away in a bag, the brain continues to register the incomplete task, keeping you slightly on edge until it’s resolved. Over time, these lingering reminders can sap focus, energy, and even creativity.
A Neuroscientist’s 15-Minute Solution
To combat this hidden stressor, Dr. Suzuki suggests what she calls a 15-minute reply sprint. “Do a 15-minute reply sprint every day at the same time,” she advised. “Use three quick templates: yes, no, not now but I’ll circle back on whatever day you name.”
She also recommends turning off notification badge counts—those little red numbers on app icons that tug at your attention. By controlling when and how you respond, Suzuki says, you free your brain from constant mental interruptions.
The Power of Small Habits
The idea might sound simple, but Suzuki insists the payoff is huge. “Little habit, big mental payoff,” she said, reminding followers that mental clarity often depends on how we manage small tasks, not just big goals.
Her approach reflects a growing recognition in neuroscience that everyday micro-stressors—like unfinished emails or unacknowledged messages—can cumulatively affect mood and focus.
Dr. Wendy Suzuki, currently Dean of the College of Arts & Science at New York University, is known for her work on how exercise and mindful habits reshape the brain. Her advice combines neuroscience with practical mental hygiene: clear your digital clutter, close your open loops, and your mind will follow.
So next time that unread message flashes on your screen, take a cue from Dr. Suzuki—close the loop, reclaim your calm, and give your brain the clarity it deserves.
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