Remembering tasks like buying paper towels or signing up for summer camps can feel overwhelming. Addressing your mental load, those constant tasks your brain tracks, is crucial. Leah Ruppanner explores this in her book, Drained: Reduce Your Mental Load to Do Less and Be More. She provides tools to help minimize ’emotional thinking work’ and make energy use more meaningful.
Ruppanner is a University of Melbourne professor who studies gender, work, and family. Her research shows that recognizing and measuring mental load can significantly lessen it. She says, “Once we see it, we can’t unsee it. We can start to address it.” Her findings reveal that women often bear more mental load. A study involving over 3,000 U.S. parents found women handle over 70% of domestic mental load.
Addressing Gender Myths in Mental Load
Ruppanner highlights cultural myths that burden women. A common belief is that women are superior multitaskers, but research shows that task-switching drains cognitive capacity. Another myth is that women are better household managers, though studies suggest men who engage in domestic tasks are healthier and happier.
Research Findings on Perceived Household Cleanliness
Collaborating with colleagues, Ruppanner tested the stereotype “men can’t see the mess.” Participants from University of California, Santa Barbara, and New York University rated messy and clean rooms similarly, debunking this myth. Men can indeed see household disarray.
Tools to Manage Mental Load
Ruppanner launched a website offering a free mental load assessment. Her book introduces the Mental Load Audit, categorizing tasks into eight areas to assess energy usage. Categories include life organization, emotional support, and individual upkeep.
Once tasks are categorized, consider which ones drain or refresh your energy. By avoiding a mental load deficit, you maintain necessary energy levels. Some can reduce their load, while others can focus on joyous, rejuvenating activities.
Prioritizing and Outsourcing Tasks
Ruppanner advises prioritizing important tasks. Evaluate who is vital to address. One mother juggled book club, PTA, and family requests. Prioritizing helps filter worthwhile decisions.
Outsourcing is another option. While some services cost money, like housekeeping or childcare, technology offers alternatives. Apps can manage meal planning or email sorting. Embrace a “good is good enough” mindset to relax unwarranted standards, like dishwasher arrangement obsession.
Goal of Reducing Mental Load
The ultimate goal is a fulfilling life with sufficient mental energy for passion and creativity, without feeling depleted or burnt out.
Ruppanner’s Mental Load Measurement quiz helps identify your mental load’s heaviest areas, offering solutions to ease it.
This digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib and visualized by CJ Riculan. Share feedback via voicemail at 202-216-9823 or email [email protected]. Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit.