Irritated and fuzzy brained? Cognitive overload might be the issue–and here’s what can help

On the list of things I don’t remember anyone telling me about when I was pregnant is the amount of noise there would be with kids. I mean, it’s obvious, I know, but really, someone should have warned me. Add this to the daily din of you-name-it, I can feel pretty overwhelmed without really understanding why.

As a parent, cognitive overload is REAL.

This happens when too many stimuli demand attention all at the same time. With everything you have to remember (which can change hourly, if not by the minute), all the clamor in your environment (toys can be loud, and kids “energetic”), and time either speeding up or slowing down (whichever is least convenient at the moment), the amount of information you can process at any given time can get maxed out pretty fast.

With all the things going on all the time, you might find yourself not being able to perform or process information like you would if the amount was more sustainable. Signs of cognitive overload include difficulty concentrating, poor decision making, forgetfulness, fatigue, and decreased productivity. And all of this can cause you to become frustrated and detached from all the details your brain is trying to wrap itself around. 

A crucial step to help you manage your cognitive load is to take breaks and relax, so your brain and body have a chance to rest and recover.  

But if taking a break is not feasible at the moment, there are other ways to decrease the level of stimulation in your life and give yourself some peace. Specifically, while you can’t control everything, filtering the sounds around you can go a long way in lessening the impact of  your environment. 

There’s comfort in quiet. Think of it as a safe place for your brain. Less sound can restore your nervous system, help you sustain energy, condition your mind to be more adaptive and responsive, and is associated with the development of new cells in your hippocampus, where learning and memory occur.
Because we care 💜, here are some of our favorite noise busters to help turn down the volume of the soundtrack of your life and manage your cognitive overload:

Earplugs

Worn inside the ear canal, earplugs help people with ADHD, autism, *misophonia and other sensitivities get through their day and focus, by helping them tune out triggering and distracting sounds.

Earplugs options

LOOP

Earplugs

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$24.95

With a selection of bold colors and styles spanning their entire range, Loop earplugs are waaaay better than your standard foam earplugs. All Loop earplugs come with a portable carry case for noise reduction on the go and adjustable ear tips to find your perfect fit. You can even keep your Loops close with Loop Link, their magnetic tug-resistant connector cord. Loop earplugs are engineered to be provide the perfect balance of noise reduction, clarity and comfort. Super comfortable, cool and effective, they provide an air-tight seal in your ear canal that reduces surrounding noise to help control sensory overload and help you focus. Loop earplugs have been highly praised by millions of noise-sensitive and neurodivergent users around the world.

SHOP LOOP

Earbuds  

Without entering the ear canal, earbuds rest in the outer ear. They’re small and light, which makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Earbuds options

SoundPEATS

Air4 Pro

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$79.99

With two cutting-edge noise-canceling mics, SoundPEATS Air4 Pro significantly minimize noise while creating a highly immersive environment for home, work or entertainment. Six built-in mics and their wind noise resistance design make Soundpeats noise reduction algorithm more intelligent so that you can hear and be heard more clearly in every situation.

SHOP AMAZON

Noise cancelling headphones

Worn outside the ear, active noise canceling headphones are most useful for removing constant noise from lower ranges, such as white noise and other low-frequency sounds. Helpful in muting sounds like airplane engine noise, traffic, or any constant humming (hello, misophonia*), headphones can even silence some human chatter.

Noise cancelling headphones options

JBL

Tune 760NC

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$64.95

Active noise canceling blocks unnecessary distractions so you focus on what matters, for up to 35 hours (or 50 hours with ANC off). You can also get an extra 2 hours of juice with only 5 minutes of charge. You can connect and pair multiple devices just by tapping your devices’ screens and control your sound, manage your calls and trigger voice assistants from your headphones with the button on your earcup.

SHOP AMAZON

Bose

QuietComfort® 45 headphones

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$249.00

Bose’s wireless headphones are a perfect balance of quiet, comfort and sound for all day wear. With a best-in-class combination of noise canceling performance and premium comfort, Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones deliver proprietary acoustic technology for deep, clear audio and an adjustable equalizer to tune your music to your liking.

SHOP AMAZON

Earmuffs

Earmuffs come in a variety of models designed to fit most people. They block out noise by completely covering your outer ear. Some earmuffs also include electronic parts to help you communicate.

Earmuffs options

Vanderfields

Hearing Protection Headphones

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$17.99

These lightweight, high-quality foldable noise reduction earmuffs are durable and comfortable for all sorts of ears because the soft sponge covers don’t push on your ears. Vanderfields’ great performance on noise reduction makes them perfect to block out the sounds of airports, large crowds, garden and household tools or anything else troublesome, so you can calm down and concentrate.

SHOP AMAZON

Like those who like to have a glass of wine (or something else) at the end of the day to take the edge off, tuning down your cognitive load during the day can help prevent the overload before it gets ahold of you. Whether for the day’s deluge of sounds, for travel or just for sleeping, bringing down the din can help preserve your energy, lessen your cognitive load, and help you be more present for the important things and people who need you.

*There’s a difference between misophonia, where you want to murder someone for chewing loudly, finger tapping, sniffing…breathing, and just plain being overstimulated and saturated by the world around you.