Heal Thy Self with Dr. G

Attention Expert: Notifications Steal Your Life | ft. Dr. Zelana Montminy HTS w/ DrG #417

Sep 18, 2025
Dr. Zelana Montminy, a behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist, dives into the attention crisis caused by modern distractions. She reveals that our 'addiction' is often a response to discomfort, not the devices themselves. Learn about the 23-minute cost of task-switching to our brain and how monotasking can restore clarity. Discover the power of boredom as a tool for creativity and emotional regulation, and gain practical tips on reclaiming focus with simple lifestyle adjustments. Banish notifications and embrace mindfulness!
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INSIGHT

Attention Hijacked By Escapism

  • Modern distraction trains our brains to escape discomfort, not because devices are inherently evil.
  • That constant task-switching collapses nervous-system capacity and fuels exhaustion.
INSIGHT

The 23-Minute Switching Penalty

  • Every task switch costs the brain about 20–25 minutes to reorient.
  • Frequent switching drains time, efficiency, and emotional energy even when tasks seem small.
INSIGHT

Distinguishing ADHD From Trained Distractibility

  • ADHD is real, but cultural forces are training many brains toward attention deficit.
  • Distinguish clinical ADHD from learned distraction driven by environment and habits.
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