Group Discussion: Minimizing Overload

Best practices for minimizing overload?

I don't believe there's any single set of practices to minimize overload. At best, there's situational dependent tips. Before employing a method, a person experiencing overload should deduce what's causing the overload. For example, I don't feel overloaded by email, but I don't work or live in a setting where that's an issue. Therefore, email management wouldn't help me much. this list of suggestions are based solely on my experience.

1) The "Zen" Day
In the past, I would check into a hotel about once a month to isolate myself from the world for a weekend. No calls, no social media, no internet. Baring that, I would take solitary day/overnight trips to places like state parks and new towns. Unplugging was my way of dealing with overload. I live alone now, so I don't need these kinds of trips as frequently.
It's really about taking some personal time, even for a short period. I look at it like charging a battery. There's only so much energy available to accomplish tasks. Once the energy is depleted, it's time to recharge. The key here is realizing that while charging, it's not possible to engage in any other tasks. Once complete, the battery can be used at full strength again.

2) Schedule Face-To-Face time
Make a habit of spending time in the company of others. These days, that often involves a pre-scheduled event. Plan a dinner party, meet for coffee, play a sport, walk nature trails, etc. The point is to regularly experience a sense of community that is only accessible within the physical presence of others. To reap the full benefit of these interactions, remove as many digital distractors as possible. Silence phones, turn off the TV, no net surfing during the event.

3) Turn off notifications.
I don't spend excessive amounts of time online, yet I still receive lots of interruptions from push notifications. Turn off the alerts. Try to redefine CMC and digital media as tools at your disposal, don't accept that you are at their disposal. Take back control. By turning off notifications, you decide when to acknowledge them. They'll still be there, even Snapchat until you open it.
I think of the constant alerts coming from my phone and computer as "micro-interruptions." In this sense their kind of like the concept of "micro-aggressions," unconscious aggression from mechanical objects and software. The difference is we self impose these on ourselves instead of experience them from others.

4) Remove the clutter
The therapeutic value throughly cleaning your home can't be underestimated. This extends into your digital life as well. It's hard to be production when physically and mentally surrounded by disorganization. Clean out what ever you don't need. Be it old papers or apps running in the background.

5) Try new things
Avoid behavioral ruts. Break up monotony with new experiences. Do something unexpected. Test your limits and abilities. If you sit at a computer all the time, do something physical outdoors. If you're a bookworm, go see a play. If you only watch movies and listen to music, try reading a book. The point is that breaking up routines gives your brain and body a new stimulus to contend with which often is a good thing.

There's more suggestions out there. Find what works for you and dispense with the rest.