NotiFRIED 😵‍💫: Are Notifications *Actually* Harming Your Productivity?

Written By Brittany Smith
an image of a brain, there are four highlighted sections, with arrows pointing towards different devices. Pink is pointing to a computer, yellow to a tablet, green to a tv, and blue to a cell phone

an image of a brain, there are four highlighted sections, with arrows pointing towards different devices. Pink is pointing to a computer, yellow to a tablet, green to a tv, and blue to a cell phone

Too many notifications destroy our attention and mood and make our important notifications invisible. Some people now get dozens of news alerts a day—no wonder “alert fatigue” is rising.

How many notifications is too many? Ask yourself:

  • Am I missing alerts that could be useful?
  • Do I have any items that have been in Notifications for over a week?
  • How many non-actionable items are in my notifications?

Why notifications matter

Your attention is valuable. It's your self-care duty to guard it.

Get the Notification Audit Tool

Make the decision of what notifications to keep or ditch easier! Know what to notify you and how to notify you.

    With our combined strength, we can end this destructive procrastination, and bring order to your life!

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    The 15-minute Notifications Audit

    1) Hard cuts (3-5 min).
    Turn off notifications for news, promos, games, “engagement” pings. Anything that can send you down a rabbit hole (or that you just don't need!)

    2) Batch anything non-urgent (3–4 min).

    • iPhone: Settings → Notifications → Scheduled Summary → Turn on → choose non-urgent apps; schedule 2–3 drops/day.
    • Android: Go to the app's notification settings → "Scheduled digest" option → set your desired delivery time.
    a red do not disturb sign

    a red do not disturb sign

    3) Focus/DND presets (3–4 min).

    Create a Focus Mode (or Android rule) that allows calendar + Reminders + VIP humans and mutes the rest. Optional emergency back-door: “Allow repeated calls” (2 calls in 3 minutes).

    4) Badge / Notification Dot Detox (5 min).

    Badges are anxiety sprinkles. Turn them off for anything non-critical.

    A flyer of Brittanys TADDTALK, which shows an image of Brittany and the title, "NotiFRIED: take action on distractions" then has the date 11/05

    A flyer of Brittanys TADDTALK, which shows an image of Brittany and the title, "NotiFRIED: take action on distractions" then has the date 11/05

    Check out my talk on Notifications - ADDA's TADD Talks

    October is ADHD Awareness Month--and what's more ADHD than talking about it in November? Check out my ADDA TADD talk this year: NotiFRIED 😵‍💫: Take Action on Distraction: https://add.org/tadd-talks-podcast/tadd-2025-brittany-smith/

    What's a TADD Talk? Think TED Talk… but shorter (just 9-ish minutes!) and laser-focused on the lived experience of ADHD in adulthood. I'm thrilled to be one of this year's featured speakers, alongside an incredible lineup that includes Linda Roggli, Dr. Ari Tuckman, Nikki Kinzer, David Giwerc, Dr. Eliza Barach, Inger Shaye Colzie, Dr. Tamara Rosier, Dr. Daniella Karidi, Monica Hassell, Dr. Michael Lenz, Dylan Alter, Dr. Mark Bertin, Dr. Sharon Saline, Dr. Roberto Olivardia, Alan P. Brown, and many more!

    These audio-only episodes are packed with science-backed strategies, personal insights, and motivation you can put to use immediately.

    image of a cell phone showing 17 minutes of screen time for the week

    image of a cell phone showing 17 minutes of screen time for the week

    What notifications do you rely on?

    And what do you want to brag about shutting off? I love to hear how folks are guarding their attention!

    --Brittany and Ollie

    How-to quick links

    More from me (videos)

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