Does 'Browsing Clutter' Increase Your Online Stress?

A recent study by Aalto University found that one in four internet users are overwhelmed by the clutter in their browser. This clutter can include open tabs, extensions, and bookmarks. The study also found that this clutter can lead to increased stress and decreased productivity.

There are a few reasons why browsing clutter can increase stress. First, it can be visually distracting. When you have a lot of tabs open, it can be difficult to focus on the one you're trying to use. This can lead to frustration and make it harder to complete tasks.

Second, browsing clutter can make it difficult to find the information you need. When you have a lot of tabs open, it can be easy to lose track of which one contains the information you're looking for. This can lead to wasted time and increased stress.

Third, browsing clutter can lead to multitasking. When you have a lot of tabs open, it's tempting to switch between them frequently. This can lead to multitasking, which has been shown to reduce productivity and increase stress.

There are a few things you can do to reduce browsing clutter and stress:

• Close tabs that you're not using. It's tempting to keep tabs open "just in case" you need them later, but this can lead to clutter. Make a habit of closing tabs that you're not actively using.

• Use a tab manager. If you have a lot of tabs open, consider using a tab manager to help you organize them. Tab managers allow you to group tabs together and save them for later.

• Set a limit on the number of tabs you have open. It can be helpful to set a limit on the number of tabs you have open at a time. This will help you to focus on the task at hand and avoid multitasking.

• Disable extensions that you're not using. Extensions can be useful, but they can also add clutter to your browser. Disable extensions that you're not using to reduce clutter and improve performance.

• Organize your bookmarks. If you have a lot of bookmarks, consider organizing them into folders. This will make it easier to find the bookmarks you need when you need them.

By reducing browsing clutter, you can reduce stress and improve your productivity.