The average Brit juggles six different tasks, reminders, and responsibilities
The average Brit is juggling six different tasks, reminders, and responsibilities in their head at any one time.
A poll of 2,000 adults found, as a result, 51 per cent often feel they have too many things to keep track of every day.
This starts first thing in the morning for many, as the average person only gets nine minutes of peace after waking up before they begin thinking about all the tasks they have to do during the day ahead
Gen Z and Millennials feel the strain the most, as 57 per cent said they are battling with ‘too many tabs syndrome’, often feeling like they have hundreds of pages open in their brain at once. Only 16 per cent of Boomers experience the same phenomenon.
The research was commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of the Galaxy S26 FE, designed to help take some of the mental admin out of everyday life with practical Galaxy AI tools, from personalised daily snapshots with Now Brief to timely prompts through Now Nudge.
Work deadlines (26 per cent) and meetings (20 per cent) are among the things taking up valuable mental bandwidth. Outside of work, never-ending lists of appointments (42 per cent), household jobs (51 per cent), and finances (48 per cent) are also leaving them feeling stretched.
Many are actively looking for ways to “close a few tabs” and free up some mental space, with 44 per cent relying on calendar reminders to stay on top of things. A further 41 per cent handwrite to-do lists, 35 per cent use notes on their phone, and 27 per cent set alarms for important tasks. Others send messages to themselves (22 per cent) or keep key information somewhere they can easily see it (21 per cent).
For 33 per cent, these reminders of what they need to stay on top of give them peace of mind, while 39 per cent said it makes them feel more in control.
Annika Bizon, for Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “People are carrying never-ending to-do lists in their heads, from work deadlines and family plans to messages, reminders, and the small tasks they are trying not to forget.
“Our research shows that for many, the challenge is not just having a long list, but keeping track of it all as the day moves on.”
Top 10 signs you’ve got ‘too many tabs’ open
- Walking into a room and forgetting why you went there
- Putting something somewhere “safe” and then forgetting where
- Starting one task before getting distracted by another
- Thinking about one task while trying to complete another
- Saving a screenshot or photo because it has information you need later
- Remembering something important just as you are falling asleep
- Remembering something you need to do at an inconvenient moment, then forgetting it again later
- Sending yourself a message or reminder so you won’t forget something
- Forgetting to reply to a message
- Feeling like your brain is constantly running through a mental to-do list