People Are Just Discovering This Not-So-Secret Microwave Feature — And It’s Brilliant

I’m a freelancer who works from home, so I’m constantly battling distractions and seeking out ways to boost my productivity and focus. Before my first coffee even kicks in, my attention is pulled in a million directions — do I tackle that mountain of “urgent” emails first, or finally sort through the mail pile? And don’t even get me started on deciding what’s for lunch! It’s overwhelming, to say the least.

I’ll finally start chipping away at a task when my phone dings, pinging me with texts or TikTok notifications of videos that won’t watch themselves! Before I know it, the day is almost over — and nothing is crossed off of my to-do list. And believe me when I say that I’ve tried everything to combat the issue. I’ve downloaded countless apps that promise to lock me out of social media. I’ve set my phone’s timer for specific tasks. I’ve even embraced my phone’s “do not disturb” function. In theory, these are brilliant solutions, but they all share one fatal flaw: They still require my phone. So as soon as that timer goes off, poof! I’m sucked right back into the black hole of doom-scrolling, never-ending group chats, and ever-absorbing word games. It’s awful.

I desperately needed a way to tackle even the most mundane tasks without being glued to my device — and to my absolute shock, the answer was staring me in the face the entire time. Your home probably already has an unexpected-yet-ingenious productivity tool — no app store download required! My microwave, the centerpiece of my kitchen, is the analog productivity hack I never knew I had: I realized that I can set my microwave timer without even heating up food. 

I started using my microwave’s timer for 5 minutes to ensure my focus was on making lunch, unloading the dishwasher, or sorting through snail mail without being beholden to my phone — and sidestepping the digital black hole altogether. I leave my phone in another room, put it on silent, and head to the kitchen to knock some of the more mundane tasks off my to-do list.

Courtney Morgan, licensed therapist (LPCC-S) and founder of Counseling Unconditionally, agrees that an analog timer is a great way to minimize distractions. “It’s easy to get pulled in by notifications or apps when you pick up your phone to start a timer,” Morgan explains. “An analog timer allows you to easily check your progress without being bombarded with messages or emails, which helps you stay focused on the task at hand.” By removing my phone from its role as a timer, I immediately felt more driven to continue and use my microwave to complete even more tasks.

Amy Jacobson, an emotional intelligence specialist, also appreciates this method. She notes that using a common household appliance in an unconventional way gives it a “shiny new toy” appeal, which makes us feel ingenious for discovering something new.

My happy accident isn’t only expert-approved, but it’s also backed by science. Research consistently demonstrates that “technostress” significantly impacts all facets of human life, including professional, social, and family spheres, as well as our overall psychological and emotional well-being. Using the microwave timer to get tasks off my plate has actually made me feel happier, which was no surprise to Jacobson. 

“Research tells us that breaking tasks into small increments that create a ‘win’ or ‘progress’ supports the chemical production of dopamine, also known as the happy neurotransmitter, in our mind to create motivation,” Jacobson says. “It reduces the overwhelm and gives us a positive hit that we are, even metaphorically speaking, winning! When our mind feels and sees progress, it is more motivated to continue to do the work to feel that chemical reaction again.”

When it comes to focus, I was curious why such a simple trick would work so well. It turns out, a significant hurdle for many is simply initiating a task. Morgan explains that this initial step can feel overwhelming due to the expectation of considerable time and energy investment. Overcoming this avoidance can be achieved by setting a short timer. Committing to just 5 minutes is much easier than fully committing to an entire task.

Morgan notes that often, after this initial 5-minute period, individuals feel motivated to continue working. Even if you choose to stop when the timer ends, a sense of accomplishment for taking action remains, which fosters greater motivation to return to the task later (similarly to many of the best time-based decluttering methods!). This method also reduces pressure associated with the task by committing to a set timeframe, which in turn promotes a sense of control. Morgan emphasizes that this feeling of control is particularly beneficial for those experiencing executive dysfunction, ADHD, or anxiety, as it provides “structure and a clear sense of containment.”

Discovering such a low-effort, high-reward solution to my distraction problem has been game-changing. Not only do I feel more relaxed and even excited to tackle my to-do list, but I’m also feeling more present in my life. Now, am I ready to send back my iPhone, ditch social media, and live fully off the grid? Let’s not be ridiculous — but for now, conquering my overwhelming to-do list 5 analog minutes at a time has become a huge, joyful step forward.