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Using Pylot

Understanding Flow and Fatigue

Flow and Fatigue are the key measures of your mental energy

Pylot's performance metrics revolve around two essential indicators of mental energy: Flow and Fatigue. These metrics are vital as they closely correlate with the quality of your work output.

Flow

Flow is akin to being in "the zone." It's a state of relaxed concentration that enhances focus, boosts productivity, and fosters creativity. Measured through EEG, high Flow is linked to increased alpha brain wave activity and is paramount for optimal performance.

When you experience high Flow, you'll likely be fully engaged and might even lose track of time due to deep immersion in your task. The Pylot app capitalizes on these moments by suggesting tackling your most demanding tasks with minimal distractions.

Conversely, if your Flow is consistently low, the app will guide you towards less demanding, shallow tasks, or recommend taking a break. If you prefer to continue with intensive tasks, taking short, 15-minute breaks away from your computer can help sustain your deep work sessions.

Flow can change swiftly; a high reading can drop within minutes, often signifying decreased mental energy.

Mental Fatigue

Mental Fatigue arises from prolonged cognitive effort and can impair decision-making and overall performance. Pylot measures this using EEG and HRV data. When Mental Fatigue sets in, maintaining high Flow becomes challenging, and you might struggle to stay focused and engaged.

Your performance peaks when Mental Fatigue is low. If it reaches a medium level, it's not immediately concerning, but it's wise to consider a brief rest to prevent Fatigue from escalating. High levels of Mental Fatigue are problematic, making it difficult to work effectively and recover later on.

Mental Fatigue tends to increase gradually rather than suddenly. For optimal performance, it's recommended to take breaks early on to avoid reaching a state of high Fatigue. This proactive approach helps maintain your mental energy and supports continued high-level work.

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