When people think of fitness tracking, they often picture steps, calories burned, or heart rate. An Apple Watch—or any modern smartwatch—already tracks these things for us, giving us valuable insights into how hard our body is working. But what if that same device could also measure how hard our mind is working (mental effort)?
From Physical Effort to Mental Effort
Today, we can see how many calories we’ve burned during a workout. Imagine if we could see how much mental energy we spent in a demanding meeting, brainstorming session, or while tackling a difficult project.
We already check whether we’ve done enough physical activity for the day. What if we could also check whether we’ve dedicated enough mental effort—allowing ourselves to step away from work and focus on personal life without guilt?
Athletes track stamina over time, watching for improvements in endurance. In the same way, professionals could track mental stamina: Are they better at sustaining focus for longer stretches than they were a month ago?
And just like readiness scores help athletes decide how hard to train today, a mental readiness score could help someone prepare for an important presentation, meeting, or decision. Instead of going in drained, they’d know whether they’re in peak mental condition—or whether a short break could make all the difference.
Why Don’t We Have This Yet?
One reason is perception. Many assume tracking mental effort requires futuristic tools: neural implants, EEG headsets, or other custom devices measuring brain activity. That sounds far away.
But what if it wasn’t? What if the same smartwatch you already wear could passively track your mental effort, much like it tracks heart rate or sleep?
That’s exactly what CuesHub’s unique AI brings to you. CuesHub’s innovation allows existing devices like your Apple Watch to capture signals of effort and focus.
How Could It Transform Our World?
If mental effort tracking became mainstream, the ripple effects could be profound:
- Smarter Calendars: Automatically schedule breaks when your focus dips.
- Peak Productivity: Know the best times to tackle high-demand tasks.
- Healthier Work-Life Balance: Leave work at work, confident you’ve done enough for the day.
- Personalized Recovery: Discover which activities—exercise, meditation, walks, music—actually recharge your brain best.
Better Decisions: Understand when you truly have the capacity to take on another meeting or task.
A Future Within Reach
Smartwatches transformed how we think about physical health. The next frontier could be just as life-changing: a world where tracking mental performance is as natural as checking your step count—helping us both achieve peak performance and protect long-term well-being.