America is experiencing an overload of information more than ever before, and it appears that it will only get worse. As knowledge increases, comes more responsibility. Technology has exploded throughout the years, but we're not here declare that technology is bad. It's possible that you've had access to this article on your smartphone or an online link shared with you. Technology is extremely useful and enhances our lives. It's part of our job and social networks, emergency situations getting useful information.
However, and this is an important point - just like we could be addicted to drugs, alcohol and other items it is possible to be addicted to our phones. Does your smartphone have changed your brain health?
The main issue is the degree to which smartphones are in our daily lives. Nowadays, we rely on our phones to perform essential human needs. Are you in a position to remember how to find your way around without the GPS feature on your phone? I'm reminded of the occasions when I'd need to get out my folding map, glance at it and then call directions on the map. Using landmarks was a necessity in fact, it "paved" the way for us to be able to remember how to navigate. Today, our dependence on smartphones has diminished our ability to think and think, and instead made us more dependent on immediate satisfaction. Today, we're barely in a position to live without our smartphones in our hands.
Are you an Addict?
Dopamine levels play a role in addiction. This is what makes us pursue pleasurable experiences and also encourages us continue seeking pleasure after we have received"reward "reward". We are in a loop of reward-seeking. This pattern is a part of our lives, and it is a crucial purpose of nature, like the essential needs of living and friendship. But what happens with smartphones?
The reason it is easier to be dependent on technology than other things is that it's impossible to truly be "full" as we do when eating a meal. This results in less satisfaction, which is why our urge to find for more.
Of course, we don't would like to believe that we are dependent on our smartphones. We believe that we need our phones because receive this text, or an email or the fact that a viral video is essential. It's true a lot times, but there are some tell-tale indicators that indicate when we are at the helm of our smartphone usage, and when it's under the our hands.
The consequences of addiction to cell phones include:
Insomnia and sleep disturbances are caused by frequent phone use
Contact us to enjoy relaxation and satisfaction
A feeling of anxiety or irritability when you are away from your phone, or when confronted with the lack of use (for instance, when you realize that your phone's battery is depleted)
A feeling of loneliness or rapid mood changes if you're unable to send messages or get immediate responses
Consistent and conscious use of a phone when in a risky situation for example, while driving, and the loss of enthusiasm for other pursuits
The preference of using the phone instead of face-to-face interaction
Do You Remember the Phone Number?
Do you recall the time when you had to dial numbers for landlines? The actual number needed to be remembered, rather than being able to locate the number on our contacts as we do today.
The avalanche of information that afflicts us can make it difficult to build long-term memories. The reason is that information gets into our brains so quickly that it is difficult to distinguish between what's essential and what's not. This means that it isn't stored in long-term memory. Long-term memories shape our thoughts and memories.
The main point is that the more we depend heavily on technology and smartphones as a whole, the less information can be stored in our memory for the long term, leaving us less capable of influencing our experiences and thoughts. Externalization of memory isn't always an issue however it shouldn't take away our capacity to recall and learn from experiences outside of our surroundings.
Attention Span as Short as Your Goldfish
Have you ever owned a your own goldfish? I have and regardless of what I tried I could not keep my goldfish's interest. It's now me wondering whether my attention span is diminishing to that of the goldfish.
Did you know that even the mere presence of a smartphone--regardless of whether it's on silent or turned off--impairs cognitive function? It's because the brain was trying to avoid picking the phone up and begin using it. If we don't use our smartphones we are feeling like we're missing some information that's recently posted on social media or a news story which everyone is talking about health.
More Connected, But More Alone
Online and in-person socializing is a different experience. Through our online presence we pick the most effective version of ourselves and the top online attributes--hashtags statuses and stories, filters, you know what you're looking for. We aren't able to appreciate the flaws, imperfections, and flaws that connect us. We are often envious of people who appear to live "perfect" lives and it leads to feel insecure as well as low self-esteem and feelings of isolation. A study showed an average of 48% individuals under thirty-five believed that you could confide only in one individual against three, based on a research conducted over 25 years in the past. It's quite ironic, considering that we have many more "friends" than we can be sure of on our accounts online hundreds, perhaps thousands - yet, we're more lonely than ever before.
How Do We Unplug?
Here are some strategies that have proven successful for me personally in managing my phone and other technology use:
Try a digital fast for a whole day to keep in mind the world beyond your smartphone
You can turn off notifications during family gatherings, other outings or classes, work or other activities. I also prefer turning off notifications from apps on weekend, with the exception of texts and calls.
Plan regular "dates" with your loved ones
Make social networks you can connect with in person like a church organization or hiking group
Enjoy an outdoor adventure such as camping and road trips, or hiking in the woods
If you utilize technology at work, you should try to plan when you will use it. For instance, schedule the time to check your email instead of constantly going through it every day.
Utilize an alarm app that demands you to rise in order to switch off the alarm. As an example, leave the phone in a different room. This will stop you from users from using their phone after bedtime.
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