Today anyone can have their thoughts bound into a readable form. Information is at everyone's fingertips. With this excess of readable material available, then why is it that people are not choosing to actually read and absorb them? If you are like me, you have downloaded several e-books, which are waiting on your computer to be read. They are waiting for you, when you choose to carve out time for them, just like the photos on your digital camera. When exactly will that be? We all have the same amount of time, so why is it that we never seem to get to them.
Abundant technology has created an excess-option syndrome. There are so many things you could do with your time, that often you become overwhelmed. When this emotion is encountered, your brain will look for ways to be comforted. This is when you start checking facebook, email, or grabbing a snack.
You sub-consciously use these short episodes of "non-productive, productivity"to calm down your nervous system when feeling confused, conflicted, or overwhelmed. It is a hindbrain reaction to mental overload. These signals to soothe are not from your rational thinking neocortex, but the old primitive lizard brain.
The brain-body connection was not established to be in fast forward mode all day long. It was designed to be cyclical, with exertion and recovery. When you attempt to bypass this natural pattern, your brain will introduce all kinds of thoughts to help you interrupt this constant stream of mental activity.
Busyness is a cancer. How many times have you caught yourself saying, "I'm so busy," not productive, or content or peaceful, but busy? No one liked "busy work"in school; however, we have created a lifestyle full of it.
I theorize that this constant busyness and excess-option syndrome are actually robbing joy and happiness from people's lives. People are losing their ability to think and contemplate. If it does not fit into 140 characters, people will not make time to read it. Digital addiction robs you of your propensity to read and understand in-depth.
Through neuroplasticity, repetition can cause physical changes in your brain structure. You are training your brain to be scattered and random by repeatedly multitasking and the use of texting, tweeting and emailing. You create a chronic scatterbrain condition where it becomes uncomfortable to absorb too much information presented at one time.
The brain begins to process in a new way. This harms language, etiquette and writing as well as perceptive reading skills. This is only the beginning, as we are the first generation of personal technology device users.
As cell phones and laptops become a staple for every person, even the very young, we will only see further deterioration of these essential life skills. Just like a muscle, if you do not use it, you lose it. When was the last time you wrote a handwritten letter, read a great work of literature, used proper etiquette, or communicated verbally on an intellectual basis? These once common traditions are becoming things of the past.
This evolution is frightening. We are rapidly moving toward advanced technology and personal isolationism. Although studies show that the happiest people live simple lives full of meaningful relationships, it seems we are moving away from that and toward doing more and being less. To achieve holistic wellness, where mind, body, and spirit are balanced, one must take account of how time is spent.
It is only through diligent effort that one can reduce busyness, and develop a deeper and more fulfilling life. Distraction, overwhelm, and scattered thought are rampant, but you can begin to limit this by being more purposeful in how you spend your time. Here are the top ten ways to reclaim your intellectual property.
Abundant technology has created an excess-option syndrome. There are so many things you could do with your time, that often you become overwhelmed. When this emotion is encountered, your brain will look for ways to be comforted. This is when you start checking facebook, email, or grabbing a snack.
You sub-consciously use these short episodes of "non-productive, productivity"to calm down your nervous system when feeling confused, conflicted, or overwhelmed. It is a hindbrain reaction to mental overload. These signals to soothe are not from your rational thinking neocortex, but the old primitive lizard brain.
The brain-body connection was not established to be in fast forward mode all day long. It was designed to be cyclical, with exertion and recovery. When you attempt to bypass this natural pattern, your brain will introduce all kinds of thoughts to help you interrupt this constant stream of mental activity.
Busyness is a cancer. How many times have you caught yourself saying, "I'm so busy," not productive, or content or peaceful, but busy? No one liked "busy work"in school; however, we have created a lifestyle full of it.
I theorize that this constant busyness and excess-option syndrome are actually robbing joy and happiness from people's lives. People are losing their ability to think and contemplate. If it does not fit into 140 characters, people will not make time to read it. Digital addiction robs you of your propensity to read and understand in-depth.
Through neuroplasticity, repetition can cause physical changes in your brain structure. You are training your brain to be scattered and random by repeatedly multitasking and the use of texting, tweeting and emailing. You create a chronic scatterbrain condition where it becomes uncomfortable to absorb too much information presented at one time.
The brain begins to process in a new way. This harms language, etiquette and writing as well as perceptive reading skills. This is only the beginning, as we are the first generation of personal technology device users.
As cell phones and laptops become a staple for every person, even the very young, we will only see further deterioration of these essential life skills. Just like a muscle, if you do not use it, you lose it. When was the last time you wrote a handwritten letter, read a great work of literature, used proper etiquette, or communicated verbally on an intellectual basis? These once common traditions are becoming things of the past.
This evolution is frightening. We are rapidly moving toward advanced technology and personal isolationism. Although studies show that the happiest people live simple lives full of meaningful relationships, it seems we are moving away from that and toward doing more and being less. To achieve holistic wellness, where mind, body, and spirit are balanced, one must take account of how time is spent.
It is only through diligent effort that one can reduce busyness, and develop a deeper and more fulfilling life. Distraction, overwhelm, and scattered thought are rampant, but you can begin to limit this by being more purposeful in how you spend your time. Here are the top ten ways to reclaim your intellectual property.
- Block time for exertion and recovery (both mental and physical).
- Minimize, monitor, and control technology use in your daily life (set boundaries, stick to them).
- Read in-depth and meaningful literature; on purpose (keep your brain sharp).
- Choose to limit your options and choose how you spend your time based on what you value (create and align choices with a "what matters most"list).
- Practice using good manners and proper etiquette even when the situation does not require it (common courtesy is not common anymore).
- Write notes, letters, and cards by hand on a weekly basis to maintain writing skills and maintain meaningful relationships with others (express thanks and gratitude when possible).
- Prune your schedule. Remove any unproductive or unnecessary tasks to allow you more time to just "be"(build a better schedule, protect your time).
- Create time blocks in your schedule that you set aside for various activities (retrain the brain to focus on one thing).
- Set aside time daily for reflection and to engage in a creative pursuit (activate new neural pathways by unleashing your creative ability).
- Look for ways to avoid or reduce multitasking (this reinforces chronic scatterbrain behavior and in the end is less productive).
"Wellness Matters" Article Series by Lisa Schilling RN, CPT
Speaker, Writer, Wellness Coach & Consultant
Lisa Schilling is the author of "The Get REAL Guide to Health and Fitness-FIVE STEPS to Create Your Own Personal Wellness Plan" She is juggles life as a doting wife and the mother of three boys, who keep her feet firmly planted on the ground!
Lisa is a Registered Nurse, author and recovering pageant queen, who spreads hope with her Get REAL approach to wellness. She empowers women, caregivers and groups to unleash their fullest potential by helping them to see their true beauty and discover their REAL value.
She feels passionate about spreading this message of hope and acceptance to help others be PROactive about their health and not simply REactive. Lisa uses her enthusiasm to inspire people to value and appreciate who they are. She helps people build a bridge from where they are, to where they want to be.
Speaker, Writer, Wellness Coach & Consultant
Lisa Schilling is the author of "The Get REAL Guide to Health and Fitness-FIVE STEPS to Create Your Own Personal Wellness Plan" She is juggles life as a doting wife and the mother of three boys, who keep her feet firmly planted on the ground!
Lisa is a Registered Nurse, author and recovering pageant queen, who spreads hope with her Get REAL approach to wellness. She empowers women, caregivers and groups to unleash their fullest potential by helping them to see their true beauty and discover their REAL value.
She feels passionate about spreading this message of hope and acceptance to help others be PROactive about their health and not simply REactive. Lisa uses her enthusiasm to inspire people to value and appreciate who they are. She helps people build a bridge from where they are, to where they want to be.
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