How Technology Has Set Us Back

Set your brain on fire with these simple methods of connection.

Picture this: you are sitting somewhere where you have to wait. It could be a doctor’s office, your kid’s swim practice, or in line at the return counter. I already know what you are doing while you are waiting: you are scrolling on your phone.

Let’s think for a minute about all the amazing alternatives you could have done instead. These recommendations below could have an amazing impact on your brain.

First, you could have had a conversation with someone. There is a reason why some well-connected people tend to live longer. Conversations with other people really set your brain on fire, in a good way.

Second, you could have practiced some deep thinking. Deep thinking is similar to meditation, where you just let your brain take you to where it wants to go. There are no rules really, just go ahead and start thinking about something. Sometimes it is helpful to write stuff down as it comes to you as some great ideas come during this time of reflection.

Third, you could have read a book. If you bring a book with you to all the places where you have to wait, you could easily tackle your reading list. Reading helps strengthen connections in your brain, improves memory and concentration as well as reduces your stress levels.

One last thing you could have done while you wait is just do nothing. Enjoying the present moment and focusing on the world around you is another way to reduce stress levels. My anxiety slows down when I am just observing. There is no dopamine rush going through my body and I am able to relax.

Zoom Fatigue is a Real Thing

Zoom fatigue is considered to be burnout from talking over a screen. Perhaps we all can agree that talking to someone online is not as meaningful as conversing face-to-face. Plus, most of us hate seeing our own faces in that small window. Being sick and tired of talking to doctors via telehealth is a form of Zoom fatigue too.

Don’t even get me started on remote learning. I applaud the schools and teachers for all their efforts, but my kids struggle with learning virtually. They refuse to stay still and stare at the screen. Virtual school days were really a zoo at our house.

The Scary Side of Technolgy

Social media can contribute to anxiety and depression. We now compare ourselves more than ever to even perfect strangers. However, social media doesn’t tell the whole story, and it is so easy for someone to paint a perfect picture that doesn’t even exist.

Constant notifications can make us less productive. Our attention spans are shortened when we have notifications showing up on our phones and computers.

Technology glitches can be hard to recover from. How many times have you spent hours writing something only for it to be gone in an instant if you didn’t save your work? Murphy’s Law seems to love messing with technology. Remember that cat filter incident on Zoom?

Telling someone to “google it” is now used as an insult. Let me set the record straight. I love Google. As a parent, I am a frequent user of Google to help figure out my children. So I wholeheartedly say that Google has a definite place in our society, but saying “google it” when someone asks you a question is a lazy way out.

Social media posts replacing birthday cards and letters. This year, it is my goal to start sending out more greeting cards and stop relying on sending birthday greetings on Facebook. I can’t remember the last time I got a letter from a friend. Wouldn’t it be a nice way to brighten up someone’s day if you sent them a letter or a card?

Technology often always excludes senior citizens. Let’s keep brainstorming ways of including them. My parents especially suffered from this pandemic because they do not have smartphones and they do not know how to Zoom. Teaching elderly parents how to use technology is not for the faint of heart.

Technology brings a lot of advances and does enhance our lives, but let’s remember the importance of connecting with another person. Maybe our mental health crisis could be alleviated by using old-school ways of connection. A simple conversation has the power to brighten up someone’s day. Since our brains are wired to be social creatures, connection with another person is a key part of keeping our brains healthy.

So next time you are in the waiting room somewhere, I highly recommend you to put the phone down.