Sitting and relaxing with a cup of tea surrounded by nature sounds serene. At that moment, your mind is going through a detox, and you naturally feel good. Thoughts are clear, you are more attentive, and life has never felt more unbelievable. Then you pause and ask yourself, why?
Our brains are like a sponge. It is constantly absorbing information. So it makes sense that in today’s world, where electronic devices and social media are constantly distracting, even adults have trouble staying on task, let alone kids. Keep in mind how the constant stream of stimuli we are exposed to affects us. Modern technology like smartphones, iPods, email, TV, DVRs, the internet, social media, and more keeps our minds busy. You are constantly absorbing data, and then the sponge reaches its limit and is overwhelmed, resulting in information overload.
Let’s Break Down Information Overload
People are more prone to skim and skip from one piece of content to another as the amount of information available grows, and as that information becomes increasingly superficial and irrelevant.
Because of this, individuals are diminishing their capacity for deep focus. Instead, they are less likely to regain the ability to devote attention to a single task for an extended period.
In other words, the more you browse, the less attention you can give to one particular piece of data. For instance, you could begin perusing your feed and eventually come across something that piques your curiosity.
After reading the article, you learn more about the individuals and ideas behind it by looking them up on Wikipedia.
However, most people will accept some viewpoint as fact and move on, thinking that it provided them with wisdom when, in reality, they were duped. In exchange for their attention, they got manipulation, dishonesty, and brain strain from dealing with a lot of useless information.
Does Information Overload Cause ADHD?
ADHD is becoming a much-talked-about disorder, especially among the youth. The disorder is also blamed on the rise of technology and social media addiction. Is it true?
Recent research clarifies doubts and questions. 2,587 high school pupils without ADHD participated in this study. A big part of this survey was about how much time students spend on social media and other digital media.
Students who said they used digital media multiple times each day were more likely to exhibit the following symptoms, according to the study’s authors:
- Problem paying attention, such as disorganisation and procrastination.
- Attention and impulse control disorders, such as restlessness and inability to concentrate.
Does this suggest that engaging in social media excessively can lead to the development of ADHD? No. However, while these behaviours cannot directly cause ADHD, they can result in similar symptoms.
ADHD is a biological predisposition that manifests itself in a set of hyperactive and impulsive behaviours.
On the other hand, spending too much time in front of digital screens has been linked to new symptoms similar to ADHD. The medium of digital information is not the issue; rather, the excessive mental effort it takes to consume it is.
How Do We Reduce The Load?
When you receive a notification, text, or email, your instinct is to act immediately. The information available to us in the modern world is overwhelming.
Let’s think about ways to “slow down” the flow of information.
Disable your notifications (email, devices, social media, etc.). Then set aside some time to verify that physically. This approach is meant to help you concentrate on the work at hand.
Refuse to receive most of the information currently being “pushed” on you. Instead, choose 4-6 trustworthy people or resources to gather information.
Learn to carefully pick and choose what we need from the available information rather than absorbing everything.
Plan screen time to go online, read, and otherwise gather data. An hour or two a week. Setting a timer is a good way to keep track and discipline yourself.
Disconnect. Get out into the fresh air and sunshine. Look at the birds. Hang out by the water. Observe the stream as it passes. It’s a great way to relieve tension and give your brain a good cleanse.
Clearing your mind of this mental and emotional fog has been shown to have long-term benefits like helping you focus, stay alert, sleep better, and feel better about yourself. Unfortunately, overwhelmed by too much data, people often avoid making important choices or taking necessary actions. It’s time to reduce now, for yourself.
What do you think?