RECONNECT (WEEK 4)
DAY 26: SELF REFLECTION
On Day 26 of your workbook, take a minute to analyze your social media network.
DAY 26 MICRO-SCIENCE
Brain and Screen Time
Unless you have been trapped in a a cave for the last fifteen years, you’re aware that smartphones and screens consume the majority of our attention on a daily basis. Social media and other addictive time consuming entertainment sources have become part of our daily lives whether we like it or not. The effects these “glowing rectangles” have on our brain is just starting to be understood, but one thing that seems certain is that screens and the constant stimuli they provide are something that our brains are attracted to. From an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense that we would “orient” towards eye catching stimuli that are moving fast with loud noises and filled with social information which humans innately crave. Overall, it seems that our technological innovations have just outpaced the brains ability to evolve. Companies and advertisers have then tapped into that disparity and used it for their gain and not yours. Let me be clear, however, that I’m not recommending throwing out your smartphone and moving into a log cabin in Alaska (although that does sound kinda nice). What I’m advocating for is fully looking at your phone, computer, and T.V. usage and asking yourself “how is this working out for me?”
- FACT: 80% of casual conversation is about social information. Highest dopamine (pay attention chemical) surge for gossip is negative information about someone slightly above you in rank and positive information about someone slightly below you.
- TAKEAWAY: Evolution is a hard thing to shake off and our brains are programmed to constantly be searching for opportunities or threats to where we stand in the hierarchy rank.
DAY 26 MOVEMENT
Freedom App
Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately and asked yourself who is truly in charge here? Is your screen the dictator of where your attention lies or do you control where your focus is? To give the response that “everybody’s doing it,” doesn’t however mean that it’s in your best interest. Giving up or cutting down on these sources of dopamine can feel as hard as giving up any addiction. It will be uncomfortable and anxiety provoking. For me personally, I couldn’t cut back on my phone and social media usage without help. So I downloaded an app named “Freedom.” This awesome tool helps controls how often I can get onto social media so I’m not tempted to reach out during my moments of inactivity. We’re all human and sometimes our brains don’t know what’s best for us, so use the resources you have around you to regain control.
- FACT: 36% of people have checked their phones during sex, teenagers text 3000 texts per month, kids on average have seven hours of screen time per day, 70% of people sleep with their phones.
- TAKEAWAY: We now spend more time with screens than we do with the people around us.
DAY 26 MOVEMENT
For today’s movement task check out the app called “Freedom” on the app store. You don’t have to buy it, just check it out. This app helps you when you can’t help yourself by letting you dictate when you can or cannot log onto certain websites that are stealing your time away from you.