I apologize in advance for the irony of using a technologically-based medium to share information about the potential health risk that technology may pose…but then again, if you're using a computer to read this, and you've got PCOS, you may be a member of the exact choir I need to preach to.
Earlier this week, a New York Times article described research about the effect on the brain that constant brain stimulation from tech toys may be having. When rats have a unique experience, they seem to better retain what they learned from that experience if they are allowed to give their brain a break from the stimulation.
Every time a neuron is required to process information, you can consider that an oxidative moment. If you are constantly using your neurons without giving them a break, you are allowing them to be broken down more rapidly, and not providing them with the rest they need to recover. Eventually, they can't keep up with the input and they lose the ability to do their job efficiently.
As we have become able to carry the Internet with us, we've become less tolerant of quiet moments. We immediately jump to Facebook, Twitter, or IM's to fill the void. (The other day, I actually watched my clerk at the convenience store alternate texting someone while he rang up my purchase!) Shortened attention spans only decrease our patience, and that carries over to other aspects of our lives. We can't tolerate a half hour workout. We can't stick with a new way of eating long enough for it to work. We can't follow through with our wellness goals, because the discomfort that new behaviors inevitably brings can be avoided by Googling for the next best diet or exercise plan.
You've heard of mindfulness? I encourage you to work toward what I'm starting to call Technomindfulness. If you ignore it, you can't possibly be aware of how you feel, how hungry you really are, what kinds of stress signals your body might be trying to send to you in order to get some rejuvenation time.
Here are some ways to engage in Technomindfulness.
1. Challenge yourself to step away from your computer and your smart phone for a half hour. If it's hard, try 10 minutes. Gradually increase your time away. See how long you can go without checking for IM's and e-mails.
2. Limit Twitter use to the beginning and end of the day. Utilize a program such as Tweet Deck that can help you to organize your incoming information into categories.
3. Regularly review your Facebook friends list and remove individuals you have no productive need to keep up with. Again, keep a Facebook schedule.
4. Challenge yourself to exercise outdoors, without an iPod.
5. Keep your technology away from your dinner table and your bedroom.
6. Limit yourself to the use of one gadget at a time…no multitasking!
7. Challenge yourself to refrain from Tweeting about an event you may be at until the event is over. Just enjoy the event…you went to experience it, not Tweet about it!
8. Ask yourself when you have the urge to IM, if the person you were IM'ing were right in front of you, would you be having the same conversation? Or are you pushing buttons and sending messages simply because you can't tolerate that lack of stimulation.
9. Turn your IM program off for a day!
10. Save up your time reading our blog for one or two times a week. The information isn't going anywhere. I'd rather you read it and then log off and disappear for awhile…because then I know you're actually using it. Reading it at the expense of your exercise program is not how I intended us to be used!