Why have we gained such a dependency on social media and technology!?
Dr. Dan Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, discusses exactly how social media is actually physically rewiring our brains. (check out the video HERE.)
Here are some of the facts that blew my mind... (ha. Pun NOT intended)!
Dr Siegel discusses that the brain is the social organ of the body; our brains created social media and in turn, social media continues to mold and rewire our brains to keep up with this social media technology. This is why social media has completely gone bonkers and taken over with all types of platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, Linkedin etc ) within the last 10 years.
Dr. Dan Siegel explains that the more time that people are using non-verbal signals
(social media, email, texting) and not giving face to face time, the more we are teaching ourselves (and future generations) to live and experience the world on a surface level.
(social media, email, texting) and not giving face to face time, the more we are teaching ourselves (and future generations) to live and experience the world on a surface level.
THIS MEANS we are choosing the seemingly easy outward projection instead of seeking DEEPER meaning. Disregarding the need to look inward and use critical thinking, internal judgement or self monitoring/healthy personal check ups.
This is a major issue for many reasons... But most importantly we desperately NEED social/personal interactions!!! If we let that part of ourselves become numb? We will stop searching for a deeper meaning and lose connection to everything meaningful in this life.
Can you imagine living your life at surface level?
Next time you are at a public place, or waiting in line, eating at a restaurant or doing anything that requires standing around in a large crowd, look up and around you. Take all of 10 seconds to notice that everyone is looking down at a device instead of looking up.
AsapSCIENCE also had some super insightful things to share on this psychological dependency that is truly JARRING when you think about how it is effecting you & I, right now. (check it out HERE).
Technology is triggering our brains in ways never before seen in history. We are craving more of this neurological excitement that social media has to offer 24/7/365!
(for all of you who struggle with this as a business owner or as a personal consumer, come read part one "Story Time..."about my personal experience HERE ).
Have you ever felt like you had a text or heard a notification? Yeah, me too... Our technology is actually allowing our brains to not only rewire itself, but also it is rewiring our nervous systems with things like phantom vibrations & alerts.
Have you ever felt like you had a text or heard a notification? Yeah, me too... Our technology is actually allowing our brains to not only rewire itself, but also it is rewiring our nervous systems with things like phantom vibrations & alerts.
Social media releases dopamine the feel good chemical. The same part of the brain that stimulates feelings of love, motivation are stimulated when you use social media. It’s even more rewarding when you know there are people listening (aka have followers).
Studies have shown that talking about yourself is more rewarding than listening to others. (Hence why majority of people are not good listeners, even if you think you are.)
30- 40% of our real-life conversations are expressing and interacting with each other and our experiences, compared to 80% of social media communications that's self involved.
In short terms? Our brains are rewarding us for talking about ourselves online, and social media provides the immediate rewards with little to no effort.
Yes. social media has allowed us to increase our communication (specifically when were physically apart).
Yes. social media has allowed us to increase our communication (specifically when were physically apart).
It also has decreased our communication with those who are intimately involved in our lives; who are physically right here.
Part three coming up next week is all about HOW TO STOP looking at your phone so much, and what action steps you need to take to jump out of the FOMO (fear of missing out) mentality and into controlling your own life by making your phone work for YOU!!
CHALLENGE 2: #freetheweekend
ACTION: Make your list of things you LOVE doing as well as things you've been putting off!
When we actively make a plan of things we deem more meaningful than a 'quick' scroll (aka 20,30,40+ minute scroll...) to consume the mind, we'll begin to show ourselves why we don't need to be monitoring & dependent on social media.
This is a SUPER important step as we are heading into an ENTIRE MONTH of #freetheweekend and no socials Friday night--Monday morning.
ACTION: Make your list of things you LOVE doing as well as things you've been putting off!
When we actively make a plan of things we deem more meaningful than a 'quick' scroll (aka 20,30,40+ minute scroll...) to consume the mind, we'll begin to show ourselves why we don't need to be monitoring & dependent on social media.
This is a SUPER important step as we are heading into an ENTIRE MONTH of #freetheweekend and no socials Friday night--Monday morning.
CHALLENGE: Last week we took it easy on and allowed kept our apps still on your phone, just hidden (check it out HERE ). This weekend? We're taking it up a notch.
Delete the ONE APP that causes you the most stress, anxiety and brings the most PULL to check/ keep tabs. Back in the day, it would be Snapchat (if I had it) but now it is Instagram; 100%.
Uninstall it.
Do NOT log back in.
Starting Friday at 6pm DELETE THAT APP!
CHALLENGE x2: Take it up a notch & reach out to someone whom you haven't spoken with in a while.
Text them that youre thinking about them and would like to catch up!. Set up a video chat with them, call them, or a lunch date!
Some other interpersonal conversation that doesn't involve talking about oneself.
We're starting to give back confidence and self awareness! This is all leading up the Big Kahuna.
