Technology, Stress, and Your Brain

How to balance stress and technology for a healthier lifestyle.

Advertisement
 

Yes, we love the way our computers, PDAs, video games, and iPods have revolutionized our lives and let us stay connected and entertained 24/7. But there may be a downside for our health, says Gary Small, MD, author of iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind. For one thing, digital immersion can cause us to lose the social connections that protect us from stress. And video games -- while they may improve eye-hand coordination and even help train surgeons and pilots -- may also suppress the frontal lobe of the brain, hindering memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. "It's not all good; it's not all bad," says Dr. Small. "It's about finding the right balance."

His tips for taking control:


Add up your total leisure time spent with technology. The average American spends six hours a day on digital entertainment (including TV and video games). Aim to reduce the total by 10 to 20 percent, freeing up more time for family and friends.

Make regular family dinners a priority. Research shows that teenagers who talk about their day with family members at the dinner table (instead of eating alone in front of a screen) are less likely to engage in high-risk behavior.

Vary your tasks. Alternating between chores throughout the day reduces the stress associated with a computer-centered lifestyle. Switch often between answering e-mails, returning calls, and writing a document.

From Reader's Digest - November 2008
 
Must Read Should Everyone Read This? Yes! I vote for this story
Share Your Comments
 
Remaining Character Count:
 
See All Comments
  • Most Popular
  • How to Finish a Basement: Framing and Insulating
    How to frame a basement and install insulation.
  • 6 Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes
    Bake a batch of any of these easy to follow recipes or just drool over the stunning Christmas cookie pictures.
  • Spinach, Pear, and Shaved Parmesan Salad
    A spinach salad, especially one with ripe fall pears, is a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving table. The salad can be served in a large bowl as part of a buffet, or on individual salad plates alongside the main course.
  • Delicata Squash Soup with Parmesan Croutons
    Delicata squash, as its name implies, is a finely flavored, richly sweet winter squash with a nearly fibreless flesh. Cylindrical in shape, with elongated ridges, this squash has yellow to pale orange skin with green striations. Its beautiful yellow flesh and delicate flavor make it perfect for this puréed soup.
  • Thanksgiving Desserts
    It will be difficult to wait until the end of the meal for these gorgeous desserts.

Advertisement
 
Related Links

Advertisement
Popular stories from the source site rd.com sorted by diggs