I've been online quite a bit....perhaps too much.
It seems we pay a big price to be so "wired" and so directed in our attention.
The constant focus that's required as we gaze at our laptops, cellphone screens, TVs and personal electronic devices can lead us to feel irritable, unable to concentrate and feeling ungrounded. It's a condition called "directed attention fatigue"(DAF) by Dr. Rachel Kaplan (U. of Michigan) one of the earlier researchers in cognition and environment.
She notes "What is popularly called 'being stressed out' may more accurately be a reflection of a worn out attentional capacity."
Studies done by Dr. Kaplan and colleagues (January 2010 issue of
Perspectives on Psychological Science) support the fact that there are "restorative" environments to reverse and/or prevent such mental exhaustion.
For example, we'd do well to stop for a moment and take a walk in the park or daydream while looking at the sky. The "voluntary" attention involved in interacting with natural settings is associated with lower stress levels, improved mental clarity and less aggression.
So, whether it's checking into Facebook, answering emails, watching TV or texting friends by phone (and playing solitaire while you wait for a response), let's take a break together.
For a more in-depth look at DAF theory and research check out:
R. Kaplan and S. Kaplan (1989) The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Eric Jaffe's great summary at
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/this-side-of-paradise
Great DAF website called Troutfoot Science at
http://www.troutfoot.com/attn/index.html
Promise you'll take that walk first!
