Keeping up with the News- FOMO or Brain Foe?

It is easy to get caught in the negative news feeds, especially during times of uncertainty. This is understandable, as one is grasping for answers to the unknown. Yet, even beyond this drive, our devices and media have been designed to “reset” our brain to “tune-out” rather than to tune-into our own innate wisdom.

Previously, I touched upon this topic. I explained how our smartphone apps, status updates, and social media selfies have become a form of addiction. In fact, it has been shown that this constant stimulation causes a shift in the brain’s programming and a rewiring of the nervous system signaling pathways to reinforce this technology-driven behavior.

In other words, the more you watch the tube or post on Instagram, the more you are programming your brain to want to.

There are different types of addictive patterns in the brain. I’m not suggesting this technological obsession is the same as substance abuse, but the bottom line is that for many people it’s hard to turn off their phones and television. Our brains have become accustomed to be in a constant state of alert, vigilance, and craving for the next “dopamine hit,” or adrenaline rush in the form of the latest breaking headline, provocative email blast, viral YouTube video, mean tweet, or celebrity gossip.

We can break this pattern, however, if we make the choice.

Now is the perfect time for many of us to do just that.

We can use this time of “pause” to practice something different.

Just like any substance, we can choose to “put down” our devices and replace them with something nourishing for our minds. By being consistent with this, we will form new neural pathway loops in our brain that actually crave calm over chaos. Mindfulness and essential oils are examples of helpful tools that one can use to get us out of a fearful state and into this more rational and relaxed mindset. (source, source)

Be being more present in a state of stillness, we can then take back our ability to use technology to stay connected, rather than making it more important than being inwardly linked.

In my latest post, I am taking this to heart for myself. I have taken a different approach to my updates and resources on the pandemic. Although I still provide tools for keeping you informed listed at the end of my article, my focus has shifted to reflective readings that take a deeper look into what is happening on the global scale.

It is an invitation to draw you to tune-in.

I encourage you to read my introduction, review the excerpts provided, and take-in the full articles of those that you resonate with.

It is my hope these readings will make you ponder and ignite your resilient nature.

After all, when all of this ends, which it will, we have the ability to reemerge into an even better “new normal.”

Looking back, we may realize that this time did serve a purpose, for the world, for us, and the environment.

Click here to read more.