As nearly everyone in the developed world now has a smartphone, and there have been some that see the advent as a distraction from normal life and responsibilities. Apart from children choosing smartphones over chores being a nuisance, doctors now claim it is a much more serious implication as constant interruptions from alerts and messages on smartphones can impact human brain chemistry.
Many can attest to the fact that it is tough concentrate when one’s smartphone is buzzing, dinging, or ringing constantly throughout the day. The notifications from friends, family, and social media is actually pattern that scientists say creates a “switch cost.”
In a report from CBS, Dr. Scott Bea, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, explained the new studies that have been done on a fairly new widespread technology. “There’s this phenomenon they call switch cost that when there’s an interruption we switch away from the task that we were at and then we have to come on back,” he said. Bea added, “We think it interrupts our efficiency with our brains, by about 40 percent. Our nose is always getting off the grindstone, then we have to reorient ourselves.”
Technology, at least personalized versions like smartphones, has put the brain on high alert for nearly every waking hour, always waiting for the next call, text, or notification. Doctors say that when this occurs, people get surges of the stress hormone cortisol.
As people become more anxiety-ridden throughout the day because of this, heart rates can spike, muscles tighten, and perspiration increases. Doctors say breaking that pattern involves creating a new habit, which can take time.
“Initially, when you start trying to stay away from the technology, or confine it, you’ll be a little uncomfortable, you’ll have that fear of missing out, or a little anxiety that something is getting past you, but with practice, your brain can get used to it,” said Bea.
Breaking the minute-to-minute technology habit is also difficult because experts say there can be an addictive component to technology. As the brain gets rewarded with constant updates and other stimulation, the behavior is repeated.
