ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel ASAP Science What Happens To Your Brain When You Mindlessly Scroll?
Have you ever wondered how your phone affects your brain? It’s pretty fascinating! On average, people in the United States touch their phones about 2,600 times a day. This constant interaction can actually change how your brain works. Let’s explore what happens if you decide to take a break from your phone.
In the first hour of quitting your phone, you might find yourself reaching for it several times. This is because most people check their phones around 52 times a day. It’s a habit that’s hard to break!
After 12 hours, you might start to feel a bit anxious. This happens because not checking your phone can cause your body to release a stress hormone called cortisol. Your phone affects certain pathways in your brain that are linked to rewards. Every notification or message acts like a tiny reward, changing how these pathways work.
After a full day without your phone, some people experience FOMO, or the fear of missing out. This can make your heart beat faster and raise your blood pressure. Tech companies know how these brain pathways work and design their products to keep you hooked.
By the third day, you might feel your phone vibrating or ringing even when it’s not there. But here’s the good news: this is when positive changes start to happen. Without the distraction of your phone, your relationships might improve. People often see those who aren’t glued to their phones as better communicators.
After five days, you might notice your attention span getting better. You could find yourself doing better at school or work. Research shows that heavy phone use can hurt your ability to focus, so cutting back can really help.
Two weeks without your phone can lead to lower anxiety levels and even reduce symptoms of depression. Plus, you might feel less neck and wrist pain, as using your phone too much can cause discomfort and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you’re looking to improve your habits, there’s an app called Fabulous that can help. It uses science-backed routines to help you build better habits and improve your well-being. If you’re curious, the first 500 people who click the link can get 25% off Fabulous premium.
Thanks for reading! If you’re on your phone right now, try turning it off for a couple of days and see how you feel. You might be surprised by the positive changes!
Try a “Phone-Free Challenge” for a day. Keep a journal to record how you feel at different times without your phone. Note any changes in your mood, focus, or interactions with others. Share your experiences with the class and discuss the challenges and benefits you observed.
Research how notifications and rewards affect brain pathways. Create a poster or digital presentation explaining these pathways and how they are influenced by phone use. Present your findings to the class to help everyone understand the science behind phone addiction.
Engage in a mindfulness exercise for 10 minutes each day for a week. Focus on being present and aware of your surroundings without any digital distractions. Reflect on how this practice affects your stress levels and concentration, and share your reflections with your classmates.
Participate in a class debate on the pros and cons of technology use. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering how technology impacts mental health, social interactions, and productivity. This will help you develop critical thinking skills and understand different perspectives.
Design a personal plan to manage your technology use more effectively. Set specific goals for screen time reduction and include activities that promote well-being, such as exercise or hobbies. Share your plan with a partner and provide feedback to each other on how to improve it.
This episode is sponsored by Fabulous. Your phone changes your brain. The average American touches their phone 2,600 times per day, and this constant scrolling has altered your brain’s neurology. So, what would happen to your brain and body if you tried to quit your phone?
After one hour of quitting, you may find yourself reaching for your phone three to four times, as the average person picks up their phone 52 times a day. After 12 hours, you might start to feel anxious, as not checking your phone can release the stress hormone cortisol. This is due to how your phone affects three neural pathways in your brain that are activated when anticipating or experiencing a reward. Notifications, text messages, and social media updates act as mini-rewards, physically changing how these pathways work.
In the absence of your phone, the lack of stimulus can lead to increased cortisol levels. When you’re endlessly scrolling or using social media, positive interactions reward the brain, causing a release of dopamine. Each notification or message acts as a mini-reward, creating strong associations that lead to habitual phone checking.
After 12 hours of quitting, you may experience increased anxiety due to the lack of these stimuli. After 24 hours, some people report feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out), which can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure. Tech companies have studied these neuronal concepts to keep you engaged with their products, creating a cycle of reward anticipation that can be hard to break.
On day three of quitting, many people start to feel phantom vibrations or ringing from their phones that are no longer there. However, this is also when positive changes may begin. You might notice improvements in your relationships, as you’re no longer distracted by your phone. Studies have shown that people perceive those who don’t check their phones as having better communication and increased relationship satisfaction.
After five days of quitting, your attention span may increase, and you might find yourself performing better at work or school. Research indicates that heavy smartphone use can negatively impact focus and cognitive performance. Those who reduce their phone use often see improvements in their ability to concentrate.
After two weeks of no phone use, anxiety levels may decrease, and some studies suggest a reduction in depression symptoms. Additionally, you may experience less neck and wrist pain, as prolonged phone use can lead to physical discomfort and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Thank you to Fabulous for sponsoring this video. It’s an app that helps with phone addiction and other life aspects by using science-backed routines to build better habits. It has helped me improve my daily routines and overall well-being.
If you’re interested in improving your habits, the first 500 people who click the link will get 25% off Fabulous premium. Thank you for watching, and if you’re on your phone right now, consider turning it off for a couple of days and see how you feel.
Brain – The organ inside the head that controls thoughts, memory, feelings, and activity. – The brain is responsible for processing all the information we receive from our senses.
Anxiety – A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. – Before her big presentation, she felt a lot of anxiety, but she managed to calm herself down by taking deep breaths.
Cortisol – A hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. – High levels of cortisol can affect your mood and make it difficult to concentrate.
Fomo – Fear of missing out; the anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere. – He felt a strong sense of FOMO when he saw his friends posting pictures from the concert he couldn’t attend.
Focus – The ability to concentrate on a task without being distracted. – To improve her focus while studying, she turned off her phone and found a quiet place to work.
Habits – Regular practices or routines that are hard to give up. – Developing healthy habits, like exercising regularly and eating nutritious foods, can improve your overall well-being.
Relationships – The way in which two or more people are connected and interact with each other. – Strong relationships with family and friends can provide support during difficult times.
Depression – A mental health disorder characterized by persistently low mood and loss of interest in activities. – Depression can make it hard to enjoy things that used to bring happiness.
Well-being – The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. – Regular exercise and a balanced diet contribute to a person’s overall well-being.
Pain – An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. – Chronic pain can affect a person’s mood and make daily activities challenging.
