Brain Bulletin #96 - When Was the Last Time You Had a Great Idea?
in Brain Bulletin|
When was the last time you had a great idea? John Cleese once said, "We don't know where we get our ideas from. What we do know is that we do not get them from our laptops." Indeed. And I'm pretty sure you don't get your great ideas staring into your smartphone. Electronic devices have become the great distraction. Moments of brilliance are hard to come by when your brain is distracted. Smartphones are ubiquitous. Many people seem addicted. One study even found that 68% of people place their phones next to their beds when sleeping. Smartphone addiction has a name - nomophobia. This term was created by British researchers in 2008 to identify people who experience anxiety when they have no access to mobile technology. Nomophobia has its first recovery center in southern California. Needing “anything” in order to feel at ease or normal is technically a disability. Remember, your brain wires to be good at what it does. If you spend a lot of time being distracted, your brain gets good at being distracted. Neuroplasticity cuts both ways. What price is paid? Your creativity and self-reflection suffer, and great ideas become scarce. Here is a short video to watch. One of the best I've seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRl8EIhrQjQ Studies show that down time, even boredom, is good for you brain. We all need more of it. When a momentary gap appears in your day, instead of mindlessly reaching for your phone, mindfully let your mind wander. Eureka moments usually come during periods of inactivity. I wonder what would have happened if Isaac Newton had been on his smartphone sitting under the tree? He probably would have fired off an angry tweet about falling apples hitting his head. Instead he came up with a great idea. Create some blank space in your day, and your brain will likely respond with a great idea or two. Seth Godin recently had a great post on five steps to mental hygiene: "Washing your hands helps you avoid getting sick. Putting fattening foods out of your reach helps you stay slim. And the provocations and habits you encounter in the digital world keep you productive (or drive you crazy):
Each habit is hard to swallow and easy to maintain. Worth it." (end) Here's one more reason to put your smartphone down: What does Multitasking Do to Your Brain?
Congratulations on learning something about your brain today. The Brain Bulletin is committed to help to do just that. If you missed any Brain Bulletins you can find them in the Brain Bulletin Archive: Also, something great and ongoing for your brain: Follow the Brain Guy on Twitter: You can join Terry Small's 3801 followers for free on Twitter: www.twitter.com/terrysmall I just posted a great article on 7 Science-Based Reasons to Laugh Every Chance You Get! www.twitter.com/terrysmall I will be posting, or tweeting as it's called, regularly about the brain. What I'm reading, watching, thinking, doing....all as it relates to your brain. Twitter restricts tweets to 140 characters, so it is always quick and to the point. No time wasting! The Brain Bulletin is now on Twitter as well: www.twitter.com/brainbulletin Twitter has the easiest sign up page in the world. Even if you are not on Twitter you can check out my tweets here:
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And, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySmallTheBrainguy My favourite book this month was "The Brain's Way of Healing - Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity" by Norman Doidge. A great read. It has been a busy, fun couple of months. Highlights were presentations in Ireland, Aspen, Vancouver Island, and lots of sessions in Vancouver. Best of all, a long brain-break on the Baja. The Baja is a great place to carry out the neural trash! Also, I have confirmed another speaking tour in Germany in January, 2016. This FREE Brain Bulletin is received by over 30,000 brains. Please forward it to other brains. |
