Hey guys,
So it's Ruben here and this is about internet screen addiction.
I think we can all relate to this right in this crazy modern world that we're living in now.
I've got 18 years of experience and working with people with addictions and as a simple kind of introduction really what I would say is it's where The habit stops serving.
It stops serving us and starts controlling us,
Right?
It starts running.
Running us.
So scrolling even when it's not helping or not interested.
We can get so caught up in thinking that there's something wrong with us,
Like we're flawed in some way.
I can't just leave my phone alone.
You know,
Like the phones have been designed to pull you in.
They're so enticing,
Even the color of the phones and how they're.
Their interface is is enticing enough but then you've got the things that we watch on the internet right But here's the thing.
The brain can change.
So,
Yes,
You'll feel those pulls.
You'll feel like you just can't put it down.
But the brain can change.
Absolutely.
The science behind this is that dopamine,
Right?
So dopamine equals the anticipation.
The anticipation of finding that perfect reel,
Right?
Which is why we keep scrolling and keep scrolling and keep scrolling.
It's the anticipation behind it.
I'm just going to find that one because every now and again we do find something,
Right?
But what happens is it creates this kind of.
Spike.
Where we are anticipating.
And unfortunately that means that our dopamine levels drop below the normal baseline,
Which is why after we put the phone down,
We can just feel a bit yucky.
I don't know if that makes sense.
And maybe because it's subtle sometimes,
Maybe you haven't even.
.
.
Necessarily notice that and if you were to start doing that you you might even start noticing during scrolling that's a really good sign if whilst you're scrolling you're starting to notice this feels a bit off That's your body basically going.
I know that this is not right for me.
But then the brain comes in wanting the hit and then says,
Yes,
But keep going,
If that makes sense.
So there's kind of a contradiction in what happens in the body and the brain.
So.
It's variable in the reward.
It's like a slot machine.
It's the same thing by doing that scrolling every now and again,
You get the reward.
And then we want to keep checking for things,
Right?
So checking the notifications on our phone,
A sign of that becomes very,
Very,
It becomes very,
Very automatic.
Right and then you might even be able to relate to this stillness feels uncomfortable.
You've got your phone next to you and you sit still for a bit and then it just feels uncomfortable.
So the screen is an escape from being with yourself,
From being with ourselves.
And I can 100% relate to this as well.
Definitely,
Definitely.
So.
.
.
Interestingly we do have this capacity to be able to not be so pushed around by this What I would say is in the moment that you catch yourself,
Right?
Notice to notice your inner world so stop pause on the scrolling and just notice your inner world.
Feel the pull.
But don't act on it.
Notice the discomfort.
It will be subtle and it only needs to be subtle for the brain to know what the.
.
.
What the antidote is.
But just notice the discomfort when you feel the pull.
So you paused,
Feel the pull,
Don't act.
Notice the discomfort.
It's unfamiliar,
But it's not dangerous.
And this is what the brain doesn't really know it kind of thinks yeah no this is dangerous i need instant gratification i need to get away from this by by having this hit of the next real whichever one it is right or whatever it is that we're finding That's the important thing,
That this stuff happens.
Yes,
We might be sitting looking at the.
.
.
The net or scrolling for even an hour or two right we can all relate to it but it's only every now and again when we get that hit that actually is satisfying.
And the anticipation of searching for the next one is what builds.
And that's what builds the dopamine and actually crashes our dopamine as a result of that.
Because we're using it like too much.
So I hope that this has resonated with you.
I hope that you can find a little bit of time where you can reclaim some of your moments of meaningful connection back.
And yeah,
Silence.
With ourselves.
Where the clarity is so just have that little pause and recognize that when you're doing that and you're not actually scrolling you're rewiring your brain 4.
Unhooking from a habit that is unhealthy.
So you're rewiring your brain,
Telling your body,
Telling your brain that actually.
I don't need to be at the beckoning call of this.
I don't need to be at the pool.
Of every time.
It happens.
In my body and mind,
Right?
The thought.
.
.
The feeling,
The urge.
Sometimes it can be very automatic,
Right?
But just every time you notice,
Every time you pause,
You're rewiring.
And strengthening those connections that are associated with not succumbing to.
The internet or doom scrolling or whatever it is,
Instead of just succumbing to it.
So you've got this just from time to time.
See how you go.
And you'll start to notice that now and again,
You feel a bit more empowered.
You feel a bit more like you're getting some of your autonomy back and moments of connection back again.
And that's what you deserve.
