Category

Mood

Category

Perspective is a unique and fascinating aspect of human beings. Every eye, every mind sees things through a different angle. As we grow, every cell in our body changes so does out perspective towards things. In today’s digital age every person has so many things to share, so many perspectives. We as consumers relate some of the content and or retain some perspectives we see.

But my real question is, Is there a right way? Or will your way of seeing things help me in any way? I recently finished a book named Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck. She talks of growth and fixed mindset. A fixed mindset is one which relates things based on talent, if you are best at it, you will be at the top. While a growth mindset takes every challenge as a medium to grow and learn. Now, Dr. Carol iterates that a growth mindset will help us in the long run in various areas of our lives be it personal or professional. Fixed mindset brings you difficulty to face challenges and eventually you reach a plateau than exercising your full potential. How can we be sure of what works best for us? What kind of outlook to life will bring us to a better state than today? Sometimes life seems meaningless as whichever outlook you choose, what is meant to happen will happen. Now, here the catch is, every outlook brings you a suiting reaction to a particular situation you’re dealing with. Maybe life is not about meaning its about our reaction to the journey we unfold.

So, there really isn’t a right way to live or the right choice that changes your life? No, there isn’t! Someone wise once told me “You just got to float in life”. Perhaps it’s more about embracing than changing.

How would I know, I too am penning down my introspection towards life. Some might agree, some might not.

Does this mean that we should stop and just live through what’s coming and going on presently? The journey leads us to multiple destinations based on our work and consistency of today. If we work and develop few atomic habits that really give us a sense of fulfilment and purpose, the life we have on Earth might be a little joyous. The ups and downs make us who we are and most importantly how we respond to them steers our direction.

Make sense? Well, let’s just say I wish all those who read this article specially those struggling to understand their purpose in life, might come to terms that it’s okay to be where you are and everything will eventually make some sense, if not all.

Also, if you feel otherwise, I would love to hear your philosophy of life and choices.

With screens providing instantaneous access to connectivity, education, and entertainment in this digital age, they have become an essential part of our everyday lives. Recent studies, however, point to a possible connection between excessive screen usage and behavioural problems like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially in young children and infants.

The Rise of Screen Time: From Outdoor Play to Digital Domains

Once upon a time, children roamed freely outdoors, their imaginations ignited by nature’s playground. But in today’s fast-paced world, the lure of screens has confined many children to virtual boxes, replacing the joys of outdoor exploration with the allure of digital entertainment. With the rise of smartphones, tablets, and computers, children are spending more time in front of screens than ever before, leading to concerns about the consequences of this sedentary lifestyle.

According to research in the Journal of the American Medical Association Paediatrics, children who grew up with a lot of screen time between the ages of two and three were more likely to exhibit behavioural issues by the time they were five years old. Another study published in JAMA Network Open suggested a potential association between screen time and autism symptoms in toddlers.

There is a complex relationship between more screen time and behavioural problems, including possible effects on the brain, which experts are actively researching. While studies are still being conducted, a number of important aspects are investigated to comprehend the relationship between children’s behavioural difficulties and excessive screen usage.

  1. Neurological Stimulation and Dopamine Release: Because of its interactive features and visually appealing content, screens can stimulate the nervous system more than usual. In response, the brain releases dopamine, a chemical linked to reward and pleasure. Particularly in growing brains, overstimulation and excessive dopamine release may lead to a desensitisation of the reward system, which may require more stimuli to produce the same degree of enjoyment. This tendency raises worries regarding the development of screen-related dependencies and is similar to the addictive nature of some substances.
  2. Social Isolation and Impairment of Social Skills: Children who spend too much time on screens may become socially isolated as a result of their increased screen time relative to in-person interactions. The development of critical social skills, such as empathy, communication, and nonverbal cue interpretation, might be impacted by a lack of in-person social experiences. An inability to create and sustain connections is one behavioural obstacle that could be caused by this social impairment.
  3. Decreased Physical Activity: A decrease in physical activity is frequently correlated with an increase in screen time. Sedentary behaviour has been linked to a number of behavioural problems, such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulties focusing. Problems with emotional control and mental health can also result from a lack of physical activity.
  4. Blue Light Exposure and Eye Strain: Blue light from screens can irritate and strain the eyes. Digital eye strain, which manifests as headaches, dry eyes, and trouble focusing, can be brought on by extended exposure. Anger and restlessness may be exacerbated by physical discomfort and visual stress, and they may even present as behavioural issues.
  5. Disrupted Attention and Executive Function: Prolonged screen usage might affect a growing brain’s capacity for sustained attention and executive function, particularly when exposed to fast-paced and constantly-changing information. Continuous exposure to stimuli that need quick attentional shifts may be a factor in difficulties with executive function, which includes sustained attention, impulse control, and task organisation and planning.

Individual reactions to screen exposure can differ, even though these factors offer some insight into the possible mechanisms underlying the association between screen time and behavioural issues. Furthermore, researchers highlight the necessity of conducting detailed and situation-specific research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of this connection and guide recommendations for children’s safe screen time.