Concentration Problems Due to Addiction to New Technologies

The unprecedented technological evolution that we have experienced in recent years has given us the possibility of incorporating a wide variety of new useful electronic devices into our daily lives, but not all that glitters is gold.

Sometimes, the misuse of these devices linked to ICT leads us to relatively easily develop a relationship of dependency towards everything that has to do with the Internet and other virtual platforms such as WhatsApp, which has as one of its consequences the tendency to have trouble concentrating.

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How does addiction to new technologies generate concentration problems in us?

If something characterizes the world of the Internet and the society that is interconnected at all times through transmission and reception systems and messages, it is that it allows us to constantly receive stimuli. This makes it very easy to lose track of time when using, for example, social networks, where an algorithm always offers us content that fits our tastes and interests and it doesn’t stop until we decide to leave that page.

Thanks to this invitation to always expose ourselves to content that catches our attention, new technologies “pull on us,” on our mind, so that even when we are not using them, the temptation to take the smartphone out of the closet can come to mind. pocket and see what are the latest posts on Instagram, the latest messages in friends’ group chat, etc.

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This phenomenon is known as FOMO: fear of missing out. In other words, we are under the pressure of missing out on interesting experiences which in most cases we could access in a matter of seconds if we wanted. And the fact of being aware that this option is always there, that at any moment we could feel good or release tension by checking the screen, makes it very difficult to maintain concentration on any task or process, in addition to being the seed of addiction. to new technologies.

Therefore, it is essential that we learn to manage our attention focus and not always fall into the trap of checking our cell phone over and over again, having the computer always on and in sight in case at any moment we change plans and give in to the impulse to browse. on the Internet, etc.

How to overcome addiction to new technologies?

As with most behavioral addictions, addiction to new technologies can be successfully treated by a qualified professional.

Thus, asking a psychotherapist for help is the first step to begin to get out of the maelstrom of self-sabotage to which this dependence on devices connected to the network induces us. Now, in parallel with psychotherapy, a series of routines and strategies can also be used to help break this behavioral pattern.

1. Use guidelines to reduce the hours of device use

To begin to overcome our addiction we can begin our improvement reducing the hours of exposure to electronic devices by imposing clear limits ; for example, following a schedule that indicates in a very defined way when we can use these technologies.

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2. Share your own feelings

Sharing the feelings that addiction generates in us is of great importance and this can be done, again, in the company of friends, family or a psychologist. This is a way to express emotions and feelings that we were not paying attention to and those of us who tried to escape through distractions through video games, browsing social networks, etc.

With the help of a psychology professional we will learn to identify our own feelings and therefore know ourselves better.

3. Reincorporate daily healthy lifestyle habits

Some habits that we had lost during the course of addiction must be reincorporated into our daily lives with the aim of improving our quality of life.

Some of these habits may be carrying out daily physical activity, healthy sleeping habits that allow us to rest at night, or daily hygiene habits.

4. Cultivate a social life

Dedicate a few hours a week to cultivate our previously neglected social life It will be a good way to rebuild social relationships that may have been broken.

Maintaining a healthy and active social life will have a positive impact on our mental health and will help us improve the problem.