Let’s explore an often underestimated source of modern stress: our relationship with modern technology … smartphone stress and technology stress.
Flight or Fight
Delving deeper into the science, the very act of a smartphone notification triggers an abrupt release of cortisol, our body’s primary stress hormone. This fight-or-flight hormone would have likely been released by an ancient ancestor in response to being chased by a predator, such as a saber-tooth tiger. In that situation, the release of cortisol and other neurotransmitters were protective of our species. Their release at the proper time elevated heart rates and blood pressure. It also diverted blood from certain parts of our bodies to where it was needed most to fight or flee our predator: our heart, arms and legs. This evolutionary response was a matter of life or death. Does our ancestor successfully escape its predator or become its meal?
I doubt technology developers envisioned this untoward response to using a smart device. If they did, I doubt it would have stopped the development.
The Chronic Cost of Cortisol in the Digital Age
The release of cortisol, even during less stressful or chronic events, carries unwanted physiological and inflammatory effects on our body and nervous system. Over the years that humans have developed, we have yet to incorporate the impact of smartphones. What I gather from observing the distracted cycler’s behavior (from my previous blog) and understanding the science of distraction, to benefit from exercise, free yourself of interruptions and distractions, especially from smartphones. This helps you maximize the physical and mental gains you hope to achieve.
The Constant Barrage
Our brains are not evolutionarily equipped to handle the constant barrage of data, “likes” and notifications from our smartphone, thereby contributing significantly to technology stress (as Gazzaley and Rosen highlight in their work “The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World” (MIT Press, 2016) on the distracted mind).
The release of cortisol from the resulting stress negatively impacts our overall health. It also contributes to chronic inflammation as well as immune and metabolic dysfunction.
Self-Evaluation Time
How has your use of smartphone technology affected your behavior? How has it impacted your exercise? Has it impacted your relationships? Have you experienced the rush of cortisol and other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, the pleasure/reward/addiction neurotransmitter when you receive a text or notification?
What small step will you take today to prioritize your health? Share your thoughts with me at [email protected]
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To a long and healthy life,
David Bernstein, MD
Note: In my next blog I will address the dopamine trap and share my thoughts and observations about the “always-on” culture, smartphone addiction, and more about the stressful lives we live and the hazards that lie ahead. Stay tuned.
A human (David Bernstein) generated this blog content with the polishing aid of artificial intelligence.
