Break Free of Digital Distractions

Our constant connection to technology leads to enormous stress and steep declines in productivity and satisfaction. Information overload keeps us from seeing the big picture: We�euro(TM)re trapped in the trees rather than seeing the whole forest. Conquer CyberOverload by Joanne Cantor (CyberOutlook Press, www.cyberoutlook.com) describes ways to take back our lives:

* Schedule regular breaks in which you leave technology behind and do something relaxing and fun. Alternating between intense focus and relaxation is the best way to achieve peak performance.

* Limit TV time. Research shows that the more TV people watch, the more stressed, anxious, and dissatisfied they are.

* Reduce contact with your messaging devices. Constant interruptions are so detrimental to the brain that you can begin to have symptoms of dementia. Turn off your cell phone for a few hours at a time. Change your e-mail so that it checks for messages once an hour rather than once a minute. There�euro(TM)s nothing so important in anyone�euro(TM)s life that it can�euro(TM)t wait at least that long.

* Keep in touch with people physically rather than virtually whenever you can. The important parts of communication�euro?the real connections �euro?don�euro(TM)t occur through technology. Body language makes up over 90% of people�euro(TM)s messages. Giving and receiving smiles produce pleasurable changes in the brain that can happen only in person.

* Practice single-tasking rather than multi-tasking. The truth is that what we call multi-tasking is really task-switching. Rather than doing two things at once, our brain is shifting back and forth between tasks. We end up doing neither one effectively. Do one thing at a time, with your full attention.

* Set your default browser page to something boring so you won�euro(TM)t be tempted to start surfing the Internet every time you turn on your computer.

If you come upon something interesting on the Internet, bookmark the page and go back to it later rather than letting it take you away from the task at hand.

As frequently as possible, perform a cyber cleansing. Turn everything off�euro?TVs, cell phones, computers, everything�euro?and just bask in the heavenly silence.

"The digital revolution is far more significant than the invention of writing or even of printing."

-Douglas Engelbart