Is the Web is making us smarter, dumber, or just plain different?
Nicholas Carr, author of a new book called The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, argues that all of our manic Web browsing (five seconds in email, two minutes on Facebook, 45 seconds on Twitter, etc.) is literally altering the way our brain absorbs and processes information, leading to short attention spans and "shallow" thinking -- in essence, making it near-impossible to sit down and read a book.
I asked Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D., one of the foremost experts in fitness and brain health and the author of Brainpower Game Plan: Food, Moves, and Games to Clear Brain Fog, Boost Memory, and Age-Proof Your Mind in 4 Weeks, for some advice on minimizing the potential negative effects of non-stop Web browsing. Here are her recs:
1. Exercise for 30 to 40 minutes, at least three days a week. Some of the strongest scientific evidence relevant to memory and mental sharpness shows that physical exercise (especially aerobic exercise) can improve brain health by reducing the risk of dementia and improving cognitive performance. "If you're a computer potato, get up once an hour and stretch, reposition yourself, and reduce eye strain," Green says.
Try this workout designed to sharpen the mind! More fun than Sudoku. I promise.
2. In the course of a day, the average worker only has 22 minutes of uninterrupted time to work. When you do have time off, balance this out by opting for activities that require focus. Green suggests knitting, reading, or rock climbing. Or, if you want to get even more Zen, yoga and mediation are also good options. What's most important is that it's something you like to do -- so you'll be willing to give it your full attention.
3. Socialize. People who spend a lot of time on their computers have limited face-to-face contact throughout the day. According to Green, engaging in in-person conversations is a kind of exercise for the brain -- you're reading people's expressions and engaging yourself. This type of stimulation is impossible to achieve via instant messaging.
Do you think the Web is messing with your brainpower? How do you give yourself mental health breaks throughout the day?