Feeling Empty?

We could watch Netflix, play video games or scroll on social media all day long. It’s a relaxed Sunday, isn’t it?

But it is so hard for many to go for a walk, go to the gym or do the dishes.It does not contain new information or feed us with easy success. It requires work.

What makes us addicted?

There are two big categories why activities are addictive. They both base on one of the most important neurotransmitters in our brain:

Dopamine.

 Information

Without dopamine, we probably wouldn’t even be able to live. Dopamine makes us do things that could save our survival in the future. This includes food gathering, Sex and also information gathering. We are constantly driven to soak up information about our environment. Any information could be important to our survival.

Addiction

Modern humans have existed for about 200,000 years. And back then, seeing a lion kill a gazelle was essential for survival. How fast is the lion? Can he climb trees? Does he avoid water? It could provide information about how we might flee from a lion one day and save our life.

We do not run from dangerous animals anymore, but the addiction to information gathering is still there. And that addiction is being fed by social media and Netflix.

Be mindful of your consumption 

Social Media gives us constant information about the world out there, about competition and impressions. Anything could be important.

Emptiness 

With that in mind, moving into 2023 , be wise with your time on social media.There is this feeling of emptiness after doing a highly dopaminergic task. And we switch to another one.