How to overcome with anxiety and enhance memory

The Human Brain -: Mental health -:  Digital media

The human brain often likened as “conscious learning neural network”. This 1.3 to1.5 kilograms organ inside the skull, floating on cerebrospinal fluid, which works on 20 volts of electricity and chemical responses generated by human body; continuously learn and processes vast amounts of information received through our five senses – sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. The Brain with its intricate network of neurons and synapses (about 100 billion neurons and over 100 trillion synaptic connections) serves as a powerful mechanism; that records and stores all the information received by our five sensory receptors in three areas of brain; hippocampus, the neo-cortex and the amygdala is called “memory”.

The Senses and Memory

Each of our five senses – sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch – is a gateway through which the brain receives data from the external world. These sensory inputs trigger the formation of distinct types of memories, creates a rich tapestry of experiences. The intricate process involves the encoding of sensory information into short-term memory, and subsequently, its consolidation into long-term memory through neural connections. “Thought” comes from memory. The intricate interplay between memory, thought and emotions represents the nuanced nature of human expressions.

The stored information derived from our two receptors “visual and auditory” are the major foundation for our vast amount of memories and higher cognitive functions. The way we think, feel and behave is an accumulation and manifestation of our memories. Our memories are the main ‘ingredients” that ultimately helps in shaping our thoughts, perception, interpretation, subjective emotional experience, beliefs, judgment and decision making ability to survive better the way we create our world and stimulate the future in which we appear.

While people used to believe that the brain became fixed after a certain age, newer research has revealed that the brain never stops changing in response to learning. Modern research has demonstrated that the brain continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing ones in order to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and create “new memories”.

The importance of Visual and Auditory memories

Visual and auditory memories play very pivotal roles in cognitive functioning; comprises multiple cognitive domains, such as language, visual construction, perception, attention, and executive functions. The brain can process (think and plan) better; if individual is rich in memories. While plasticity of neurons occurs throughout the lifetime.

The importance of quality and quantity of content consumption

Both visual and auditory memories contribute to the rich tapestry of experiences that guide our perceptions and understanding of the world around us. The content we expose to ourselves has a profound impact on our thought processes and emotional experience. Whether it’s the images we see or the sounds we hear, the brain absorbs and interprets this information, influencing the development of our thoughts and perspectives. Good quality content consumption fosters critical thinking, empathy, and a nuanced understanding of diverse viewpoints, while unhealthy content consumption can lead to distorted perceptions, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness.

Influence on emotional experiences and behavior

The emotional experiences we undergo are closely linked to the content we consume. Positive and enriching content can evoke feelings of joy, inspiration, and empathy, contributing to a healthier emotional state. On the contrary, exposure to excessive negativity, violence, or misinformation can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, and negatively impact one’s behaviour. The brain’s response to content shapes emotional well-being and influences how individuals feels and interact with the world.

Ways of healthy spending time and content consumption on digital media

This is true that, in the third decade of 21^st century, we cannot function without digital platforms. But we can develop healthy ways to maintain the balance in life.

Ensuring a healthy ways…

1. Accuracy and Reliability: Choose content from reputable sources to avoid misinformation.
2. Diversity: Consume a variety of content to broaden perspectives and foster understanding.
3. Positive Engagement: Engage with content that promotes positivity, inspiration, and personal growth.
4. Limit social media use on platforms that include counts of likes or encourage excessive use.
5. Use screen time settings available on most devices or on platforms to help set limits and learn self-control.
6. Prohibit screen time that interferes with at least 8 hours of sleep a night to ensure healthy brain development among all age group individuals.
7. Balance: Maintain a balance between online and offline activities to prevent overconsumption.
8. Engage yourself in physical exercise or playing outdoor games every day for 20-40 minutes.
9. Spend more time with family and friends.
10. Practice mindfulness.

“The way we think, feel and behave is an accumulation and manifestation of our memories”.

The amount of investment of time and consumption of quality content from digital platforms significantly influences the trajectory of human development and mental health. By being mindful of the content we expose to ourselves and adhering healthy ways we can shape a positive and well-rounded worldview, contributing to a more harmonious and informed society.

Welcome to life.

Live fully.

Live healthy

Live again