So this kind of freaked me out…
Coda wincing from email overload.
I recently stumbled across the below infographic (ironically while mindlessly surfing the web), and the implications are startling. In particular the part that says “it took 5 days for participants to have more natural, variable heart rates after being cut off from email” drew my attention.
I know I typically write about losing fat, getting stronger, and staying in shape but what the hell is the sense of getting fit if your brain is always on high alert like some damned lab rat waiting on the random food pellet to be released as it compulsively hits the feeder lever?
But I’m not going to belabor the issue either. I think the info graphic speaks for itself and I definitely noticed the symptoms of multi-tasking in myself when I honestly reflected. At a minimum I think it’s worth some self-experimentation with limiting digital access and I’ll share with you my planned experiments after the infographic. But first… Here’s the infographic:
Via: OnlineUniversities.cominfo
So what can we do about it? Below are a few “rules” that I’m going to establish for the next month to see if I notice a benefit to my productivity and health:
• Do work before checking email and social media. Currently the first thing I do each day is check email, Twitter, and Facebook. I will be blocking off the first hour of the day to do high priority work before checking email or social networks.
• Block off specific times for email and social media. I will be limiting email and Facebook to twice per day, 9:30am and 4:30pm, in 30 minute blocks (I’m lucky in that I don’t get that much email and should be able to handle it in two 30 minute blocks if I stay focused). Twitter will be kept to the same twice per day blocks, but also stay open between 7:00pm – 8:00pm as I often connect with friends and other bloggers during that time.
• No cell phone in the bedroom. I was sleeping with my iPhone on my bedside table because I used it as an alarm clock. But when I thought about it, I was also checking email, Twitter, and Words With Friends as I tried to fall asleep. Now I still use it as an alarm clock, but I put the phone on “Airplane Mode” and plug it into my stereo in the living room.
• Computer and cell phone off at 8:00pm Monday – Friday. No excuses. Same for Saturday with the exception of cell phone staying on after 8:00pm in the rare instance that I’m out socially and I need to connect with someone.
• Sundays are digital free. No computer. No cell phone. This one will be tough to do with the computer as I always seem to have some project going on (new Kindle book coming soon!), but with some pre-planning I can make it happen.
What do you think? Is the digital lifestyle hampering your productivity and maybe even your health? Have you implemented any “rules” about digital access that have helped? Are you going to try limiting your digital access for 30 days or other period of time as an experiment? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Stay strong,
Vic
I've been helping people lose weight and get fit since 2001. To learn more about my simple approach to health and fitness 
This is interesting. I’ve written a couple of essays this week alone on the realization that I spend too much time reading (predominantly online) and less time doing. What I worry about with putting restrictions on are what are your replacement tasks? In other words, what do you plan to do instead?
Last night, to get my mind off going online, I decided to watch a local band for free at the coffee shop and then when I got home, I found that I still had some time on my hands, so I actually sat down to meditate and clear my mind. I generally meditate only in the mornings, but this extra meditation session helped to quell the desire to go back online. I find that turning within is the most effective stress buster, and for that matter, it helps to obliterate any desires at the forefront of my mind.
BTW, am on day 5 of the Beginner’s program of 40 Days Fit and I would have never thought that such short gym sessions would be as effective as they are. Holy crap am I sore…
- Charlie
Thanks for your comment, Charlie. Instead of being on the computer from 8 – 10pm like I used to be, I’ve designated that time for stretching or grip training (I alternate each day between the two; either session only takes about 10 minutes), making sure the kitchen is clean, brushing Coda, planning the next day, flossing my teeth (not that this takes a long time, but I was neglecting it), and reading. I’m actually using a checklist as I train myself to do these things instead of being on the computer. For reading, I have been allowing myself to use my old e-ink Kindle. Like you, I typically meditate in the morning but may have to add it to my evening checklist as well.
Good to hear the 40 Days Fit program is treating you right! Let me know if you ever have any questions.
Vic,
I have a horrible habit of checking email on the iPad while in bed before I go to sleep. Digging on this post man. Just the reminder that I needed to go to my main man Frank Sinatra before bed as opposed to the inbox
There you go! Much better to have a little music playing to relax than checking the iPad just one more time.
Oh man, i suffer from this. I have no discipline and end up surfing the net on my iPhone when i should be sleeping. You’re right, it definitely has an effect on my sleeping habits, and I often wake up feeling irritated afterwards
Great find Vic and a scary one. I’ve become alarmed at my inability to switch off recently. I take my iPhone to bed as an alarm and it’s bad news. You’re so right – it’s an excuse to stay wired in. My sleep has suffered as a result.
I’m sharing this and doing something about it – multi-tasking is making us dumb. Oooh wait let me shut down that tab, and that one and that one….