The Squirrel Effect: How Digital Media Affects Our Lives
Do you ever find yourself getting sidetracked, unable to focus on a single task for more than a few minutes? You’re not alone. According to Dr. Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, this is a common phenomenon that affects many of us. In her book, ‘Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity,’ Mark explains how decades of research have tracked the decline of our ability to focus.
Source: media.cnn.com
In 2004, Mark and her team measured the average attention span on a screen to be 2½ minutes. However, over the years, this number has decreased dramatically. By some years later, attention spans were reduced to about 75 seconds. Today, we find that people can only pay attention to one screen for an average of 47 seconds.
Source: media.cnn.com
But the problem goes beyond just screens. When attention is diverted from an active work project, it takes an average of 25 minutes to refocus on that task. This is because, when we are interrupted, we tend to switch to another task, and then another, and another. ‘If we look at work in terms of switching projects, as opposed to the micro view of switching screens, we find people spend about 10½ minutes in any work project before being interrupted,’ Mark explains.
Unfortunately, this constant switching can have serious consequences. ‘When you switch your attention fast, it’s correlated with stress,’ Mark warns. And it’s not just stress that’s the problem. Multitasking, as we call it, is actually a myth. ‘Unless one of the tasks is automatic, like chewing gum or walking, you cannot do two effortful things at the same time,’ Mark says.
So, what’s to blame for this decline in focus? According to Mark, email is one of the main culprits. ‘Email is probably the worst because it’s become a symbol of work,’ she says. And it’s not just email that’s the problem. Social media, tablets, and television all contribute to our decreasing attention span.
But there’s hope. By being mindful of how we use technology, we can learn to live with it in a way that maintains our positive well-being. Mark suggests scheduling rote work for the first part of the day, using technology to block distractions when we’re at our mental best, and taking regular breaks to replenish our minds.
So, the next time you find yourself getting sidetracked, remember the squirrel effect. Take a deep breath, put down your phone, and focus on the task at hand. Your attention span – and your sanity – will thank you.
**The Switch Cost: The Time It Takes to Reorient Back to Our Work**
When we’re interrupted, it takes an additional effort to reorient back to our work. This ‘switch cost’ can lead to errors and stress. ‘It’s like trying to get back on a bike after a long time,’ Mark explains. ‘You have to get used to the feeling of the seat, the handlebars, and the pedals again.’
**The Importance of Taking Breaks**
It’s essential to learn when to take a break. If you find yourself reading something more than once or if the words are just not registering, it’s time to stop and replenish. Mark suggests taking a walk in nature or doing something engaging that takes no mental effort. ‘My friend, an MIT professor, loves matching socks,’ she says. ‘It’s a great way to relax and clear your mind.’
**The Power of Divergent Thinking**
When we take breaks, we allow our minds to wander and think freely. This is known as divergent thinking. ‘A 20-minute walk in nature can help significantly relax people,’ Mark says. ‘And we found it can help people produce significantly more ideas.’
**Conclusion**
Our declining attention span is a serious issue that affects many of us. But by being mindful of how we use technology, we can learn to live with it in a way that maintains our positive well-being. So, the next time you find yourself getting sidetracked, remember the squirrel effect. Take a deep breath, put down your phone, and focus on the task at hand. Your attention span – and your sanity – will thank you.
