Distractions

A bit more about distractions. We are actually designed to have a balance between focus and distraction. When under threat, we focus, either mentally or physiologically on the task at hand. We notice things that go bump in the night. That is not distraction, that is a form of vigilance. It’s about survival. Moreover, when we are not under immediate threat, we notice disturbances in the status quo. If you are used to the hum of your car and it suddenly makes strange noises, it garners attention. If the sound of your children playing happily in the next room takes on a certain tone – you intervene.

If we are fearful of social isolation, FOMO, being held captive by social media may be hyper-vigilance instead of distractions. If your brain chases every “squirrel” that passes by, that can be pretty tiring and sometimes unproductive.

However, some things encroach upon our attention when we are not suitably engaged with life at hand. If we have become so habituated to the environment that we don’t see it any more (driving the same route every day), our brains can become a bit under stimulated.  If we have a task that does not require all our attention, we “multi-task.” Maybe it’s listening to a podcast while making dinner. Distractions are distractions precisely because they offer us something we want or maybe need. If we are bored or hyper-habituated to a situation, they offer novelty, which wakes up the brain.

When are distractions helpful and when not? Or maybe a better question is, “which distractions are helpful and which are not?” Seriously, did you ever really miss out on something because you didn’t check social media? Is it critical to catch every evening newscast (or news blog)? I cannot answer that question for you. But I definitely have to consider it for myself.