Info Overload

I see and hear about the difficulties caused by the information explosion almost every day in my classes, with clients, and from my own life. I keep thinking we are just not equipped to handle the constant barrage of data and demands that goes on 24/7.

Dr. Andrew Weil (who I admire so much) has written a new book called "Spontaneous Happiness" about his own struggles with depression and the latest research on the topics of modern health. Excerpted in Newsweek in the Nov. 7-14th issue, he writes about the rate of depression in modern humans and points to some causes. These include our generally sedentary jobs, processed foods, and endless distraction - all so new that our thousands-year-old human systems of coping cannot keep up. He says "not only do we suffer from nature deficit, we are experiencing information surfeit".

Read the article or the book (I'm ordering it now) and see his Rx for better health and happiness:

5 Tips for Modern Life

1. Mindfulness training to develop your powers of concentration and attention
2. Sleep in complete darkness and try to get outdoors in bright light during the day.
3. Be social and reach out to others - make interaction a priority to safeguard your emotional well-being.
4. Avoid or neutralize disturbing sounds and choose to listen to those that have positive effects on your moods. Try to cultivate silence.
5. Avoid information overload by setting limits on time spent online, on the phone, texting, and emailing.