SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – As 2024 was coming to a close, Oxford announced its word of the year. While it may seem frivolous, everyone should work to counteract it, especially those who find themselves mindlessly doom-scrolling or feeling inadequate based on what others post.
According to Oxford University Press, in a public vote, more than 37,000 people "had their say," leading to "brain rot" being chosen as the 2024 Oxford Word of the Year. Although it is not a new term or even a medical diagnosis, it solidified its place because of the overwhelming frequency of use.
The term brain rot describes "the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging."
The first recorded use of the term is attributed to Henry David Thoreau's book Walden, written in 1854. The book chronicled two and a half years spent alone in the woods, living off the land and working collaboratively with nature. In it, Thoreau concluded that society's tendency to devalue complex ideas, or those that can be interpreted in multiple ways, favoring concepts and ideas that are less complex, indicated a general decline in mental and intellectual effort.
Brain rot is more of a colloquial explanation for cognitive decline or mental fatigue. According to Physician's Weekly, recent studies have linked excessive online content consumption to cognitive and mental health issues.
One study published in BMC Health by Jason Nagata, MD, and colleagues examined the relationship between screen time and child behavioral problems in 9,538 adolescents. The study found that higher screen time was associated with all mental health symptoms. The strongest associations observed were for depressive, conduct, somatic, and ADHD symptoms. Video chat, texting, videos, and video games had the greatest associations with depressive symptoms.
Consumption of online material is not different from other forms of consumerism and requires mindfulness to ensure that you are constantly creating connections between neurons. This is why brain scientists express the importance of combatting the detrimental effects of brain rot as a side effect of what our brains consume. Psychology Today has five recommendations to prevent brain rot.
Schedule screen-free time - designate specific times throughout the day to unplug from technology and engage in offline activities. Set time boundaries - limit the time spent on devices and reduce unnecessary doomscrolling. Use apps that restrict screen time or adjust device settings to help you manage this. Unplug before bedtime - avoid screens at least one hour before sleep to improve the quality and quantity of your rest. Create tech-free zones - set aside certain areas in your home or workspace where technology is not allowed to encourage mindful exchanges and healthier habits. Digital detox - Unplug from the internet and devices for a few hours daily. Gradually extend this time to a full day, a long weekend, or a week, or designate a time frame for your detox. Use the time during detox to pursue hobbies, go outside, read a book, or interact with friends and family in person.
Source:
www.newsnationnow.com
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