CAPTURED by poor quality consumption.

How do you feel? How do you really feel? Does fear strike into your mind? Or do you feel overwhelmed with anxiety?

I believe that this may be due to the media or content we consume daily.

I have noticed with my own experiences that when I have been watching the news or listening to music or when I am on social media- I come away feeling deflated. I know that this is a very common feeling during this testing time. I just wanted to let you know that you are NOT alone!

You are not alone!

Recently, my mum and I went to an appointment where we spoke to a physiologist, and she was speaking to us about how our brains are plastic! Not literally :/ What she was really referring to be the Brain's "Neuroplasticity" which is translates into how the brain is able to adapt and change (Cherry, 2019). In the past I wrongly thought that your brain stopped developing at the age of twenty-five! Luckily, I was wrong. "Modern research has demonstrated that the brain continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing ones in order to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and create new memories." (Cherry, 2019).

So, what does this have to do with consumption? Notice how traumatic events, stress, social interaction, emotions and paying attention are listed as a catalyst for neuroplasticity. We are going through all these symptoms right now during our season with COVID-19! No one knows what will come of this historic event, we are socially isolated from our peers, our stress and emotions are at an all-time high because we are paying attention and are inundated with pessimistic information from the media. It is so easy to affect our brains negatively from everything that is going on. Our minds do not understand how to differentiate between the good and bad (CE/CMEs et al., 2020).

Our minds do not understand how to differentiate between the good and bad.

There are layers upon layers that can be spoken about here, but what I want to hone in on is this simple fact: Where your focus goes, your energy flows. Consequently, when we watch sensationalised news or constantly fill our minds with bad content we are changing and adapting the wiring of our minds negatively.

Focus on the good things in life, practice mindfulness, practice gratefulness, and connect with people! Acknowledge it, do not dwell on it! While it is important to stay updated with restrictions and prevention- I suggest following a health care professional or government updates for factual excerpts, this will help to filter and take control on what you consume.

Laurissa Xx

References

CE/CMEs, E., Crysy, U., Rona Schenkerman, U., Alistair Gordon, C., Cheryl St. Clair, U., Abel Mejía, M., Paulien Sutherland, A., Cal Nield, G., Daphna Klugman, U., Susan Anderson, C., Uli Martin, F., Garrett Weskamp, U., Carol Vaughan, A., holder, d., Wang, A., Mandy Parrett, G., Wang, A., Carter, R., Maya, A., Keith Engelhardt, U., Bazan, B., McFarland, R., Menke, L., friedman, r., Sever, M., Kramer, B., Hayes, B., Burleson, J., Wise, J. and Alexandra Froese, R., 2020. How Does Neuroplasticity Work? [Infographic] - NICABM. [online] NICABM. Available at: <https://www.nicabm.com/brain-how-does-neuroplasticity-work/> [Accessed 23 April 2020].

Cherry, K., 2019. How Our Brain Neurons Can Change Over Time From Life's Experience. [online] Verywell Mind. Available at: <https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886> [Accessed 23 April 2020].