Check It Out: Why do you feel overwhelmed and anxious?
By Joan Janzen
Do you know why mummies don’t go on summer vacation? They’re afraid to relax and unwind. It’s a silly joke; however, a doctor noted it might be the reason why so many people are struggling with anxiety and feel the need to constantly be stimulated by phones, screens and entertainment.
I was reminded of an example of this when I went on a vacation to Europe seven years ago. This was a rare occasion for me, so I spent every minute digesting my surroundings, but there were people who were completely oblivious to their environment.
After landing in Venice, we caught a water transport bus to our destination. Seated in front of us was a girl about 12 years of age, accompanied by an elderly couple whom I assumed were her grandparents. During the hour-long ride, she never spoke to the couple, never looked out the window and was constantly glued to her phone or taking selfies.
The following day, we were watching tourists in gondolas venturing out on sightseeing tours. It didn’t take long to spot the same young girl and her grandparents as they floated by. Once again, her complete attention was captivated by her phone.
On a recent podcast, Dr. Suneel Dhand addressed this topic. He asked if his listeners felt exhausted but couldn’t relax. “You check your phone, scroll, watch videos, listen to the news and somehow end up feeling more restless. Does that sound familiar?” Dr. Dhand asked. “The truth is your brain was never designed for living in this modern world.”
Our modern culture has created a situation where every second must be filled with stimulation: checking phones while waiting in line, listening to something while driving and wearing earbuds while walking.
He said the human brain needs moments of quiet to process, reflect, recover and reset. “Without those moments, there is so much mental clutter which is always building up. The stress accumulates, eventually causing you to feel restless,” he explained.
When problems arise in daily life, they will be added to all that mental clutter, and the person becomes overwhelmed and anxious. Those situations could be relational problems, health problems or situations at work.
“It’s not because there’s something wrong with you; it’s because your brain never got a chance to breathe,” he said. “When was the last time you were alone with your thoughts?”
He said for many people it may have been weeks or months since they were without distractions. No phone, no screen, no music, no TV. Just alone with their thoughts.
Someone listening to the podcast commented, “I can’t even sit and watch a TV show without picking up a handheld game at the same time.” This has become very common, as people struggle to focus, to read, relax or simply sit and imagine.
“Your smartphone is hijacking your nervous system. This is a really big problem,” Dr. Dhand said. Your phone is a news station, entertainment centre, shopping mall and social club. It competes for your attention every minute of the day. You’re in a constant state of alertness and, over time, relaxing becomes unfamiliar because you’re not used to it.
Dr. Dhand said millions of people feel anxious and overwhelmed. “But you don’t need a miracle cure. You simply need to return to some timeless human habits,” he advised. “Your peace isn’t found in more stimulation; it’s found in less stimulation. Take a walk without headphones, sit outside with a cup of coffee, drive your car without listening to anything. You’ll notice your mind feels more peaceful.”
Another person made this observation: “The modern argument is that interacting with people makes certain people anxious. I disagree. I used to be very shy as a kid. Interacting with people helped me to conquer that over time. No wonder kids are experiencing negative mental health, given the constantly switched-on society we live in.”
Dr. Dhand stressed the importance of spending time outdoors. “Nature is not optional; it is medicine. Being outdoors helps the nervous system, reduces stress hormones and restores mental clarity,” he advised. Yet millions of people spend most of their time indoors, in the house, office and stores, experiencing artificial light and environments.
But remember the young girl who was outdoors floating along with her grandparents? Dr. Dhand offered this helpful tip: Create a phone-free period each day. The world will survive, and you might discover something new. And when everyday challenges come your way, you will be more likely to handle them without becoming overwhelmed and anxious.
So this summer, don’t be like a mummy: afraid to unwind and relax. Take time to enjoy it.