Posted by Molly Nelson - You're probably reading this on the screen of some digital device, but when you're finished you may want to (gasp!) leave all of the screens in your life alone for a few minutes.
According to an article in the New York Times,
scientists are concerned that the constant checking of computers and smartphones is harmful to the brain. While downtime allows the brain to go over past experiences and solidify them into permanent long-term memories, constant stimulation of the brain prevents this learning process, according to scientists.
The article describes a study that "found that people learned significantly better after a walk in nature than after a walk in a dense urban environment, suggesting that processing a barrage of information leaves people fatigued."
So, go enjoy a few moments in the waning days of summer, and ignore the beeping and pinging of the devices clamoring for your attention.
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Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime]