This may come as a surprise to folks who love social media, apps and video games, but your brain doesn't perceive device time as downtime.
"I think on a neurological level, our brain can't distinguish between scrolling on the phone and doing something for our job. So, we think that we're taking a break while we're scrolling through the phone, but it's taking a lot of attention and processing power," Jon Weingarden, Psy.D., senior program director at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Psychiatric Hospital, told TODAY.
"Even if we feel like we're recuperating, it may not be giving us that benefit," said Weingarden. But in an increasingly digital world, what's the solution? You have to intentionally find hobbies that don't have a digital component. Like what?
Well, knitting and hiking top the lists of easy, accessible hobbies. But if you're not outdoorsy or crafty, almost any self-guided or in-person fitness activity will do. There's no need to overthink it. May we suggest walking or dancing?
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