Age of information overload
Modern technology has made it easier to access information by watching Youtube video tutorials, reading emails, taking online courses, downloading e-books, watching Ticktock videos, and other numerous information-sharing platforms.
The Digital space has given an opportunity for content sharing thus inducing the majority of the population to Information overload while being online.
What is Information overload?
Information overload is a state of being overwhelmed by the amount of data presented on one’s attention making it hard to process.
Internet consumption has been observed to be on the rise in many Nations.
But how much information consumption is important to us?
Do we really need large amounts of information in our lives?
In the current information era, our brains continue to suffer patterns of processing, analyzing, and eventually applying the information we have internalized.
Information is a very important component in our current world, it is used in different sectors such as business, education, science, and the technology sector as algorithms.
Our mental and emotional well-being has deteriorated since we crave mental and emotional stimulation from information accessibility.
Large portions of information make us vulnerable to mental instability.
Not all information we acquire is supposed to be internalized, we need to distinguish what information is favorable and practical to us.
Effects of Information Overload
A. Fuels Anxiety
To whom much is given, much will be required. Information can be a fuel to anxiety, stress, and even depression.
Few people who understand the reality of this world are prone to be anxious stressed, and depressed.
Even though Ignorance is bliss, too much information without processing it becomes disastrous to the mind.
People have suffered from anxiety episodes due to continuous scrolling on Youtube videos.
Reading Emails at the first thing in the morning has been observed to affect someone's mood and therefore make one less productive.
There is always a continuous war between the mind and the heart, the mind always tries to defend what it recognizes.
B. Affects Decision making
Our decision-making process depends on what we know, believe, and understand.
When we have vast information in our minds affects our ability to make decisions effectively.
Decision-making is a very crucial aspect of an individual life, large portions of the information may slow our decision-making process.
C. Rumination
Rumination is the process of thought patterns reoccurring in the mind.
Information overload makes people live in their heads and not live the reality of life
Rumination makes it hard for people mentally and emotionally.
The majority of the population are stuck in their heads with just information but have missed the part of information application.
The antidote to information overload
Establish healthy boundaries
The establishment of healthy boundaries is very important in dealing with information overload.
Establish and strategize habits that will assist you to curb information overload.
Be it having a routine of not using phones during bedtime, lunch, dinners, or while you are out with your friends.
The establishment of these healthy boundaries, would reduce the anxiety of accessing and processing information all the time.
During morning hours productivity of a person is high, but when started with continuous reading of emails tends to affect someone's day performance.
Escape the norm of multitasking
Multitasking is a celebrated norm in our today’s life, but is multitasking a practical thing to partake in?
Multitasking hinders someone's concentration and focus.
It’s better if one focuses on one task rather focusing on numerous tasks
Today we see it a person reading while eating, another watching TV while cooking
Multitasking affects how the brain process and analyzes information.
Filter Information
Not every piece of information is to be internalized we need to filter what is important in our lives.
The Digital era has made information accessible but that is not a leeway for us to absorb everything
Through filtering Information, we will be able to overcome information overload and remain with what is important
In conclusion
*Information overload is a big issue for individuals, especially in the information era
*Digital distraction is one channel of information overload
*Information overload fuels anxiety, uncertainty, stress, and depression, therefore affecting our Mental well being
*Through the introduction of setting healthy boundaries, escaping the norm of multitasking, and filtering information can help overcome information overload
