In a world of constant notifications and endless scrolling, we’ve lost touch with one of our most powerful human abilities: intuition. The mental stillness that once sparked creativity and emotional clarity has been drowned out by digital noise, while the overuse of devices and their algorithms has created a mental monoculture.
The toll of digital overconsumption
Digital overconsumption is having deep impacts on the way people learn, work, and play, says BC-based naturopathic doctor Alex Chan.
“In my practice, I see patients who are glued to their phones. Blue light exposure [can] interrupt circadian rhythms and decrease production of melatonin, while social notifications can alter reward loops that affect dopamine levels,” Chan says. “This can leave people feeling lethargic, apathetic, and unfulfilled.”
Ancaster, Ontario–based registered psychologist Lesley Hannell has seen an increase in depression, anxiety, and stress among her patients. The digital deluge has increased the pace of life, where we begin to expect more of ourselves, she says.
As an example, we often feel the expectation to respond to messages instantaneously and the pressure to be there when a message first arrives. This leaves little room for slipping away to commune with nature.
Others have flagged the rising mental monoculture and its impact on consumerism, culture, and the environment. When users cater to the algorithm, they are left to more of the same and less original thought.
Reconnecting with instincts in a world of digital noise
Disconnecting from technology allows room for physical awareness and draws our attention inward, says Chan.
For instance, she says, when you’re on your device while eating, it detracts from the experience of the food itself. Without an outside stimulus, you can focus on the act of eating, becoming highly aware of the whole experience, including how the food tastes, smells, and may be affecting your body.
Being constantly plugged in can also keep us from sensing possible danger in our physical environment, says Hannell.
“If we are consumed with external information, it prevents us from tapping into gut instinct or more internal awareness,” agrees Chan.
Tech neck: how screen time is straining your body
From laptops to smartphones, screens have become a constant companion in modern life. But the hours we spend hunched over our devices are contributing to a common complaint known as “tech neck.”
Characterized by neck stiffness, headaches, and shoulder pain, the condition is largely the result of prolonged forward head posture while looking down at screens.
When the head tilts forward, the strain on the neck increases dramatically. Research suggests that even a modest downward tilt can place several times the normal load on the cervical spine. Over time, this posture can irritate muscles, compress joints, and lead to chronic tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Many people also experience tension headaches or eye strain, especially after long stretches of computer work.
Fortunately, a few small changes can make a big difference.
Adjust your screen position: Ideally, the top of your computer screen should be at or slightly below eye level so you’re looking straight ahead rather than downward. If you work on a laptop, consider using a stand or stack of books to raise the screen and pair it with an external keyboard.
Check your posture: Sit with your shoulders relaxed and your ears aligned over your shoulders—not drifting forward. Your feet should rest flat on the floor, with knees roughly level with your hips.
Use ergonomic micro-adjustments: Instead of staying frozen in one position, shift your posture frequently. Adjust your chair angle, change the angle of your screen, or sit slightly farther back for a few minutes. These small movements help prevent muscle fatigue and reduce tension buildup.
Protect your eyes: Eye strain can contribute to neck tension because people tend to lean forward when they struggle to see clearly. Follow the “20-20-20 rule”: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to relax the eye muscles.
Stretch it out: Simple stretches throughout the day can help counteract screen-time strain.
- Chin tuck Sit tall and gently draw your chin straight back, as if making a double chin. Hold for five seconds and repeat five times to strengthen deep neck muscles.
- Shoulder rolls Lift your shoulders toward your ears, then roll them back and down. Repeat 10 times to release upper-back tension.
- Neck side stretch Tilt your left ear toward your left shoulder until you feel a gentle stretch along the opposite side of your neck. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.
The practice of digital rewilding
Digital rewilding can be defined as the intentional act of reintroducing boredom, curiosity, slow thinking, wandering thought, and deep awareness.
Chan recommends auditing your technology use prior to embarking on digital rewilding by taking inventory of the ways your technology use seems productive and helpful and how it appears to be mindless or harmful. Routinely recommending device-free time, especially around bedtime and morning routines, Chan says, “allows your body and mind a chance to self-regulate away from this stimulus.”
Ironically, you can tap into technology for help in this area: Instagram, for instance, has a daily limit reminder. TikTok has a similar setting, where you can calibrate screen time breaks, sleep reminders, and weekly screen time updates.
“Energy is all around you—you just need to plug into it,” says Hannell. She suggests building activities into your daily life that bring you to a place of connectedness:
- setting an hourly alarm as a reminder to stop and take three deep breaths
- performing a short meditation
- taking a walk
- listening to the birds sing on your balcony
Boredom as a catalyst for creativity
Depending on your personality type, boredom could trigger creativity. Researchers have also considered the concept of boredom as a state that contributes to personal growth and meaningfulness.
Chan suggests connecting with your senses through nature bathing, hot and cold exposure, and scheduling unstructured creative and play time. “Establishing rituals and habits takes effort, so start slowly and aim for consistency, not perfection,” she says.
You may also want to step outside your daily life to digitally rewild. Chan facilitates time for disconnection from technology and reconnection with our inner knowledge through various intimate group experiences like the Ritual & Science Retreat.
Hannell offers a one-day experiential workshop called Healing Time with Horses. Participants start the workshop by leaving their phones in their cars. She incorporates Buddhist teachings; guided journeys; energy psychology; and time with horses, goats, ducks, and chickens. Connecting with animals is very powerful, says Hannell. They live in the present moment, just as the participants aim to.
“I wanted to give people an experience that felt so good they would want to do it again,” says Hannell. “The more time you spend in that deep, peaceful, connected, rewilded self, the more you will want to stay there.”
Supplements for cognitive power
Omega-3s
A 2023 study found that increased levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can be found in fatty fish, vegetables, walnuts, and flaxseeds, are associated with better memory, processing speed, and structural brain measures.
Polyphenols
Found in plant-based foods, such as pomegranates and other fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and coffee, polyphenols may help enhance mood, reduce anxiety, and improve cognitive function.
Vitamin B1
Like a healthy diet and physical activity, adequate intake of vitamin B1 may help ward off a decline in cognitive performance.
Magnesium
Eating foods packed with magnesium, such as leafy green vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and whole grains, is associated with improved brain health as we age—especially in women.
Turmeric
Studies have shown that supplementation of curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, caused a statistically significant improvement in cognitive performance.
Ginkgo biloba
Research shows promise for ginkgo biloba extract in helping to play a neuroprotective role in the prevention of memory loss in several neurodegenerative diseases.
This article was originally published in the July 2026 issue of alive magazine.
