Multi-tasking can cause brain damage! Yup, facts are that multi-tasking goes against how our brains naturally function.

According to Dr. Caroline Leaf, who likens multi-tasking to placing our brains into a blender, ultimately creating neuro patterns similar to A.D.D. or A.D.H.D.

She goes onto say that multi-media can be considered a big form of multi-tasking , in that brain patterns that result from “passive mindlessness; Facebook, Twitter and other multi-media “skimming” or “quick-bites” not only hard-wires us for decreased attention span, but could negatively influence our self-esteem, and self-control resulting in increased weight, spending habits and debt and health.

Passive mindlessness that bombards our minds; like many popular multi-media apps have also been proven to be an addiction similar to…drugs, alcohol or chemical dependency.

Ever felt bombarded after watching TV shows that quickly flash images, switch patterns of light, and demanding pitch of elevated sound bites. If you feel the strain, it would be considered normal, because this type of “multi-tasking” is creating havoc within our minds.

Why? Because skimming, knowing only a little bit like Twitter; less than 140 letters; or skimming Facebook images and text are not normal for the human brain. A healthy brain pattern is created and restored through deep thinking. A healthy brain is created when we switch our minds from external to internal focus and engage in deep thinking. In short, learn something well.

This switch from external to internal focus is like a re-boot for our brains. When we focus inward, we engage a higher intellect, we become smarter, more solution focused and we activate our D.M.N.; "DEFAULT MODE NETWORK". D.M.N. becomes active during meditative states where we focus our attention, recall memories in detail or while performing a mental task. When D.M.N. is active our intelligence is increased, we become wiser, and are better able to integrate our thoughts. We feel more peaceful. Experience improved immunity and great cardiovascular health.

Leaf identifies several forms of internal focus or “directed rest”, meditation, daydreaming, sleep, positive introspection and even anesthesia! Deep rest is a sub-conscious or non-conscious mind process that promotes thought building. Positive introspective thoughts engages the default mode network (D.M.N.) which is then balanced by our “TASK POSITIVE NETWORK” T.P.N. which completes the cycle of creating and breaking down of thoughts. The results are that decisions are made and ultimately action is taken.

When our inner networks chatter; it builds and supports our internal sense of peace and happiness.

I love the term “directed rest” as it indicates we are in control and have a choice.

On the other hand, multi-tasking can be a building block of toxic thinking, un-managed thinking and negativity. It’s easier to be negative when we are over overtaxed.

How would we recognize this? Feelings of confusion or lack of clarity may be noticed, finding the negative, being negative, or the inability to make a decision or make the right decision.  When this is happening, our T.P.N. (Task Positive Network) activity decreases, and then our chemicals and hormones are unbalanced and this is detrimental to our health.

Other signs of too much multi-tasking are moodiness, anxiety and feeling depressed.

So what’s the solution? Listen to our bodies and recognize that we are receiving signs and symptoms that we need a reboot.

Recognize that when we continually find ourselves multi-tasking, then directed rest is often absent. This result in a self-imposed mismanagement of our natural brain networking system comes with many negative side effects, low self-esteem, impaired memory, feelings of not being able to cope and a general lack of focus.

The simple yet under-utilized solution is our built in Brain re-boot mechanism: Positive Direct Rest restores inner and outer balance, which brings us closer to “soul Harmony”. When in Soul Harmony we think, chose, decide, settle all our inner questioning and take positive action to further our lives.

I would love to speak with you in person, so if you deep a deep think re-boot, let's really talk.