About the Author
Exposure to animals and nature, as a way to combat the effects of modern day technology addiction, is an exciting and promising area of study.
Today’s developing child experiences technology in unprecedented ways. Flashing lights, sudden sounds that excite their brain pathways with jolting, high-frequency responses, television, kids’ toys, tablets marketed to kids, smartphones, video games…these are the sights and sounds that make up the surroundings of too many children today. A persistent buzz of information and virtual connectedness.
Studies are beginning to show that the internet and tech culture have already changed our neuro-functioning in terms of concentration, memory and thought processing. Excessive technology, internet and social media use are not currently recognized in the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM, 5th edition) as a mental health condition or addiction. However, there may be similarities to the trends of other symptoms of addiction, such as pleasurable brain responses that create cravings, interference with work and/or personal life, withdrawal symptoms upon unavailability, seeking comfort or numbness to the outside world.
Our relationships with machines have changed our relationships with each other. Our brains are now being conditioned to tolerate long periods of time behind a screen. We know this doesn’t help our physical health as we become increasingly inactive.
As a mother of two young boys, I know that tech/tv exposure (even within limits) tend to make my kids irritable or worked up, particularly when I turn the device off. It’s not that technology is all bad. These tools help us achieve remarkable things. Human innovation and skill in tech creation are amazing. Placing healthy, realistic limits on their use, however, is an increasingly difficult challenge.
How were we to know that the unprecedented growth of the digital age would catapult us from one end of the social neurobiological spectrum to another?
The good news is that there are ways to mitigate the effects of tech on our kids’ lives. Animals already play a major role in children’s lives either as pets, characters in books, stuffed animals and other images. Entire science courses can be taught outside, observing wildlife and signs of life. As the Children & Nature Network knows well, green-based education is important for the health of our children and for developing the next generation of nature stewards. And studies continue to show that the presence of animals lowers blood pressure, combats loneliness and social isolation, decreases anxiety and helps reduce symptoms of depression.
At the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, we study the interrelationship and health of people, animals and the environment. We train mental health and education professionals to elevate the human-animal-environmental connection and thereby support healthier communities. Our students, including mental health professions students and social work students, go on to share the benefits of human-animal interactions with their clients. The broad strokes of our methods are based on nature’s intrinsic support and healing qualities. Among many benefits, the inclusion of a certified therapy animal and handler in a therapeutic setting can help build rapport between people, model healthy relationships and social interaction, build a therapeutic alliance and create a safe space for introspection and healing.
According to the National Institutes of Health, effective treatment of addiction must be tailored to the individual, integrating a variety of evidence-based interventions to cease the addictive behavior and provide follow-up support in recovery to prevent relapse. Bringing animals and nature into the lives of people struggling with technology addiction makes sense in all phases of recovery.
Replacing the addictive behavior with pleasurable time in nature and with animals is a naturalistic, non-pharmaceutical method of intervention.Outdoors and in our relationships with other living beings — this is where we may find our authentic selves. Let’s promote a new, healthy addiction. This time, let’s allow ourselves and our children to indulge in nature and relationships with animals. I’ll see you outside.
No comments:
Post a Comment