Gotta love the internet—instant access to loads of info on anything you can think of, and some of it’s even accurate! So cool…
Unfortunately, it’s also way more data than our conscious minds are wired to handle, and we’re constantly running the risk of information overload.
This stems from the fact that we use the information around us to make sense of our reality, and even to shape our personalities. If we’re constantly shoving more complex data in, our animal brains start to feel attacked and we go into a stress state.
We can become exhausted, confused, agitated, or otherwise annoying to the people around us. The further we fall into information overload, the less we’re able to think clearly, because our frontal lobe actually loses blood flow.
This problem has increased exponentially in the last few years with the rise of alternative facts and social media echo chambers. These addictive-by-design platforms expose us to limitless rabbit holes.
But abundance of information is not a bad thing—it’s just a condition of our lives. How we respond to this condition is what matters.
The Real Reason for Information Overload
The real problem is not the amount of info available. It’s the amount we consume without taking the time to digest it.
If you go to a buffet (are those still a thing after COVID?), you’re in control of how much you put on your plate. Of course, if you’re like most people at a buffet, you grab too much.
But there are some obvious limiting factors—the size of the plate, the pain you eventually feel in your belly if you cram too much in it. There’s only so much chow you’re going to try to shovel in.
When it comes to information overload, we have an infinite buffet o’ bytes available 24-7—free and all you can eat! But the signs of being full aren’t as obvious to many people as having an oversized food baby blowing up their belly.
A few telltales from my own experience include fatigue, confusion, erratic emotions (agitation, anxiety), restlessness, scattered thoughts, difficulty focusing. Long-term, these effects can add up and take a toll, leading to chronic depression, anxiety, confusion, burnout, and worse.
How to Protect Your Mind from Information Overload
The obvious way to avoid information overload would be to just limit the amount of info you consume, right?
But that can be easier said than done. And it’s not a complete solution. Even if we individually limit our intake, we’re still living in an information-saturated world. Unless you run off to the hinterlands and unplug from society, you’re going to be impacted.
So yes definitely unplug when you can and give your mind a rest.
But another important antidote to over-consumption is proper digestion. This stops you from consuming in the moment, integrates what you’ve consumed in a healthy way, and clears out your mental intake bucket so there’s room to receive new stuff.
How to Digest the Info You Consume
So now I know you’re wondering, “Well David, how do I make sure I’m digesting my info like a good kid?” So glad you asked, and it’s super simple.
Check it out…
1. Reflect
After you read or watch or listen to something, take a few minutes to consider it and record your thoughts. Here are a few questions to get your gears turning. Feel free to use different prompts or none at all.
- What stood out to you?
- How did you feel about it?
- What memories did it stir?
- What’s useful about it (or not), for yourself or others?
- What new ideas does it give you?
Pro tip: you can write without “writing.” If it’s faster or more convenient in the moment, use an audio recorder, transcriber app, or take a video (any smart phone will do). But I do suggest transferring your thoughts to a visual format to refine them as soon as you can. Because the next step is sharing.
2. Share
Whether you post on social media, a blog, a content site like Medium, or to an email list, let others see your ideas and benefit from your insights. Knowing other people will consume your info will likely motivate you to take a little more time to refine your reflections, which will aid your digestion.
Yes, I realize what I’m suggesting here adds to the infinite info buffet and the problems it creates. But the smorgasbord is going to grow with or without you, so if you have something tasty (and tasteful) to add, you might as well contribute. You never know who’s life you’ll touch.
3. Organize
Create a place to collect your thoughts (both the raw and edited ones) so you can refer back to past insights. Sometimes the life you touch is your own in the future, when you may have forgotten about that amazing light bulb moment you once had.
Your repository could be a folder on your computer, a dedicated journal if you prefer handwriting, or whatever works for you (I have both handwritten journals and digital files). Ideally it should have some kind of list of contents for quick scanning.
Writing as a Growth Practice
In addition to helping alleviate the symptoms of consuming too much information, this is a great personal growth practice. You evolve from consumer to creator, refining your inner world and sharing it with the outer.
Knowing how you feel and what you believe about important topics is essential for living consciously and finding fulfillment.
Many spiritual traditions—Buddhism for example—include “right” or “skilled” speech as part of their path. Your speech stems from your thoughts, so taking the time to sort and clarify your thoughts in writing can help you develop more skillful speech and a more balanced life.
Start small and give it a try. Pick at least one thing you read or watch in the next couple of days, and after you consume it, go through this process. See how it feels, and if you like it, start to make it a habit. (You could even do it with this article.)
Feel free to send me what you write and let me know how it went. Bon Appétit!
