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“Have you ever found yourself rushing from one task to another, struggling to concentrate on a single thing for more than a few minutes? If so, you may have ‘popcorn brain.’ Coined by researcher David Levy, popcorn mind is a metaphor for the way our brains jump from one piece of information to another, just like popcorn kernels popping unpredictably in a pan. While this phenomenon was first reported in 2011 It is back in the news and gaining popularity on social media like never before, thanks to London-based clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Glazer’s viral TikTok video on the topic.
decreasing attention span
Over the past few years, excessive social media use, browsing and mindless scrolling on your phone – also known as doomscrolling – has had a profound impact on our attention span. The constant stream of updates, likes and comments on social media results in an addiction, offering instant gratification and fleeting dopamine release. Along with the shift from long-form content like YouTube videos and IGTV to bite-sized media like Reels and Shorts, attention spans are also rapidly decreasing.
For Nikita Chawla, a 32-year-old writer from Gurgaon, popcorn mind has started to influence her work: “As a creative person, I need peace, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the information overload. I myself Not being able to focus on one thing. I have to remind myself to get back on track.”
shining currency
Why buy matte cheese when you can have some fun? Singer Britney Spears adopted the glossy lip trend by wearing smokey eye makeup with lip gloss in several of her music videos, including Baby One More Time (1999). Today, many actors including Bhumi Pednekar are keeping the trend alive with their modern approach.
With endless pings and updates, social media platforms are designed to consume the user’s attention, leading to a cycle of constant distraction. – Mehjabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist
To limit screen time, especially before going to bed, turn off notifications on your devices to get proper sleep.
information overload. I feel like I can’t concentrate on one thing. I have to remind myself to get back on track.
Sejal Bhatt, a 27-year-old sales manager from Noida, finds herself struggling to focus on one thing. “My brain is like a browser tab – it can only process one thing at a time, and even then, it’s constantly refreshed. “I forget important information and lose conversations easily,” she tells us.
Chawla and Bhatt are not alone. According to a May 2023 study from the University of California, Irvine, “the average attention span on any screen before switching to something else has declined from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to 75 seconds in 2012 to 47 seconds now”. “This phenomenon has emerged since 2010,” says clinical psychologist Pulkit Sharma, “as videos and news articles became shorter and people started moving faster from one thing to another.”
Brainstorming videos, one bite-sized video at a time
If left unchecked, ‘popcorn brain’ has the potential to not only hinder our ability to concentrate, but also have a significant impact on our social, emotional and occupational well-being. From stressful social interactions and decreased emotional well-being to decreased productivity, the inability to focus deeply can permeate various aspects of our lives.
Psychiatrist Dr. Paramjit Singh says, “The tendency to jump from one subject to another can lead to fatigue and make you feel irritable, anxious or always stressed. In children, it can mimic the symptoms of ADHD.”
It also has a direct impact on the way your brain retains new information. Clinical psychologist Mehezbin Dordi explains, “This behavior can lead to a lack of depth of understanding, as individuals may only skim the surface of topics without delving deeper into any of them.”
Dealing with Popcorn Brain:
Practice mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness exercises can train your brain to better manage distractions and improve your ability to stay present in the moment. Psychologist Pulkit Sharma shares, “Any activity that causes you to focus on your breathing can help deal with popcorn brain.”
Limit screen time: Set specific times for checking your phone or using social media, and try to disconnect completely during other periods, especially before bed. Turn off notifications on your device, turn on DND mode, delete unnecessary apps or switch to dumb phone to reconnect with the real world and improve focus.
Adopt single-tasking: Although multitasking may seem efficient, it can lead to decreased productivity and poor quality of work. Focus on completing one task at a time and avoid switching between different things frequently.
Engage in activities that require focus: Challenge yourself with puzzles, brain games, and things that require sustained attention, like reading or playing an instrument.
Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can significantly impair cognitive function, including attention span. “Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night.”
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