Holiday Presence: A Gift That Keeps on Giving

By Julia Grover OTR/L
Founder of In-Tuned®

Electronics are here to stay, so how do we navigate in a world with so many distractions for us and for our even more vulnerable children?

Cell phones, I-pads, laptop computers and video game consoles have made instant gratification and constant release of dopamine (the feel-good neurotransmitter in the brain) easy to achieve and addictive. Time spent using this gadgetry for entertainment, as a babysitter or perceived boredom, diminishes meaningful and productive engagement, as well as starves our brain from building more adaptive pathways.

Brain-Based Disorders (BBD’s) are not a new phenomenon. What is new, is the last few generations have had electronics in their lives at an earlier and earlier age. As a direct result, the human brain has changed how neural pathways are laid down and endogenous neurotransmitters are manufactured. We are now seeing the results of the impoverished experience electronics have on brain development and how it leaves the brain less capable of building and strengthening new neural pathways for processing of sensory input and development of sensory motor skills. We are, in fact, becoming less resilient human beings over time and thus we have more children than ever in the diagnostic labeling line. Any new technology introduced and used so widely will have an evolutionary impact on human development. So here we are.

To turn this around we need to start with ourselves and our relationship to the electronic world. We need to build our will power against rushing to respond to every ping of the cell phone, and the need to document every detail of our lives on Instagram. End your addiction to electronic distraction, and place firm limits on the amount of screen time available to your children. Do not use screen time as a reward. We need to be mindful about how we use this addictive brain candy and brain network altering electronic drug. With less time spent distracted we open ourselves and our children up to being in the present moment, engaging in real time. Our engagement in real time is really all that matters.

This holiday season spend time being present with those you love. Offer gifts that build neural networks not confuse them. Cross off items that make noise, have batteries or plug in from your shopping list. Replace them with gifts requiring productive action, such as handwork or construction projects, puzzles or games. You and your children will be rewarded for leaving the herd of electronic users by being truly present humans.

Have a blessed and peaceful holiday season in real time.

Julia