According to a study, turning off mobile internet revitalizes the brain for ten years.
Disconnecting from the internet and mobile devices is the secret to increased focus and a younger mind, according to a study that has finally revealed what science has been looking for for decades.
According to a University of British Columbia study, cutting back on mobile internet use may momentarily impair cognitive function. After just 14 days, when the brain is at least 10 years older, improvements become apparent.
The University of British Columbia analyzed the impact of mobile internet use on 400 young people and working-age adults. To do this, they created an app that blocks network access on devices for two weeks.
Most of the mobile phone functions of the volunteers participating in the study were blocked. The devices were unable to access social media, search engines, and applications, most of which require the internet. They were only able to make calls and send text messages.
The effect of spending two weeks without the internet surprised researchers. Improvements in the attention span of study participants were observed after just 15 days without using the internet; they were now able to focus on a single task more easily.
Attention levels decline as people age, although factors such as excessive internet use have been shown to accelerate this decline. Users are exposed to constant stimuli that impact their brain's capabilities.
- Brain health improves for up to 10 years
The link between internet use and brain health is clear. Experts say the most pronounced effects occur in people who lived a completely sedentary lifestyle before the study; their brain health is comparable to that of someone 10 years younger.
Participants were forced to interact face-to-face and go outdoors. Nature and socializing have become one of the best forms of cognitive stimulation, allowing the human brain to recover after hours of screen time.
Improvements are evident not only in cognitive health, but also in mood. Most volunteers say they've been able to sleep better and rest longer since stopping using the internet. Additionally, anxiety levels have decreased, although they may be slightly elevated during the first few days, with symptoms such as digital withdrawal, insomnia, and phantom notifications.