This post was inspired by a bumper sticker which read "Screen Junkies". Screen addiction is both a new phrase and a real problem. I often wonder why this addiction is not talked about. We all see it, hand to the face, palm up, neck bent, walking down the street. People staring at screens, during a concert, at a sporting event, under the covers, in the car and at meals etc . . . It is pervasive, not subtle and in my opinion screen addiction is real.
In Japan children now attend internet fasting camps for screen addiction. I find it reassuring that a society is willing to address the ugly side of technology. In general we tend to only look at the bright side of technology. We are now waking up to the shadow side of being so wired. I believe we can have a balanced relationship with technology and not let ourselves be exploited by our devices.
Research indicates screen time and screen addiction negatively effects gray matter in the brain. To learn more about this topic I highly recommend the blog of Victoria Dunckley. Folks what is happening to the brain is not subtle. Screen addiction and excessive screen time is detrimental. Basically it causes the gray matter to shrink. This impacts the brain's development, neurotransmitters, and ability to communicate internally.
What concerns me is how screen addiction impairs psychological and emotional development. This can lead to less internal resilience, more anxiety, less impulse control and diminished empathy. Most damage occurs in the frontal lobe. This area of the brain experiences large growth between puberty and the mid 20's and is a crucial time for personal growth. A time when our identity and values are being formed. There are deep implications to screen addiction that are not casual and deserve attention.
While the damage to gray matte sounds unsavory, it can be reversed. In the next post I will discus ways to increase gray matter and build psychological and emotional resilience.
Screen addiction and excessive screen time overload the psyche. Large amounts of imagery and information are difficult to process. Most of us are unable to process the death, war and violence that fill video games and nightly news accounts. The in-digestibility of this content causes us to suffer from 'psychic indigestion'. How many times have you tried to get images or a unsavory news story out of your mind?
This was a motivating factors behind the creation of the Detox formula. I wanted to offer something to create psychic space between you and content, something to help the psyche release foreign material.
Asperge Sauvage (wild aspargus), Bidens, Chaparral, Pacific Woodrush, Silverweed Cinquefoil and Ti Plant
Collectively these flower essences negate the effects of excessive screen time and screen addiction. The Detox Formula cleanses the psyche of unwanted energy, thoughts and images. It also cleanses the energy field of negativity and protects it from outside negative influences. This formula combats screen addiction by supporting greater mental clarity. Last but not least it helps us return to our core and to the place of greater personal freedom.
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This essence works to help shift imprints on chakra 1 and 3. Chakra 1 contains some of our earliest imprints around basic foundational aspects of how we approach life. And, chakra 3 contains imprints around what we perceive we can do. The shifts we make in regards to these two chakras can lead to big changes.
This is one of the most loved formulas that I offer. It helped me after the storm. Being uprooted and nearly losing your life is very disorienting. The synergy created by these vibrational essences creates a rich field of energetic support and protection to face difficulty.
As a flower essence therapist I turned to flower essences to help me cope with the trauma of upheaval. Even 5 months on I am still uncovering aspects of trauma related to the disaster. Below are 3 essences from the Opening and Awareness kit which help me work with and through the trauma in my body.