My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open: Untangle Your Relationship with Tech - Revised and Updated

Product Information

So how do we conserve the energy of our brain? Become more efficient and stay focused on the task at hand? Here are some tips: Digital wellbeing is a subject that spans all generations and it’s one of the subjects I get asked to speak the most about in my work in workplaces and schools. The issues in the book therefore span the whole age spectrum; from technoference and sharenting which are issues for families and parents; to catfishing and phadultery for those dating or in relationships; to digital death for those dealing with the loss of a family member of loved one. Also. Also. You might be rolling your eyes at this book now, thinking of all those preachy relatives or online coaches who repeat the same mantra of ‘phones are bad for you, delete all social media, in MY day-‘ whenever you dare to even think of any problems you might be having in regards to tech. Digital detox expert Tanya Goodin presents a compendium of confessions, dilemmas and solutions that helps you untangle your relationship with your phone and technology for a better, happier you. Digital technology is more ingrained in our daily lives than ever before, and so we need to be more aware of its risks.

How many other devices are to hand? – PC with multiple screens, smart phone – personal and work issue? If you use the internet even semi-regularly, read this book. If you love someone who uses the internet semi-regularly, read this book. If you don’t even use all the internet all that much, read this book. I’m 99% certain you won’t regret it. Goodin offers a highly readable overview of the primary problems common technology and tech services such as social media pose the average person, from anxiety about making calls, to ignoring your partner or children in favour of mindless scrolling, and an inability to disconnect.

ON DOOMSCROLLING

Take Bieber’s advice “ Oh, baby, you should go and love yourself” and send some self-love and kindness in your direction. One thing that really impressed me in this book was the diversity of topics it touches on, including: fake news, sharenting, vampire shoppers, and my favorite chapter: digital legacies, among many others. My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open‘ is Goodin’s third book having previously published two others ‘ Off‘ and ‘ Stop Staring at Screens‘ which also covered the topic of digital detox and tech addiction. She is also the host of the ‘ It’s Complicated’ podcast, an award-winning digital entrepreneur and founder of this movement, Time To Log Off. She was inspired to begin her work in this sphere after a 20+ year career working exclusively in the digital world and experiencing its negative effects before the rest of us did so she truly is an expert in the field. Where can I find it? I’m particularly delighted to be published in Asia as digital wellbeing is a global issue and several pieces of research have shown that Asian populations are potentially suffering even more than the West from the effects of tech over-use and the impact on work, relationships and mental health.

It isn't just about feeling like we're getting things done. Keeping various tabs open also works as a protection against boredom, according to Metro. Having dozens of tabs open allows us to pretend we’re always doing something, or at least that we always have something available to do. Technoference (when we allow technology to distract and interrupt you when something or someone needs your attention) The toxic trolling culture on social media is another hot topic whenever I give a public, workplace or school talk. Audiences of all ages are very much aware of the pitfalls of being on social media, particularly for women, and many of them have started to develop some practical solutions to help them deal with it. In the book, I share the story of a young woman who had been targeted by trolls, and how I helped her. ON DOOMSCROLLING Complete with diagnostic guides to tell-tale signs and a manifesto for improved digital citizenship, this habit-improving bible offers the conversation-starting vocabulary we so desperately need to understand and untangle our relationship with technology for a more humane world. If you want to change your relationship with tech, this book is a good choice - it is accessible and easy to consume. Split into three sections: loving, living and learning, the book briefly covers all the major technology dilemmas/issues confronting us in the modern world. Published in 2021, it also references the challenges that the pandemic threw at us in terms of technology (zoom fatigue among them).

Take the to-do list out of your head – put it on paper or electronic notes, make a list. It is easier to visualize what needs to be done. The issue of “sharenting” and how ethical it is to share pictures of your children online since they cannot consent to this sharing? More than 81% of children have an online presence by the age of 2 👼🏽 Some don’ts: avoid opening more tabs (you don’t need them); try not to let your stomach control your brain (hangry is real people!); and say no to the naughty stuff (it’s tempting to pop a sleeping pill or down a bottle of wine in one sitting in an attempt to distract yourself from the tabs, but, ultimately, these are not good self-care options). In today’s modern world we are constantly faced with a barrage of information via multiple devices, and our communication habits don’t often have an off switch. Remember, technology is where the saying ‘my brain has too many tabs open’ came from in the first place! Now, I am pro-tech (my to-do list and calendar, aka my entire life, is stylishly managed via my iPhone) but I am also a big fan of the digital detox, that is, no TV, no laptop, no mobile phone etc. Deep breathing has a multitude of health benefits but, when it comes to the brain, consciously taking a breathe simply allows time to pause. And when you purposefully pause you create an opportunity to clear your mind and direct your concentration.

Try a 1 minute meditation. Inspired by the book The One-Moment Master: Stillness for People on the Goby Martin Boroson, this is a tool I love and a technique I used regularly with my Year 9 students when I was a classroom teacher (hey, if 15 year olds can can master it, so can you!). Her book offers attainable and realistic ways to reduce technology use and alleviate the burdens it can place on us as individuals and on our relationships. It never felt patronising either, which is important, because who wants to be patronised? Comparison Culture – 52% of teens feel less confident because of feeling inadequate when comparing their social media profiles with other people’s; Whilst frenzied workdays and long hours may not be in your control, you can control how you respond to them. Adopting the above tips can bring some mental relief and reset your ability to focus on what’s most important and which tabs to keep open. Consciously stop and take a deep breath. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth (make a big hefty sigh!). Do it again. Now focus on breathing in and out solely through your nose — breathe in for four (literally count 1–2–3–4) and breathe out for four. Do it again, and again. Resume normal breathing and reap the benefits!Goodin’s book is made up of anonymised accounts of people she has worked with throughout her career, from children in schools to bosses in the workplace and even Uber drivers! There are 24 stories in total, divided into the three sections of ‘ Loving’, ‘Living’ and ‘Learning‘ to represent the different areas of our lives which the digital world has infiltrated. They are titled with the conversation-starting vocabulary we often use here at Time To Log Off, highlighting the realities of these oft-discussed tropes such as ‘phubbing’ (snubbing someone for your phone) or ‘sharenting’ (over-sharing your children on social media). After each narrative follows diagnostic guides, data and practical advice for improving habits. This book is accessible for everyone. The narrative sections clearly communicate the issues to those with less expertise in the area whilst the data, manifesto and practical tips are provocative for those of all levels of knowledge of the subject. The layout and language are clearly comprehensible for the whole family with bright colours and large graphics breaking up the text throughout. It is well worth a read! About the author

It is mostly introductory so it’s worth reading through the sections that interest you and potentially using additional resources to delve in further. As a society, our relationship with technology really is getting quite out of control. It’s normal to have your phone next to you at all times. It’s normal to spend hours on it each day. Take a Mindful moment – 3 deep breathes will take around one minute. This allows the brain a moment to pause which can create an opportunity to clear your mind and refocus. My one and only problem with the book was that the same chapter pattern was used almost the entire time, and that really slowed me down, since it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. A little more diversity in format would have been appreciated on my part.

ON TROLLING

Complete with diagnostic guides to tell-tale signs and a manifesto for improved digital citizenship , this habit-improving bible offers the conversation-starting vocabulary we so desperately need to understand and untangle our relationship with technology for a more humane world.