The demands of modern life can cause damage to the brain and mental health. The pace and intensity of the demands on us in society shape the way we experience and live our existence. This new way of living is influenced by a multifaceted set of technological, scientific and economic changes. The impositions to which modernity subjects us increase cortisol (stress) levels in the body. Although stress is an adaptive response, when generated persistently and at high levels it can become a problem for our brain. The media, scientific advances and the exponential growth of consumerism are changing our lives so rapidly that it can be difficult to adapt.
In that sense, inhibitory control allows us to control attention, behavior, thoughts and emotions to regulate our impulses and redirect our actions towards what is appropriate for the situation we are not in. Thanks to this capacity, we can say "no" to the desire that urges us to consume the product we are being sold. We live in consumerist societies, in which human beings identify themselves with the objects they possess, with the knowledge they have and with the information they accumulate. If the brain were not capable of controlling our behavior, we would be subjected to an impossible way of life in which we would not be able to escape any of our desires. Without inhibitory control we would be at the mercy of impulses: to consume, to attack, to eat, to insult.
In the same vein, our old habits of thought would lead us from one place to another. Therefore, inhibitory control gives us back the power to choose and to modify our reactions, instead of being unthinking creatures. Thus, in a modern world saturated with stimulation, inhibitory control helps us to focus our attention on certain stimuli and filter out those that interfere with the tasks we are performing. In addition, cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt to environmental conditions when faced with a task. One aspect of flexibility is to be able to change perspectives spatially or interpersonally. To do this, we need to inhibit the current perspective and adopt a different one.
Also, cognitive flexibility requires and relies on inhibitory control and working memory. Modern society is changeable, malleable and adjusts to the continuous demands of the productive and consumer market. In this unstable and uncertain context, human beings require the ability to adapt more and more quickly to the flows of society, i.e., we need flexibility. Modern life, with its incessant work, cognitive demands and lack of certainties, moves us towards an increasingly accelerated and stressful way of life that impacts the way our brain functions. However, this extraordinary organ always manages to adapt to the environment in which it lives.
In conclusion, we lead a rhythm of life that is sometimes almost hellish, unbearable. And it has its consequences. Access to different technologies, long and exhausting working days, economic problems and an endless number of activities that we must carry out in our daily lives are causing a fatigue crisis in a large part of the world's population. This is a problem that has not been recognized as such, but is becoming a burden for those who suffer from it. We often find it difficult to understand the close relationship between body and mind. Although historically they have been perceived as independent elements, health can never be complete if it leaves one of them aside.
Does modern life affect you in any way?
Disclaimer: I would like to let you know that English is not my mother tongue, I may even make some mistakes in the elaboration of sentences in my posts. Feel free to correct me attentively. It will help me in my learning process.
I especially want to thank my loyal sponsors for their unconditional support. I truly wish them the best this world can give them. I would also like to invite my readers to stop by and review your content, it is very interesting and valuable.
My most recent articles:
Another perspective on loneliness.
Time puts everyone in their place.
People who get more excited than others.
You can follow me on: