How can technology affect my mood?

In this video, David Sjostrand, NP, from West Valley Medical Group - Wilder, says technology can cause stress. This is an especially big stressor for teenagers and young adults, even triggering psychological harm.

Technology, like computers and cell phones, have the ability to hog your attention and affect your mood. In this video, Dr. Weil explains how information overload from technological devices impacts our lives.

There is a multi-faceted link between technology and our mood. On the one hand, modern technology has many positive aspects that increase the ability and capacity to connect and bond with other people, which often inspires exchanges of love and compassion. Expressing love and kindness toward others can increase a precious substance in the body called ojas, considered the source of our radiance and vitality from an Ayurvedic standpoint.

On the other hand, our computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices can have us plugged in 24/7 and can often cause us to feel fatigue and exhaustion, which can take heavy tolls on our mood, health, and well-being. Since our technology never sleeps, it is important that we sync with the daily rhythms of nature and get adequate rest at proper times for optimal health.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, there are two major energies (vatas) in the body. One is apana prana, which moves upwards to the head and supports the nervous system, and the other is is apana vata, which moves down into the pelvis and supports reproductive, eliminative, and adrenal functions. In times of overwhelming stress, the apana vata switches directions of its flow and moves upward toward the head to support the nervous system, leaving the lower apana-vata systems without an adequate energy flow.

Chronic, ongoing stress depletes apana and the function of the adrenals, reproduction, and elimination can be diminished. Interestingly, worry, fear, anxiety, and emotional stress are among the top common causes of deep adrenal fatigue and can also result in poor sleep and further stress on the body.