Social media feeds our inner chimp

According to Tim Urban, being connected 24/7 feeds our “instant gratification monkey” (see his TED talk), or what Steve Peters would call our “inner chimp” – we react to events too quickly, making snap decisions, driven by our emotions (via the limbic system) before the “rational decision-maker” part of the brain (the pre-frontal cortex) can respond.  We get “hijacked” by our inner chimp and this can lead to bad decisions and poor outcomes, including lower well-being, anxiety and stress.

Having the courage to switch off from social media, and take time to reflect, reduces the pressures inherent in 24/7 connection and helps us make better decisions – we are in control rather than being at the mercy of our impulses and feeling in control is better for our wellbeing and mental health.

For more on this topic, see this article by William Leith.