When anxiety and fear of driving are mowing you down, perhaps all you need to do is shut off that TV, video came, computer and the other gads of electronics all vying for your attention at the same time.
A study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking found a clear and obvious link between media multi-tasking and signs of depression and anxiety. The more your brain is being pulled in various electronic directions, the more depressed, anxious, full of fear and stressed out you may feel.
The link was so clear and obvious, it even surprised the study’s lead investigator, Mark Becker of Michigan State University. Also obvious is the massive surge in media multi-tasking. Science Daily notes the past 10 years have seen a 20 percent increase in media use and a whopping 120 percent increase in multi-tasking with various media.
Becker was unsure, however, if the proverbial chicken or the egg came first.
“We don’t know whether the media multitasking is causing symptoms of depression and social anxiety, or if it’s that people who are depressed and anxious are turning to media multitasking as a form of distraction from their problems.”
In either case, you may find your driving anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues decrease if you tune off and log out.
Read full article at Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121204145557.htm
