Everyone forgets things. It’s not unusual to have trouble remembering the name of someone you’ve just met or recalling the face of a classmate you haven’t seen in 20 years. But it’s less normal — and a lot more inconvenient — to become chronically absent-minded. If you find yourself struggling to remember the minutiae of daily life, which page of a book you left off on, or when it’s time to pick your kids up from soccer practice, digital dementia could be to blame. The term “digital dementia” was coined in 2012 by German neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer, who studies how our addiction to technology is impacting our brains. According to Alzheimers.net, Spitzer found that “overuse of digital technology is resulting in the breakdown of cognitive abilities in a way that is more commonly seen in people who have suffered a head injury or psychiatric illness.” Because of the shared symptoms, Spitzer called the affliction digital dementia. In the years since, speculation has abounded about the causes of digital dementia and how people can fight it. A 2017 Forbes article theorized that the problem isn’t just time spent with screens but how much we rely on our smartphones to feed us once-memorized information. SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT DIGITAL DEMENTIA? What It Is, Where It Came From, and What It Could Mean for Our Screen Time
“In theory, having a device to store phone numbers, dates, maps and directions, and other information like that frees you up to focus on bigger and theoretically more important things,” Tony Bradley wrote in Forbes. “If you just use your device as a memory crutch, though, and you don’t take advantage of the opportunity to put your brain to work on other things, you aren’t exercising your brain, and it will atrophy.” Research shows digital dementia can be blamed in part on the mental strategies encouraged by video games. According to one study, gaming encourages the “response” strategy of following the same rote movements, while nongamers tend to use the “spatial” strategy of relying on landmarks when they navigate, which is better for mental sharpness. Whatever the root cause, we can take steps to fight digital dementia. As Dr. Carolyn Brockington told Alzheimers.net, the best strategies involve stepping away from screens and relying on brainpower. The next time you’re considering picking up your smartphone, try reading a book, playing a musical instrument, hitting the gym, or learning a new language instead.
SUDOKU
Keto Feta Tomato Soup
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried basil • 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional) • 3 cups water • 1 tsp honey or sugar or erythritol (optional) • 1/3 cup heavy cream • 2/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or butter) • 1/4 cup onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, peeled • 10 tomatoes, skinned, seeded, and chopped (or 2 14.5-oz cans of peeled tomatoes) • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/8 tsp black pepper • 1 tsp pesto sauce (optional) 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, pesto, oregano, basil, tomato paste, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add honey. DIRECTIONS
2. Cook on medium heat for 20
minutes, until tomatoes are tender. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Add cream and feta cheese. Cook for 1 more minute.
3. Add more salt if needed, and serve warm.
Safe, Effective Health Care Without Drugs & Surgery
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