Overstimulation is ruining your life.
Here are 10 steps to fight back against Supernormal Stimuli.
Here are 10 steps to fight back against Supernormal Stimuli.
Supernormal Stimuli:
Artificial stimulus that is so powerful—it becomes more appealing than the real thing.
Artificial stimulus that is so powerful—it becomes more appealing than the real thing.
Nobel prize winner Nikolaas Tinbergen discovered this in nature:
In a study of butterflies:
Males preferred a cardboard mate who had artificially enhanced markings to a real female.
In a study of butterflies:
Males preferred a cardboard mate who had artificially enhanced markings to a real female.
But how does this apply to humans?
Junk food:
Modern food is engineered to be hyperstimulating and addictive. Unsurprisingly, obesity has skyrocketed.
Porn:
There are few things that hammer our dopamine faster than watching naked people on a screen. It doesn't get more artificial than this.
Modern food is engineered to be hyperstimulating and addictive. Unsurprisingly, obesity has skyrocketed.
Porn:
There are few things that hammer our dopamine faster than watching naked people on a screen. It doesn't get more artificial than this.
Video games:
Video games can be a perfectly healthy outlet. But sometimes people become so obsessed that they prioritize it over their real life.
Digital media:
Excessive internet and social media use has been linked to depression, increased stress, and an inability to focus.
Video games can be a perfectly healthy outlet. But sometimes people become so obsessed that they prioritize it over their real life.
Digital media:
Excessive internet and social media use has been linked to depression, increased stress, and an inability to focus.
Now don't panic.
Like with everything—the key here is balance.
You can still eat Oreos and play World of Warcraft.
But it's important to:
1. Be aware of your consumption habits
2. Set healthy limits
Like with everything—the key here is balance.
You can still eat Oreos and play World of Warcraft.
But it's important to:
1. Be aware of your consumption habits
2. Set healthy limits
The problems come when we lose this balance and start letting addiction to certain stimuli control our life.
Here's what you can do:
Here's what you can do:
âś… Do a stimulation audit
That sounds weird, I know.
But the first step is to examine how much of this supernormal stimuli you’re indulging in on a daily basis.
Track your time/diet/habits for a few days.
You might be shocked at what you find.
That sounds weird, I know.
But the first step is to examine how much of this supernormal stimuli you’re indulging in on a daily basis.
Track your time/diet/habits for a few days.
You might be shocked at what you find.
âś… Put your phone in grayscale
It may seem harmless.
But your phone is extremely stimulating.
This is one of the fastest ways to de-weaponize it.
On iOS:
1. Go to Settings
2. Accessibility
3. Display & Text Size
4. Color Filters --> Grayscale
It may seem harmless.
But your phone is extremely stimulating.
This is one of the fastest ways to de-weaponize it.
On iOS:
1. Go to Settings
2. Accessibility
3. Display & Text Size
4. Color Filters --> Grayscale
âś… Go outside
Seriously.
It's that simple sometimes.
Leave your phone at home.
Go for a walk.
I've never once regretted doing this.
Seriously.
It's that simple sometimes.
Leave your phone at home.
Go for a walk.
I've never once regretted doing this.
âś… Block stimulating websites
I use a power duo of Chrome extensions:
1. BlockSite (blocksite.co)
- Blocks any porn or porn adjacent websites
2. StayFocusd (stayfocusd.com)
- Sets time limits on websites I want to spend less time on (YouTube, Reddit)
I use a power duo of Chrome extensions:
1. BlockSite (blocksite.co)
- Blocks any porn or porn adjacent websites
2. StayFocusd (stayfocusd.com)
- Sets time limits on websites I want to spend less time on (YouTube, Reddit)
âś… Have a scheduled cheat meal day
This one can be controversial.
But it works for me.
I have a designated "pizza night" every Wednesday.
Now, instead of random binges—I actually stick to my diet.
Plus I've added something to look forward to each week.
This one can be controversial.
But it works for me.
I have a designated "pizza night" every Wednesday.
Now, instead of random binges—I actually stick to my diet.
Plus I've added something to look forward to each week.
âś… Set limits on video game time
I play video games.
They're not evil.
I actually think they're a great way to bond with friends.
However—I do set limits.
I use Temptation Bundling:
I only play if I've completed a healthy habit beforehand.
I play video games.
They're not evil.
I actually think they're a great way to bond with friends.
However—I do set limits.
I use Temptation Bundling:
I only play if I've completed a healthy habit beforehand.
âś… Protect your mornings and nights
First thing after waking.
Last thing before going to bed.
These are NOT the times when we want to be overstimulated.
Try this:
No phone for 1 hour after waking.
No phone for 1 hour before sleep.
First thing after waking.
Last thing before going to bed.
These are NOT the times when we want to be overstimulated.
Try this:
No phone for 1 hour after waking.
No phone for 1 hour before sleep.
âś… Trade your phone for a book
I know I'm beating a dead horse here.
But your phone is a fucking atom bomb of stimulation.
The more you can get away from it—the better.
A book is a great replacement.
I know I'm beating a dead horse here.
But your phone is a fucking atom bomb of stimulation.
The more you can get away from it—the better.
A book is a great replacement.
âś… Schedule time to do "nothing"
Plan time each day to remove all inputs.
Turn off your devices.
Get off the internet.
Allow your mind some space to decompress.
You'll be amazed at the level of clarity you can reach in a short time.
Plan time each day to remove all inputs.
Turn off your devices.
Get off the internet.
Allow your mind some space to decompress.
You'll be amazed at the level of clarity you can reach in a short time.
âś… Limit your caffeine consumption
Caffeine increases dopamine receptors.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing.
But hammering your brain constantly with caffeine can lead to levels of stimulation that may not be sustainable.
Caffeine increases dopamine receptors.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing.
But hammering your brain constantly with caffeine can lead to levels of stimulation that may not be sustainable.
That's a wrap!
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me @thecolbykultgen for more of these
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
If you enjoyed this thread:
1. Follow me @thecolbykultgen for more of these
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
Want to get 1% better every day?
Sign up for my free newsletter.
I'll send you the 5 best tips, hacks, and resources I find each week.
Join here: colbynewsletter.ck.page
Sign up for my free newsletter.
I'll send you the 5 best tips, hacks, and resources I find each week.
Join here: colbynewsletter.ck.page
Loading suggestions...