The answer is probably yes. Information overload is a problem that a large number of us face every single day. This is one of the biggest concerns of the modern, digital age and can have devastating consequences on our health and on our mood.
But what exactly do we mean when we use the term ‘information overload’ as a condition?
Information overload, also known as ‘information fatigue’, basically describes a situation where you begin to feel weighed down by the huge amount of data that you’re exposed to and forced to deal with on a daily basis.
The most obvious source of information overload comes from technology. At any time you could be looking at multiple screens simultaneously without realising. For instance, when making a booking online you could also be listening to music and opening and replying to notifications from various social media accounts. And that’s excluding the non-technological distractions!
Look at what you’re doing now. You’re probably reading this article whilst several other tabs are open on your device. It may not appear as though you’re doing yourself any damage, but the thing to recognise here is that each each time you’re focussing on a screen, or jolted awake by a notification, this causes an elevation in stress hormones. It also requires mental energy, which of course is a finite resource.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
The main signs and symptoms of information overload tend to be somewhat similar to general stress/adrenal fatigue.
Alongside feeling tired or ‘burned out’, you may experience the following:
- Increased cardiovascular stress
- Rise in blood pressure
- Low mood
- Feelings of confusion
- Impaired vision
You may also find that, as a result of information overload, your ability to focus and make decisions effectively weakens. Overexposure to data can cause us to lose concentration and makes even the simplest of tasks more challenging, reducing motivation and slowing us down.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with information and feel as though it’s impacting on your mood or health, contact us at Birmingham Counselling Services on 0121 314 9903 or via the Contact page to see how Counselling, Therapy and our Workshops could help you.