Hi, I'm Yamin, and I'm happy to see your question.
First of all, your question shows that you're self-aware and can recognize that your current behavior needs to change. This is often the first step in any transformation.
The rise of the Internet and new media has brought us convenience and progress, but it also brings some hidden dangers. I think most people, including myself, can relate to this point you mentioned.
As an office worker, it's only natural to want to unwind after a stressful day at work. At the same time, it's important to recognize ways that can bring us positive and lasting happiness. The short videos you mentioned aren't the best option, as they're not particularly healthy or long-lasting.
1. Get a solid grasp on the principles and drawbacks of short videos.
Short videos are usually short and sweet, with light-hearted and humorous content that can quickly get the audience interested and laughing. However, this kind of happiness is short-lived because it mainly relies on instant stimulation and entertainment, lacking lasting satisfaction.
On short video platforms, we can easily browse through a lot of different videos, but they're not always that in-depth. This fast turnover of information might make it harder to concentrate and focus on a video or task, because the brain is always drawn to new things.
Watching short videos is often a passive experience, and we rarely have to actively think or participate. In contrast, learning and working that requires deep thinking requires more attention, concentration, and thinking skills, which may be difficult for the brain accustomed to the fast pace of short videos.
The brain adapts to frequent short-term pleasure, so the same level of stimulation no longer brings the same sense of pleasure. This is why you find that the feeling of happiness quickly fades and you need to constantly find new stimuli.
If you're overindulging in short video clips, it can affect your time management and concentration. When you get used to getting pleasure quickly, it can be harder to concentrate on things that require long-term commitment, like learning and work.
It's also worth noting the long-term effects of watching short videos, such as eye diseases like weakened eyesight and eye strain. Prolonged viewing in the same position can also have a negative impact on our cardiovascular system, cervical spine, and other parts of the body.
When we understand the principles and harms of the system, we'll be more aware of our own management and motivated to reduce the autonomy of short video brushing.
2. Here are some suggestions for improvement:
Set a time limit for watching short videos every day to avoid getting carried away. Gradually cut back on the time you spend watching short videos and spend more time on other meaningful activities.
✍Try to gradually increase the time you spend thinking deeply and concentrating. You can help yourself focus by setting aside specific study or work periods and creating a quiet, distraction-free environment.
✍Look for other ways to entertain yourself, like reading, sports, or socializing. These activities can help you feel more satisfied in the long run.
✍You can gradually improve your patience and concentration by practicing meditation, concentration training, or reading long articles.
It's important to realize that the happiness brought by short videos is short-lived. Long-term satisfaction comes from meaningful learning, work, and relationships. Try to cultivate the pursuit and persistence of long-term goals.
We all have different situations and habits, so it takes time and effort to make changes. Work on developing good habits and self-management skills gradually.
3. Other ways to relieve stress and reduce fatigue
In addition to watching short videos, there are other ways to bring more lasting and healthy happiness into our lives. I've experienced this firsthand. Recently, I've had a lot of projects and many connections to make. There's business to get out and team management to follow up on. Every day, I wake up and go to sleep with work on my mind. After a period of poor sleep, I've been able to regulate my stress through the following methods, making me more at ease. For example
The right exercise can release endorphins, improve your mood, and reduce stress. You can choose your preferred form of exercise, such as walking, running, yoga, or swimming. I swim one or two times a week, plus two sessions of 40 minutes or more with dumbbells. On weekdays, I start after work around 8 pm, and on weekends, 8-9 am. It really gives me more energy.
Find a quiet spot to meditate and practice deep breathing. Focus on your breath and let your thoughts calm down.
Make sure you get enough sleep and rest to fully restore your body. Try to make it a habit to go to bed at 11 o'clock.
Do something you enjoy, like reading, painting, music, photography, etc. It'll help you relax and forget about work.
It's good to talk to colleagues, friends, or family to share feelings and experiences, gain support, and understand each other better. When stressed, venting to a girlfriend or chatting with Ai is also a good option.
It's important to set a reasonable work plan to avoid getting overwhelmed and stressed. Learn to allocate your time reasonably and prioritize the most important tasks.
I'm going to set aside a quarter of an hour before I finish work on the first day to review what I've done and what I need to do tomorrow. That way, I'll sleep better and I won't feel overwhelmed or stressed.
It's also a good idea to try some relaxation techniques, like a hot bath, massage, or listening to light music. And remember to look after your body and mind by eating well, drinking in moderation, and getting enough rest and exercise.
Try to see the bright side of things when it comes to your work and life. Focus on the opportunities to solve problems rather than the difficulties.
Everyone has different ways of relaxing, so choose the method that suits you best, based on your preferences and needs.
4. How can I start to develop the habit of in-depth learning and thinking?
✅Make plans and set goals: Figure out what you want to get out of your learning or work, and make a plan to get there. Break down the big goals into smaller ones, and set reasonable time points for each stage.
This will help you learn or work in a more methodical way and improve your efficiency.
✅Create a focused environment: Find a quiet, distraction-free space to study or work, away from phones and TVs. You can use tools like noise-cancelling headphones and focus apps to help you create a focused atmosphere.
✅Set regular study/work hours: Set a regular study or work schedule and block off a fixed period of time each day for in-depth study or work. This will help you develop a habit and gradually get your brain used to focusing.
✅Use effective learning methods: Try different learning methods such as previewing, taking notes, summarizing, etc. Find a learning method that works for you to improve your learning effectiveness and interest.
✅Take regular breaks and relax. Prolonged periods of study or work can lead to fatigue and loss of concentration. So, it's important to take regular breaks and relax with appropriate activities, such as going for a walk, stretching, or taking a short break to refresh.
✅Keep your interest and curiosity alive. When you're learning or working on something, it's good to keep your interest and curiosity alive. Look for interesting aspects related to the subject and explore them in depth to increase the joy of learning.
✅ Learn time management skills. Learn to allocate time reasonably and prioritize important tasks. Avoid putting things off and trying to do too many things at once. Focus on one task until it is done before moving on to the next.
✅ Look for chances to work with or talk to others: studying or working with classmates, colleagues, or learning partners can be motivating and helpful. Discussing problems and sharing ideas can help you learn more and improve the quality of your work through communication and cooperation.
I hope you find this info useful. Best wishes!
Comments
I can totally relate to what you're saying. It feels like the quick hits of joy from videos don't stick around, and it's hard to hold onto that good feeling once it's gone. Maybe we need a different kind of activity that offers more lasting satisfaction.
Sometimes I wonder if the shortlived entertainment actually trains our brains to seek constant new stimuli. It might be worth trying activities that engage us for longer periods, such as reading or crafting, which could help with focus and patience over time.
It sounds like the fleeting nature of videoinduced happiness is affecting your ability to concentrate on deeper tasks. Perhaps integrating mindfulness practices into your routine could help bridge that gap between unwinding and needing to dive back into focused work.
The cycle of seeking momentary pleasure through videos may be creating a pattern where deep, thoughtful tasks become challenging. Experimenting with hobbies that require sustained attention might gradually improve your capacity for concentration and reduce the urge to constantly switch content.