Technology & Communication

You’ve heard me say more than once ‘if you don’t move it, you’ll lose it’ in regards to getting regular exercise. Did you know the same can be said for using our brains?Recently, my family (with the exception of my oldest nephew, who is completing an internship in Texas) and I vacationed at Norris Lake. We’ve rented the same lake house for the last five years, and although it’s a great house, the wireless connection is spotty – at best. When we weren’t on the lake, all 11 of us in the house were clamoring for wireless connectivity and the house fell silent. When we weren’t getting the wireless signal, the house was very noisy with conversations about everything from soccer to whether the Reds actually traded Johnny Cueto.Have you noticed this same thing in your own daily lives? Every free minute you have are you looking at your smartphone or tablet instead of talking to you family? If so, have you thought about the affect this has on your brain and ultimately your body?Your brain is tied to your heart by your vagus nerve. Therefore, variations in your heart rate provide an index of your vagal tone. The higher your vagal tone, the better your body is able to regulate internal systems that keep you healthy. The vagal tone also affects facial expressions. By increasing this vagal tone we increase our capacity for friendship and empathy.So what does all of that mean? Simply, it means the more connected you are with others (and not through technology), the healthier you become and vice versa. Lack of social contact can hurt you. If you don’t move your body, your muscles start to diminish. If you don’t regularly exercise your ability to connect face-to-face, then your biological capacity to do so will also diminish. So put down your smart phone and have an actual conversation!