We're always working on the next thing and never resting
Today’s hectic lifestyle and advancements in modern technology have caused the brain to develop and work four times faster than a generation ago, according to new research.
The report reveals that life is speeding up as almost three quarters of Britons admit that their lives have become more fast paced over the past ten years - with everything from speech to decision making being affected.
Just over half of those surveyed, by lastminute.com and brain development specialist, Dr David Lewis, also admit that the hustle and bustle of everyday life has led to them becoming expert multi-taskers, with many having to juggle work, social and everyday activities all at the same time.
According to neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis, it is this increased demand on the brain and the need to quickly process information that has caused it to adapt to the 21st Century way of life.
He says: “Our brains have had to adapt to modern life over the past decade, they’ve developed into a parallel structure rather than a sequential one. This means we can think about, and process, more than one piece of information at any given time rather than just being able to focus on one after another.
“Research strongly suggests that digital experiences have changed the structure of the brain and, in turn, affected the way we think and digest information – it has changed the cognitive process and, as such, caused the brain’s synapses to change to help deal with modern day life.
“We’re now, more than ever before, making instant judgements. Long gone are the days when you had four minutes to create an impression on someone you’ve just met. In the digital age you’ve, at best, one hundredth of a second to make an impression.”
Women appear to be adapting to modern lifestyle at a faster rate than men - just under two thirds find themselves successfully juggling more than one task, compared to less than half of men.