My husband believes I’m addicted to my iphone. And though I’d never admit he’s probably right….well, he’s probably right. With each scroll, swipe, like and comment a dopamine blast hits my biased brain. Dopamine is a hormone that affects our emotions and behaviors. It is often called the ‘feel good’ hormone often associated with triggers that allow us to feel good. Retail therapy, the smell of bacon, and great sex all offer a dopamine ‘rush’. Some foods increase dopamine within the brain including but not limited to cheese, chicken and pumpkin seeds. Of course, there’s the darker, more addictive side, to dopamine which can be linked to drug addiction.
Scrolling through social media releases dopamine and social media algorithms are utilized to keep users on their phones.
Yet scrolling can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and isolation. The constant ‘comparisonitis’ of being barraged by ‘fake and filtered’ images can take a toll. It’s a dangerous dopamine loop of destruction. In my newest keynote, Just Be(longing): Authenticity, Belonging and Connection at Work (https://tworksforyou.ca/just-belonging-authenticity-belonging-and-connection-at-work/) I talk about the importance of connection and how imperative ‘high touch vs high tech’ connections actually are. Most employees don’t leave due to pay, benefits or even a lack of promotions but rather because of how they feel physically and emotionally at work. Belonging is a feeling that can be cultivated through action.
Belonging is a feeling cultivated by action.
Tina Varughese
Our actions, our behavior and our words matter. They influence, inspire and impact others sometimes positively and sometimes negatively.
- When was the last time you offered someone positive praise at work?
- When was the last time you received positive praise at work?
- When was the last time you witnessed positive praise at work?
- When was the last time you interrupted someone during a meeting?
- When was the last time you were interrupted during a meeting?
- When was the last time you witnessed someone being interrupted at a meeting?
- When was the last time you received an email that affected your mood negatively?
- When was the last time you sent an email that affected your mood negatively?
- When was the last time you were cc’d on an email that affected your mood negatively?
Recently I witnessed a negative email exchange between two people that I genuinely like and respect. Yet, admittedly, when I read the first one I thought to myself, “hmm- that was rude. I wonder if they were being intentionally rude?”. The retort was equally as rude and certainly intentional yet a smiley emoji was offered at the end. Smiley emojis are the social equivalent of a friendly wave when you’re cut off in traffic. It doesn’t make everything better but somehow offers forgiveness. Though I recognize a phone call or even a casual coffee takes some time….isn’t the time invested in a quick phone chat where others can ascertain tone and intonation better than negative moods, hurt feelings, aggravation and even quiet quitting?
Stop the doomsday scrolling through Wastebook and the snarky responses in email. Pick up a phone, take a colleague for a cup of coffee, walk and talk with your spouse, go for a drive with your teenager.
A one on one conversation can cultivate a sense of belonging rather than a longing to belong in a world where we need connection more than ever.
