April 2024
​By Lorraine Alexander
​

If asked, "Are you taking care of your health?" You may pause to think for a minute. Most people associate exercise, a balanced diet, hydration, and mental health with overall general health. And they would be correct in the most general sense. However, a component of human health must be considered—our exposure to technology.

In 1984 the term technostress was introduced.
Four decades later, many of us can relate to both the positive and negative influence of technology, including wifi, computers, cell phones, and social media. These technological advances add efficiency and convenience to life. Yet, at the same time, they also add stress. Everyone who sends a message expects a response. We feel the need to keep a presence online and in social circles. And in the workplace, our reputation depends on a speedy, accurate, and thoughtful response. 

With constant wifi connectivity, technostress threatens our health and lifestyle with complexity and information overload. There is a sub-current of uncertainty and angst as we face our ever-changing world of technology. In many ways, through the use of technology, we have become less connected to friends and business associates. 

With advancing technology, life seems more complex; we are less balanced and more stressed. Worst of all, we’ve lost sight of caring for our most valuable asset: brain health. 

​Expectations of the perfect life grow grand, making much of our stress self-induced. We push ourselves toward perfection—and as our needs and desires grow, we find that greater financial, emotional, and physical demands also grow. This path equates to less time to enjoy life and more work. It’s no wonder we feel stressed, exhausted, and unfulfilled.

Non-directive meditation is a powerful tool that reverses the cumulative effect of stress. Meditation will relax and rejuvenate you, and studies report it reduces the risk of Alzheimer's. This article explains how that's possible.

1) A brief history
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Over 100 years ago, in 1920, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda arrived from India to give his first speech in America. Five years later, he returned to be welcomed by LA’s limelight at the Philharmonic Auditorium. There was hesitation and concern, yet Yogananda felt sure he would be well-received by open minds, and he was right. The people of Los Angeles flocked to see Yogananda speak—not a single seat was vacant. The enthusiastic audience of 3,000 filled the hall to capacity; thousands were turned away. ​