Is this the flip side of desire or need? Is it a sense of been there, done that? That there is nothing left to experience, or is just that our senses have been so stimulated that it feels like enough already? We live in a time when our desires are often fulfilled with the click of a button - so is it so surprising that suddenly entire lives feel (falsely) satiated?
What is Overstimulation? According to Mental Health Daily: "Overstimulation is defined as a state of over-arousal or being stimulated to an excessive degree. There can be various genetic factors at play that make people more prone to feeling overstimulated and social anxiety, but environmental factors can also play a role. In order to engage in socialization and feel somewhat normal, the level of physiological stimulation must be lowered. By lowering the stimulation of someone with extreme social anxiety, it is hypothesized that they will be better functioning and more comfortable in social situations."
In 2011, a young couple in Goa ended their lives saying, "We`ve lived a full life, now we choose to end it." They were highly-educated professionals living in an upper middle class residential area. But one fine day, willing their possessions to family and neighbours, they wrote: "We have lived a very eventful and happy life together. We`ve travelled the world, lived in different countries, made more money than we ever thought possible, and enjoyed spending as much of it as we could on things that brought us joy and satisfaction. We believe in the philosophy that our life belongs to us and only us, and we have the right to choose to die as much as we have the right to live. We leave behind no debts or liabilities. We have kept Rs. 10,000 in an envelope for expenses. We are making this decision in our individual capacities."
Are there an increasing number of young adults who feel an emptiness that comes from having plenty, but have no wish to fill it? Why is that?
In our parents` generation, they were busy trying to build a house, save for their old age and get their children married. There was enough family and friends and accompanying drama to keep everyone involved and even responsible for day-today developments.
Has the advent of modern age, the bombardment of electronics also led to a demolition of the need and want to do? For instance, take the desire to travel - if you long to see the pyramids in Egypt or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all you have to do is just Google a virtual, 360-degree view of those places and times.
Its all there right where you are and it`s comfortable. It is also without adventure but when you can see the minutest detail without leaving your bedroom, why bother? Also, what would ordinarily take you days now takes minutes.
We are constantly surrounded by a world that is throwing information at us. Krystal Cleaver in The Huffington Post writes, "Social media is being used by 74% of online adults and usually multiple times a day. Many individuals in our society are checking their phone and social media accounts before even stepping foot on the ground in the morning. Contrary to popular belief, we are becoming less efficient than ever. We are pulling ourselves into too many different directions.
When we single-task rather than multitask, we produce less cortisol, which means we are less stressed. Essentially, this makes us happier and able to do our jobs more efficiently."
So are we stressed with relentless multi-tasking or do we have so much, do we see and experience so much everyday on a phone, a tablet, a laptop that somewhere it`s too much too soon?
To use a cliche, "time will tell ". Or perhaps Groucho Marx put it best when he said "I intend to live forever, or die trying."
Manika Raikwar Ahirwal is Managing Editor and Editor (Integration) with NDTV.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
More about:
