In this current society in which we live, in which we need to always be connected and doing things, it is easy to disconnect from ourselves. Our mind goes a hundred, but attention is dispersed and it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain it in the present moment. If there is no immediate reward, it is difficult for us to remain patient. The result is a greater sense of loss of control.

The psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé, in his latest book Recover your mind, recapture your life (Ed. Espasa) puts this situation on the table in a very original way and refers us to stop operating on «autopilot» to see our life again as one opportunity to enjoy and share, and not just as something that happens around us in spite of us.

With his usual informative and scientific style, Dr. Rojas talks about the impact of social networks on mental healthhow they affect time management and, above all, emotions. She herself states that we have become accustomed to focusing our attention on the superficial and we lose the ability to look beyond. Literally Marian defines our current society as «emotional drug addicts.»

How dopamine modifies behavior

Dopamine plays a very important role in this feeling of dependence. It is one of those known as happiness hormones, actually a neurotransmitter that provides the brain with the sensation of pleasure. A hug, a kiss or a smile activates the production of dopamine, but there is a problem: alcohol, drugs, gambling or social networks, too.

Dopamine is directly related to the feeling of reward and that generates a need for the brain, which increasingly asks for more. And the dopamine generated in excess and constantly ends up affecting our behavior and our emotions.

30 motivational phrases by MARian Rojas

All this affects, without being very conscious, our ability to pay attention. Thus, we have compiled some phrases from the book by Marian Rojas Estapé who invite us regain lost attentionto connect with ourselves now regain emotional balance.