According to a recent article in the NYT, devices such as computers, cell phones, video games are taking too much of our time and are more demanding on our brains than we realize. The article points out the irony of many of today's busy professionals working out in gyms as they watch television or even use computers.

The article cites a study conducted by the University of California San Francisco- I was unable to find a link to the study- in which researchers found that rats deviating from their normal patterns of activity were able to learn more. A study from the University of Michigan cited in the article found that those walking in urban environments were less relaxed than those walking in nature.

While I don't disagree with the findings of either of the above-mentioned studies, I am unclear about the negative impact of technology on those who rely on it in their day-to-day lives or if watching television while on the treadmill is really at that harmful. With the advent of technology and exercise videos, for example, I've felt much more confident about trying new exercises away from the judgemental eyes at the gym. Along the same lines, I was excited to download a free application for my phone which introduced me to new exercises that I could do at home or at the gym. I'm not alone in my opinion about the relationship between exercise and technology, the NYT interviewed the writer of "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" about his feelings about exercise and technology- John J. Ratey is of the opinion that anything getting people to exercise is a positive step.

I also found the headline of the article in the NYT a little sensationalistic-"Your Brain on Computers." Instead of citing the alleged negative effects of computer-time, the article quoted a researcher who said that spending time on computers took time away from other things we could be doing. The article also stated what we already know: evercise is important to your health.

I'm not advocating a life without exercise- I just think that it's important to note that even those who are exercising in front of a television are still exercising. I thought it was funny that the writer emphasized the point that those in a particular gym exercising with a view of plants were maybe healthier than those were in front of a television. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a treadmill also a machine?

While I do think the study about people being more relaxed in nature is probably valid, mentioning the study in the article doesn't change the fact that a majority of people in this country live in urban environments and might not have the chance every day to take a walk in the wilderness or a hike in the mountains.