Nexting is a phenomenon that is characterized by continuous anticipation of the future. This behavior is related to the release of dopamine in our brain, which causes a detachment from the present moment. In times when social networks satisfy our desires instantly or the extensive range of entertainment content becomes a constant stimulus, practicing nexting is a way to reward the brain cyclically.
However, this behavior can in the long run generate some anxiety, dissatisfaction, and disconnection from the present moment. And transferring emotions to the future deprives us of paying attention to and enjoying what happens in the here and now. Some experts on the problem have already investigated activities and therapies that can help us reconnect with the present and calm anxiety, such as painting mandalas or applying the grounding technique. Next, we delve into the scientific explanation of nexting and the possible alternatives to address it.
Studies on nexting have revealed that sensory stimuli in the environment, such as smells, television advertisements or notifications from our cell phones, play a fundamental role in the secretion of dopamine in the brain, according to researcher Mitch Abblet in an article published in The Psychologist. This neurochemical response occurs when, for example, we think about things we would like to do or we are about to buy something we have wanted for a long time. This is why nexting is so addictive, because we tend to associate acts of anticipation with a pleasant and immediate reward.
To control this eagerness for the future, it is important to put into practice mindfulness techniques that free us from mental wandering and anticipatory thoughts. In this way, a brief and periodic session of mindfulness can help us stop future daydreams and engage fully and consciously with the present moment.
Identifying the thoughts that incite you to nexting is key to eradicating them. The normal thing is that they surprise you in moments of boredom or waiting. This is also when you should appreciate the importance of breathing deeply, stopping and simply being an observer, and not a slave, of your thoughts. Reconnecting with the present is, in a way, enjoying what is happening in each moment and ignoring ambitions or worries that belong to the future.
