getting physical in a digital world.

In our latest piece, we explore the human need to reconnect with physical experiences & the consequence of society becoming overly immersed in a digital world.

As technology continues to shape our lives, we find ourselves immersed in an environment that is increasingly mediated and moderated by algorithms and digital platforms. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, our daily routines are intertwined with the virtual. More and more of our social interactions are conducted through our screens, information is consumed through algorithmically curated feeds, and even our leisure time is often spent in digital spaces. While the convenience and connectedness of the digital world are undeniable, this relatively recent shift raises an urgent and important question: what role do physical experiences play in an era dominated by virtual engagement?

At a fundamental level, our common human experiences are literally ‘coded into’ our physical body and sensory perceptions. Our physical experiences—whether it’s the warmth of the sun on your skin, the texture of a book's pages, or the vibrant emotional responses we feel when we’re debating the world with friends over a coffee—all of these, engage our many senses in ways that digital experiences simply cannot get close to replicating. If you consider it a while, you’ll realise that these moments are not only pleasurable but also deeply grounding, constant and important components of our physical existence.

In contrast, digital experiences, no matter how immersive, are typically limited to visual and auditory inputs.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are being pioneered to try to bridge this gap, with new technologies such as Neuralink providing very compelling results for early-phase adopters, but even still, current technology still falls well short of the rich and vibrant, full sensory spectrum that our physical reality offers. If we stop and think about it, the kaleidoscopic experience of life is contained in our multi-sensory interaction with the world, and our bodies have evolved to allow us to connect in all manner of ways to our environment. Without this physical connection, there’s a huge risk that we become detached, living more in abstract constructs than in the tangible world around us. If you look around, this is the growing reality of our society.

One of the most significant aspects of physical experiences is the demand for our presence.

If you think about it for a second, when we are engaged in real-world activities-maybe hiking in nature, cooking a meal with the family, playing sports, or simply spending time with our friends— all of these acts require our attention in a way that digital experiences do not. The physical world is free from the distractions of notifications, scrolling feeds, or algorithmic nudges that constantly demand our attention.

In contrast, digital experiences are often designed to hijack the reward systems in our brain and fragment our focus, pulling us in different directions to maximize engagement. (Did you realise that these algorithms are built to keep us interacting with platforms as long as possible? NB You can read more on this subject in my previous blog post, or the dark side of Dopamine). This constant cognitive stimulation leads to shallow interactions, stress, anxiety, brain fatigue and an inability to truly engage with one thing at a time or be in a true flow-state. In contrast, physical experiences promote mindfulness and a deeper connection to the present moment, allowing us to develop a sense of calm and focus.

Photo credit: Jayne Riew

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, speaks to the importance of real human connection, particularly for younger generations who have grown up immersed in a digital world.

In his research on the "anxious generation," Haidt emphasizes how over-reliance on social media and virtual interactions has coincided with a surge in anxiety, depression, and loneliness among young people. The lack of genuine, in-person social experiences lead to "shallow relationships" and an erosion of emotional resilience. Without the grounding force of physical interactions, many in society are left with a sense of isolation and hollowness despite the irony of constant connectivity to digital peers.

This echoes the work of Johann Hari, who, in his book Lost Connections, argues that addiction and mental health struggles are often driven not by chemical dependencies but by a lack of meaningful social connection. Hari points to studies showing that environments rich in sociability and community lead to fewer cases of addiction, suggesting that when people feel a sense of belonging and purpose within a group, they are less likely to turn to addictive behaviours as a means of coping with emotional pain. In a society where much of our interaction is virtual, these physical and community-based experiences become even more essential for maintaining our mental health. Put simply, the opposite of addiction is connection.

One of the clearest examples of how physical experiences can enhance our mental well-being is to be found in the power of music and social gatherings. Music has long been a tool for emotional expression and human connection, but as we have all experienced, Music’s true potential is experienced in communal settings with friends and family. Live performances, group singing, or even jamming on instruments with friends offer more than just auditory pleasure; they create a shared experience that releases good brain chemicals, necessary for social bonding and emotional release.

These types of physical experiences have been shown to improve mental health by lowering stress chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline, and by doing so, increasing feelings of happiness, and building stronger social ties. Music therapy, for example, is widely used in treating anxiety and depression because it helps people reconnect with their emotions and with others. Similarly, studies suggest that social interactions—especially those that occur face-to-face in environments where people feel safe and included—can have very positive effects on our mental health by reducing feelings of isolation and increasing our sense of belonging.

In a world that is increasingly constructed by algorithms and digital interfaces, the value of physical, real-world experiences is more important than ever, and we should champion these benefits to our communities, families and loved ones...

The convenience of digital interaction is undeniable, but the cost of losing touch with our physical environment, our bodies, and the people around us is significant and the profound impact of the digital overdose is growing in front of our eyes. Real, embodied experiences—whether it’s enjoying music in a communal space, engaging in meaningful face-to-face conversations, or simply being present in the moment—are crucial for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.Having purpose is hard work and it isn’t easy, but you’ll feel good for it - I promise.

As Jonathan Haidt and Johann Hari argue, the root of many modern anxieties lies in our increasing disconnection from one another. If we are to combat the growing mental health crisis, we must prioritize physical experiences that bring us closer to nature, ourselves, and each other. These moments not only provide a respite from the distractions of the digital world, but they also remind us of our shared humanity, offering the sense of connection and purpose that no algorithm can replicate.

‘Physical is the new digital’, welcome to the future.

Andy Oattes.

“Loneliness isn’t the physical absence of other people, he said—it’s the sense that you’re not sharing anything that matters with anyone else. If you have lots of people around you—perhaps even a husband or wife, or a family, or a busy workplace—but you don’t share anything that matters with them, then you’ll still be lonely.”

Johann Hari, Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Join the movement