Unconscious Bias: Why it Happens and How to Unlearn It

Image
Before you finish reading this paragraph, your brain has already made a judgment about someone.  Their accent , their appearance , their profession, or the way they expressed an idea.  You did not consciously choose to judge — and that is exactly how unconscious bias works. Unconscious bias refers to the automatic assumptions and mental shortcuts our brains use to process the world quickly. These biases are shaped by culture, media, upbringing, education, and personal experiences. They exist everywhere — across countries, professions, and social systems . The uncomfortable truth is this: even kind, educated, well-intentioned people have unconscious bias. What matters is not pretending we don’t have it, but learning how to recognize and unlearn it. “We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” This article explores common examples of unconscious bias seen globally and practical ways anyone can overcome them. What Is Unconscious Bias?  Unconscious bias is not ...
Post a Comment

Dopamine Detox: Reclaim Your Focus Inspired by Thibaut Meurisse

Some notes from a recent book that I read need to be shared...

In a world overflowing with distractions, constant notifications, and endless scrolling, our minds are becoming overstimulated like never before. Author Thibaut Meurisse, known for his powerful self-improvement books, highlights one central truth.. to reach clarity, productivity, and emotional balance, we must regaiin control over our attention. 


One of the most effective ways to do this is through a dopamine detox.

A dopamine detox does not mean removing dopamine from your brain—it means reducing excessive, artificial stimulation so the mind can reset. That allows you to reconnect with deeper sources of joy and calm that modern life which often buries.



What Is a Dopamine Detox?

A dopamine detox is a deliberate break from activities that trigger fast or shallow dopamine hits—such as social media, junk food, binge-watching, or nonstop multitasking. 

According to Meurisse’s philosophy, eliminating these “noise sources” helps you rewire your brain to seek meaning instead of distraction.

Dopamine detox = clarity + discipline + inner balance.

When you stop feeding the brain with constant stimulation, something magical happens:

👉 Your focus increases.

👉 Your anxiety decreases.

👉 Your mind becomes sharper.

👉 You rediscover motivation and purpose.


This detox is not punishment—it’s a reset.



Why Our Dopamine System Is Overloaded

Thibaut Meurisse emphasized that most people today suffer not from a lack of willpower, but from overstimulation ! Every time a notification pops up, your brain receives a small reward. With time, this creates dependency.


We are drowning in “micro-dopamine spikes”:

- Endless scrolling

- Reels and short videos

- Constant messaging

- Emotional drama

- Fast food

- Multitasking

- Overconsumption of content


Instead of deep satisfaction, we get tiny, cheap rewards that leave us anxious, tired, unfocused and a desire of wanting more.

 

As Meurisse says:

“Distraction is the enemy of progress. If you don’t control your attention, something else will.”



Signs You Need a Dopamine Detox

You may need a reset if you notice:

- Difficulty focusing on one task

- Feeling restless without your phone

- Constant need to check notifications

- Decrease of motivation

- Emotional burnout

- Difficulty enjoying simple things

- Low productivity despite being “busy”

- Feeling overwhelmed and mentally fog.


If these sound familiar, it’s time to pause and rebalance.



How to Do a Simple Dopamine Detox (Easy & Practical)

You don’t need a mountain retreat or extreme discipline. You can start detoxing today, even with a busy schedule.

Here are some simple methods to reclaim your mental space:


1. Set a Daily “No-Distraction Hour”

Pick just one hour a day where:

- No phone

- No social media

- No unnecessary conversations

- No multitasking


Use this time to think, reflect, plan, or work deeply.

You’ll be shocked how peaceful the mind feels.



2. Replace Digital Stimulation With a Calm Ritual

Swap your current habits with grounding activities like :

-A short walk

- Light stretching

- Reading a physical book

- Journaling

- Deep breathing

- Enjoying silence


This helps your brain shift from chaos into calm.

“Stillness is not the absence of movement; it is the presence of clarity.”



3. Clean Up Your Digital Environment

Thibaut Meurisse often emphasizes the importance of removing friction.

Try:

- Turning off non-essential notifications

- Keeping your phone on silent

- Deleting apps that waste your time

- Avoiding screen use during meals

- Keeping your phone in another room while working

Digital minimalism = Mental freedom.



4. Practice “Single-Tasking”

Modern life glorifies multitasking, but it destroys productivity.

Focus on one thing at a time:

1 task → 100% attention → better results → less stress.

Your brain naturally produces deeper, more meaningful dopamine when completing tasks with presence.



5. Use Micro-Detoxes Throughout the Day

A dopamine detox doesn’t have to be long.

Try:

- 5 minutes of silence before sleep

- 10 minutes of morning unplugged time

- A 3–5 minute break between tasks

- Drinking water without checking your phone

Small breaks = big clarity.


6. Reduce Emotional Overload

A dopamine detox also means protecting your mind from emotional overstimulation.

Limit:

- Gossip

- Drama

- Overthinking

- Negative media

- Rumination

- jealousy

“Protect your attention the way you protect your most precious possession—because it is.”



Long-Term Benefits of Dopamine Detoxing

If practiced regularly, you may experience:

- Improved concentration

- Better decision-making

- Mental calmness

- Ability to enjoy simple things

- Stronger self-control

- Reduced anxiety

- Greater productivity

- Deep sense of satisfaction


Your mind becomes clear, spacious, and powerful.

You start living intentionally—not automatically.



Conclusion: Detox Your Brain, Transform Your Life

Thibaut Meurisse’s approach to personal growth centers on one idea:

Master your mind, and life becomes easier.

A dopamine detox is not about restriction—it’s about freedom.

Freedom from noise, overthinking, and unhealthy attachment to stimulation.

Start small.

Take one step.

Give your brain breathing room.

Soon, you will feel lighter, more focused, and more in control of your life.

“The life you want begins with the attention you control.”


Ready to reset your mind???

Start your dopamine detox today...

Take the first step toward clarity, focus, and real inner peace.

Your future self is waiting—begin now.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The First Week of Residency: Expectations vs Reality

From Dreams to the First Day of Reality Getting selected for general surgery training at a renowned and famous private institute felt like a dream come true .  The journey to that point was not easy, and I had already shared the detailed struggle, sacrifices, and perseverance in a previous blog ( https://faithfatigueandthefuture.blogspot.com/2025/11/starting-over-my-journey-from-different.html ).  Like many young doctors, I walked into this new phase with hope in my heart and ambition in my eyes. I believed this was the place where my professional identity would finally take a shape. However, the first week of postgraduate (PG) training taught me a lesson that no textbook or entrance exam ever could: expectations can be beautiful, but reality can be brutally honest.  “Sometimes what you imagine as a breakthrough turns out to be a breakdown before growth.” My Expectations Before Joining Surgical Training Before starting my training, I had a picture in my mind of how t...
Read more

Why Dislike Turns Into Obsession: The Psychology Behind It

The Psychology Behind Why We Get Stuck on Certain People Have you ever noticed that sometimes the people you dislike the most end up taking the most space in your mind? You don’t love them, you don’t admire them, you don’t even want to be close to them — yet somehow, their actions, words, and presence feel impossible to ignore. Recently, I realized how dislike can pull us into a strange emotional involvement — sometimes even deeper than love.  Love makes us think about someone with warmth. Dislike? It makes us think about someone with intensity  And intensity is powerful. Why Do We Become So Curious About People We Dislike? During my medical school years, I had a batchmate I couldn’t stand. She felt toxic to me — manipulative, controlling, always trying to stay ahead of everyone else. My dislike for her slowly grew into a weird fascination. What was she doing? Who was she talking to? How was she manipulating people? Soon, my friends and I bonded over our shared irritation with...
Read more

Your Life Feels Heavy Because You’re Exhausted, Not Lazy

One question always comes to my mind...  Why modern burnout has nothing to do with motivation — and everything to do with how we live. If you feel constantly tired, overwhelmed, or mentally drained , you’re not alone. Most people blame themselves: “I’m lazy .” “I lack discipline .” “Others manage, why can’t I?” But what if the problem isn’t you — it’s the lifestyle you’re trying to survive? Let me tell you why modern life exhausts us, how burnout quietly develops, and what small changes can restore energy, clarity, and emotional balance . Burnout Is Not Just a Work Problem Burnout isn’t limited to doctors, office workers , or students. It affects: - Stay-at-home parents - Creators - Entrepreneurs - Caregivers - People doing “nothing at all stressful” Burnout happens when mental load exceeds recovery . “You don’t burn out because you do too much. You burn out because you recover too little.” Signs You’re Burnt Out (But Don’t Realize It) Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic. Some...
Read more