What is the Origin of Information Hygiene?

The concept emerged in response to the exponential growth of digital information and the pervasive nature of attention-economy business models. It applies the public health principle of hygiene—preventative maintenance to avoid illness—to the realm of cognitive health, recognizing that unmanaged information flow is a source of cognitive toxicity.

What is the Mechanism of Information Hygiene?

By selectively reducing the volume and velocity of information intake, the practice decreases the constant demand on the brain's filtering mechanisms and working memory. This reduction in cognitive load mitigates the risk of prefrontal cortex overload, which can trigger the stress response and elevate cortisol levels. Effective information hygiene supports the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing for deeper cognitive processing and more efficient recovery.

Information Hygiene ∞ Area

Information Hygiene

Meaning

Information Hygiene is the conscious practice of curating, filtering, and minimizing exposure to extraneous, low-quality, or emotionally taxing information inputs across all digital and environmental channels. It is a preventative measure designed to protect finite cognitive bandwidth and prevent the chronic overstimulation of the nervous system. Maintaining robust information hygiene is critical for mental clarity maintenance and emotional stability.