Our world is now at a place where technology maintains supreme hold, which has led to our lives changing drastically. Going out and socializing with people used to be a priority before, but now we can socialize with them just fine with our smartphones. Computers, tablets, and LED screens have become a complete way of life, and they are involved in almost every activity that we do, be it working, exercising, or studying.
Technological advancements have made the world more accessible for us, and processes have gotten simpler. However, have you ever taken some time to wonder what effect it has on your body and mind?
Technology can have a devastating impact on your physical and mental well-being. If you use it too carelessly and without any bounds, you are bound to catch its strains and get affected by it negatively. For this reason, knowing some ways you can live well, physically and mentally, in this digital age is crucial. Below are some tips you can follow.
1. Give your eyes a break
Continuously straining your eyes by surrounding yourself with so many screens is bound to affect your health negatively. The reason is that these screens emit blue light, constant exposure to which can be harmful to our eyesight. It can lead to loss of vision or macular degeneration. Therefore, consider using these digital devices according to the screen time recommendations. But if you must work on the computer for a long time, take a five-minute break to recover the strain after 30 minutes. You can look out the window or stare at some object placed at a distance to help relieve the strain.
2. Get up and walk
May it be studying or working on the computer, you have to sit down for a long time at a time. Sitting down for hours at a time may seem like a harmless activity. But sitting down in one place for hours on end can pose risks to your health. The reason is that being inactive and sedentary for better hours of the day can lead to muscle stiffness, weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and heart diseases. Sitting in a poor posture for a long time can lead to back pain and neck pain.
But you can rectify this situation by taking a break every hour, so stand up, walk around, and stretch your body. You can also consider getting a standing desk to stay productive even while taking a break from sitting down. But our best recommendation is to walk away to do something else, as it will also give your eyes, body, and mind a break from screens.
3. Exercise
We understand that your hectic routine prevents you from dedicating too much time to yourself. However, neglecting your physical health will only lead to further complications down the road. Therefore, allocate some time for yourself every day or a few days out of the week to exercise and move your body. You can go for a walk, a jog, or even join an entertaining gym class to stay active and fit. It will not only improve your physical health but also help you feel confident and generally better in several other ways.
4. Avoid disrupting your sleep
Several studies have proven that using your mobile phone before bed can increase the chances of insomnia and also affect your sleep quality. Lack of proper sleep can lead to fatigue, trouble focusing, premature aging, and dark circles under your eyes. It also increases the risk of developing chronic health diseases. Moreover, if you surround yourself with screens after poor sleep, your eyes will have to strain themselves more than normal to function. For this reason, avoid disrupting your sleep by putting away your mobile phone or laptop at least an hour before your sleep time.
5. Be technology free for a day
One of the biggest issues that we’re facing in this digital age is that we must stay connected 24/7. There is no break when you access your work, information, contacts, or even for entertainment. But staying constantly connected to the world and your devices can lead to digital overload. To rectify this situation, people are now taking the initiative to unplug themselves from technology for some time. In most cases, going technology free for one day every week can be a breath of fresh air for you. Not only will it help you stay away from your devices, but it will also allow you to connect with the things and people around you and live in the moment.
Hence, there are several benefits of going technology free for some time. For example, you can charge your batteries, device, and yourself. You give undivided attention to your loved ones, enjoy nature more, and focus on something without getting distracted by screens. It will help you improve your physical and mental health.
6. Filter out the information
The digital age brought us the gift of unmeasurable information, but the information is also unfiltered and raw. That means a lot of information and data is reaching you that doesn’t contribute to your well-being or improve productivity. So if you want to lead a rewarding and fulfilling life, you must learn to control the flow of data and filter out the necessary information.
7. Focus on your priorities
All of us are guilty of checking our phones first thing in the morning. It doesn’t matter if you’re checking Instagram, catching up with emails, or checking the messages to see what you have missed. However, these behaviors are an indication of digital addiction. That means that not only are we addicted to our devices, but it is also controlling many aspects of our life.
But on the other hand, if you postpone it for a little while just so you can prioritize your health by having a nice cup of coffee, exercising, or eating a healthy breakfast first thing in the morning, your well-being will improve drastically. Therefore, reset your priorities to understand what aspects of your life require more attention than your devices.
Conclusion
We often see cartoon illustrations of how people are so consumed with their devices that they fail to notice the world around them. We may laugh and shrug it off, thinking it doesn’t apply to us. But it will apply to you unless you take an initiative to rectify the situation and turn your life around. Otherwise, your physical, mental, and emotional well-being will always remain at risk in this age of digitalization
