See “What can you do?” at the end of each section for suggestions.
Technology is wonderful-for education, sharing knowledge, business, and connecting with people you otherwise could not. However, the way we use it is not always in our best interest-for relationships, for our mental health, for productivity. We are always on, yet disconnected from reality, our concentration fragmented.
Nature
It is not surprising that more and more people are stressed, experiencing symptoms of mental illness or unable to focus.
Modern life has made us become so disconnected from natural environment. We live in environments humans were not built for. We live in crowded cities full of unnatural sounds, noise and shapes that do not exist in nature. There are fewer plants, flowers and trees, and the air and water is often polluted. Light is available 24/7 allowing us to stay awake for longer. People spend most of the time indoors, have stressful jobs, and technology has become a constant part of our daily lives.
What can you do? Plan time outdoors in nature or a park-be present, turn your phone off, enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. Schedule time to get quality sleep in a completely dark, silent room with minimal or no technology. Never ever use “snooze”.
Entertainment
A lot of modern entertainment is lived through screens, which give you the ability to escape reality at any moment. There is nothing wrong with entertainment, but if you are using entertainment to escape reality on a regular basis, something is wrong.
What can you do? Consider more traditional forms of entertainment that do not involve any tech. Consider putting more attention on relaxation is not dependent on technology. Consider replacing some entertainment with learning something, or doing something you enjoy that is creative or productive.
Social Media
Social media puts pressure on everyone to live a lie. Most people only post the best and often inflated version of their life, yet we still compare ourselves to people we perceive as living a better life and feel bad that we do not measure up. We have been set unrealistic standards of what a good life should be.
Most of what you see on social media has been filtered, edited or selected carefully so you are not seeing reality. When was the last time you posted the first thing that came into your head unedited? Spoken words can be forgotten, but text remains for all to see and comment on. Would you speak like that in real life?
What can you do? Think about your social media use. How much do you use it? How does it make you feel? Are you being emotionally affected by the comments or images? Consider deleting it or reducing the time spent using it, how you use it, and who and what you are looking at.
Connection
Humans need connection-to our environment (nature) and to each other. Even introverts need social interaction. Social media and messaging have given us the illusion of social connection. Since phones became smart they go everywhere with us. Instead of giving our undivided attention to each other, we have fragmented or no conversation looking down at our phones. Meaningful connections are missed or lost.
What can you do? Intentionally set aside time to spend with loved ones and friends where possible and do not use your phone during this time. Switch the phone or notifications off. If you are unable to physically meet loved ones, tech can be a positive if it is used only for meaningful communication such as video/voice calling.
Distraction!
People are distracted. The ability to focus on tasks or each other is reducing as people jump back and forth between reality and the screen world. This is really destructive for work, business and relationships.
A meaningful conversation is lost as we look down. A walk in nature is spoilt by a notification bell. The atmosphere at a gig is lost as people view it through their screens. Children are ignored in favour of the screen, so they learn to copy this behaviour. They have lower concentration spans and reduced social skills as a result.
We are physically present but mentally absent. Phones are drugs and most people are addicted.
What can you do? Note your tech usage (especially your phone)-why/how often/when? Consider no-phone zones-limiting the locations and situations that you carry or use your phone, or switch it off. Examples of locations and situations include the bathroom, the bedroom, when you are with a loved one and when you are working or doing something important. Switch off notifications and check emails once or twice a day. If it is really important, they will find you.
Do not let using your phone be the first thing you do after waking up. Do the most important things early in the day and think about what times you are least distracted. Early morning works for some people. If you have children-when are they asleep? Use those times to get those things done.
Knowledge is power
Recognising all of this gives you power to take control of and improve your life. As with everything, use tech in moderation. You have a choice. Once time is spent, you will never get it back. We need to learn to appreciate what we have right now.
Regain your focus. Reconnect with your environment and your loved ones.
Would you add anything to this? Comment below.
thejourneyx 