Technology has its advantages. But, like every other good thing, it also has its disadvantages. Gadgets make connecting easier, allow for accomplishing tasks at record time, and access information effortlessly. In short, people are more productive because of technology. In theory, that is.
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According to the director of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, David Greenfield Ph.D., with technology at their beck and call, people have no down time. Ironically, the faster and longer they go with technology, the less productive they become. People strain their eyes, have inadequate sleep, and are usually obese because of a sedentary lifestyle, and have increased health risks, including cancer.
The solution is to detox from technology every now and then. Here are ways to do it:
- Make a daily to-do list for things that don’t involve technology. Dr. Greenfield, who also happens to be an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of Connecticut, says that many people suffer from anxiety and technology addiction. A survey published in Computers in Human Behavior linked student anxiety and dissatisfaction to frequent use of their phones. Phones alert people about calls, messages, Tweets, posts, and updates which are usually unimportant. In effect, they’re vigilant 24/7. Socialize more with warm people, and do less virtual networking.
- Do more meet-ups; move around. Technology encourages physical inactivity. Run a mile, do some gardening. A study conducted by researchers at Kent State University shows that the more individuals use their cellphones, the less fit they become.
- Use an alarm clock instead of your phone to wake you up in the morning. Don’t keep the phone under the sheets or the pillow because the light emitted disturbs the body’s normal sleep cycle and natural clock. It’s best to keep phones, laptops, tablets, and computers in a different room while you sleep.
- Use speaker phones or hands-free options when taking long-duration calls. While it’s yet to be conclusively proven, there are studies that associate radio waves from cellphones to increased risk of cancer.
- Make a habit of blinking often when exposed to a digital device screen for prolonged periods. The screen’s glare increases eyestrain, itching and burning, and dry eyes. Practice the 20-20-20 habit, which means looking at something located 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and do this every 20 minutes. After 2 hours in front of the computer, take a 15-minute break to drink water, go to the rest room, take a walk, or pump your legs.
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