BY RÊVE
Technology has many positivities, most families are far away from each other so this way they can connect by FaceTime and other social media platforms, faraway family members are just a FaceTime session away.
Although too much technology, wether it's time spent on computers, smartphones or social media can have heavy consequences. Excessive technology use can take away time from activities, exercise, hobbies, sleep, or socialising, which are all extremely important for well-being.
There's no denying we're more plugged in than ever before, social media platforms opened so many job opportunities for people which can help us with working from home and being more flexible but it's not all rainbows and sunshine. Staring at our devices may be pleasurable in the moment, but pleasurable behaviours are also addictive.
How can you realise if your technology is influencing your life in a negative way? You'll know you're overdoing it if technology interferes with work, relationships, finances, mental and physical health...When something is consuming a lot of your thoughts and conditioning your behaviours, and when it is interfering with your life like your job and friendships, it may be time to consider cutting back on it's use and take a minute for yourself.
Thankfully, experts agreed that you don't have to break up with your phone completely - you just have to relax your obsessiveness on it. Here's the expert's guide for a healthier relationship with your tech/ BY RÊVE:
#1 PUT AWAY YOUR PHONE DURING MEALS
In the past few years it has become a common sight at restaurants: smartphone next to every single person's plate at the table. Even if we're not checking our phone, simply having it on the table during dinner, breakfast or lunch reduces the quality of interaction between people. Our brains are just waiting for it to light up and as a result we're not fully present.
#2 TURN OFF PUSH NOTIFICATIONS
Push notifications are one of the wort things that you can have turned on. Getting constant updates on what's happening in the world is information, yes - but it can be very distracting, if you're allowing yourself to get constantly interrupted five-ten times in an hour, you're never actually focused in that time. Just think about how many times during the day this happened to you.
#3 MAKE YOUR BEDROOM A NO TECH ZONE
I know, it's seems impossible because most people use their phones as an alarm clock in the morning. But when you reach for your smartphone to turn off the annoying alarm you will automatically start scrolling through social media and your morning can be easy ruined, so you will have to rush last minute at work or even forgetting to have breakfast because you will have to do it all in a rush. Just remember also this one thing: If you're getting cozy with your cell in bed, it's less likely you're getting cozy with your partner or with your puppy.
#4 DESIGNATE TECH-FREE HOURS DURING YOUR DAY
Breaks can reduce stress, particularly among heavy users. Many of us feel "naked" when we're without our devices, but taking breaks form technology can do wonders for our well being/ mental health. Start by designating certain time each day that's tech-free.
#5 PROTECT YOUR HEALTH/ BODY
To avoid eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 RULE. Following the rule, after 20 minutes of looking at the screen, you should look up at an object for 20 feet in the distance for 20 seconds. Don't forget to blink! -- Excessive texting can also cause "text neck" and "smartphone thumb". To avoid bending your neck, hold your phone higher so you can look at it straight on and avoid inflammation or irritation. To avoid thumb pain, mix up the way you type, using different fingers, above all, remember to take frequent breaks from your phone.
#6 ADJUST YOUR PHONE SETTINGS TO LIMIT CERTAIN APPS
As the BY RÈVE team, we all use Iphone/Mac products and Apple users can set limits with "screen time" and schedule downtime, when only phone calls or specific apps are allowed and selected apps have time limit on them. "Digital Wellbeing" works similarly for Google devices. According to analysis: people who didn't use these features were more likely to experience problematic smartphone use and worse well-being.
#7 CONSIDER REACHING OUT TO A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
We're all using technology constantly, and therefore it can be hard to always know the difference between having a problem or not. If you realise that your behaviours or feelings regarding technology or certain apps and sites being to interfere with your daily functioning, it may be time to reach out for a professional help, react before you arrive dealing with anxiety or depression because of technology.