Even as some of us have transitioned back to in-person or hybrid work since the beginning of the pandemic, technology remains central to our daily lives. For many of us, technology can be both a blessing and a curse. While it is can be convenient to be able to access one another at a moment’s notice and to disseminate information broadly, it can be easy to ignore what impact using technology has on wellness.
How has technology affected your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing? Consider these
questions:
- How much time are you on your devices each day? What applications on your phone or computer do you use the most?
- How does your body feel when you use technology, be it your phone, laptop, or other device? Are there parts of your body that feel strained? Tense? Numb? Check in with how your body is feeling right now as you are reading this blog post.
- How does receiving an email or text affect your mood and/or level of stress? Do you feel the need to check your phone or inbox each time you receive a notification? What kinds of thoughts go through your head?
- Do you think about checking your email during hours when you are not working? How frequently does this happen? How does that affect your life outside of work?
- How do you feel during Zoom or Teams meetings?
- How is your level of sleep affected by your technology use, if at all?
If you find that you experience a sense of unwellness because of technology use, whether because it strains your eyes, gives you anxiety, or affects your sleep, consider setting boundaries in your technology use. The following article by Abby De La Merced of Remedy Psychiatry discusses differences among porous, overly rigid, and healthy boundaries with technology. Consider if you identify with any of the examples of boundaries, and see if implementing any of the suggested strategies impacts the way that you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically, day to day.
https://remedypsychiatry.com/setting-boundaries-with-technology/
The below article from Ten Percent Happier details the freedom that can be found in taking a step back from technology and into your body, holding your emotional well-being with awareness and compassion.
https://www.tenpercent.com/meditationweeklyblog/freedom-from-the-infinite-scroll