Social media, screens, and apps are always all around us. And by the time you realize it, you have been sitting there for hours at the end. For most of us, our devices have become an integral part of our work, learning, or associating with people. But this exposure to screens may yet turn out to be the worst enemy.
It can create tension, sleep disorders, and even break relationships apart. So, what’s the balance, you might wonder? Recently, I met an old friend at one of the hangout places in jp nagar. We spoke much about how one could maintain a healthy balance with the digital world.
Here are some few simple tips on staying connected while at the same time keeping yourself healthy:
1. Boundary for Screen Time
Setting up boundaries is essentially. This is because, you can easily get distracted by scrolling or watching something, and literally hours go by. So, set specific times you are going to use your mobile phone, tablet, or computer.
You could also set screen-free times during meals or before bed. If you set some boundaries in your life, you could find time to do things you would like to do. Now, this can include reading or spending time with family and friends.
2. Take Breaks Regularly
Majority of us end up staying in front of the screen almost throughout the day. Instead, remember to take small breaks. It relieves your eyes. What’s more, it also gives your mind a break.
Of course, stretching, walking, or simply standing up from your seat for a few minutes does the trick as well. Small breaks refresh the body and mind alike. They give way to concentration when you return to your screen.
3. Enforce Device-Free Zones
Creating specific device-free zones around your house can be a great idea! Maybe it can be your bed, or your dining table, which remain screen-free. That will improve your sleep and enhance your dining experience.
But when your devices are around you, you may never really know that you are “always on.” A device-free zone helps in creating clear boundaries between work or online time and relaxation.
4. Being Mindful of Social Media Use
Social media is one of the best ways to make connections with people online. However, it also leads to comparison and stress at the same time. It is very easy to compare your life with others who are posting it. Remember most people share only their good moments, not the challenges.
Pay attention to how the presence of social media feels in your life. If some accounts, for example, are making you feel badly, then perhaps it is not suitable to follow them. Instead, concentrate your mind on accounts that will provoke inspiration at least joy.
5. Practice Digital Detox Days
A digital detox simply means you have no use of any sort of screens. Perhaps you can attempt a digital detox once in a week, say on Sundays. Or even pick a weekend for a month and remain screen-free. And in a digital detox, you concentrate on things offline.
You have more time to read, reconnect with nature, or do your hobby minus the screens. Digital detox days can refresh you. It reminds you that life can be enjoyed while not always being online.
6. Support Health via Technology
And, of course, technology is helpful to health. There are thousands of applications that could support fitness, meditation, and healthy eating. They are useful in tracking goals and progress as well as discovering new habits, etc. Moreover, some can also be helpful for sleep and relaxation.
But, keep in mind too many health-related applications on your phone can be a source for stress. Thus, use only the tools to help you to get well, and not create more pressure.
7. Be Intentional with Notifications
Notifications can be a major distraction! Say your messages, emails, or other apps constantly pings with each notification. Then, you lose your focus. Hence, it is now time to determine which notifications are truly important. Then, plug out the ones that are irrelevant. In that way, you work on tasks minus distractions.
However, you may enjoy reading messages and emails at certain times rather than responding to every alert. Intentional notifications put you in control of your time and attention.
8. Quality Time Offline with Your Loved Ones
Connect with loved ones and friends. In the real world, you can have interactions, which allow for much deeper relationships. Do make regular dates. You can go somewhere to eat, go for a walk, or play a game. This makes memories and deepens connections.
Digital communications can be very handy, but it will never replace real-life interaction. Do try to put your phone away when you are with other people. Show interest, listen. That makes your relationships more valuable and stronger.
9. No screens at bedtime
Screen Time before bed does disrupt sleeping. The blue light emitted from screens unsettles the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Your body can find it hard to fall asleep, or you just have lousy sleep.
It is important to use any screen time at least an hour before bedtime. During this time, you can read a book or practice deep breathing. Better sleep will surely help your mood, concentration, and the energy you will have tomorrow.
10. Be Kind to Yourself
Indeed, we spend a lot of our lives online. That’s just life these days. But don’t get too hard on yourself when you’re on your phone all the time or mindlessly scrolling. That is the point-balancing it out, but not trying to be perfect.
Take mini steps to build a healthy relationship with the digital world. Moreover, it’s okay if you fail in the process. You can always get back up again and try harder this time! Change is slow sometimes. In fact, sometimes it’s those teeny-weeny ripples that create really big waves in time!
Why Healthy Digital Relationship Matter
Technology today has become part of life. You cannot run from technology, but you can control how to use it. You can live a healthy life, if you can enjoy technology and avoid the strain in the process.
By setting limits and using technology mindfully, one can improve their well-being. In fact, then one can find more time for things they love. You are given an opportunity to have technology as your support and not the other way around.
Conclusion
Thus, it is possible to build a healthy relationship with the digital world. It is only by setting some limits, in this case, taking breaks and using it purposefully. Then, we can make the best of both worlds. Sometimes, it is just these small changes that contribute significantly to improvements in our everyday lives.
Remember, technology is a tool. If you use it wisely, it can improve your quality of life. The digital world is yours to explore and embrace, and not for you to be controlled by it. Hence, balance is the key to living well in a digital age!
