HEALTH REPORT
Switch OFF!
D uring these devices more than ever – is it time for a digital detox? Technological advances have provided us with some important gifts, including increased connection and access to information. However, just as eating too much of the wrong foods can damage our bodies, overdosing on screen time can harm our health and wellbeing – disrupted sleep, thanks to exposure to backlit screens at night, plus dry scratchy eyes and poor posture are just a few of the possible physical health side effects of technology overload. COVID-19 times we are glued to our There is also growing research to suggest that too much technology causes mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and mood swings. Constantly scanning information online is altering our ability to pay attention. For example, we no longer find it easy or natural to focus on simply reading a book, and we will look for other stimuli at the same time. Not only does this dilute the reading experience, but it undermines our ability to concentrate on complex tasks and to break tasks down into a step-by-step process. Then there is ‘the Google effect’ - the fact that we know answers are always
yourself. How you fill these time slots is up to you – tried-and-true ideas include spending time in nature, taking a walk in a park or on the beach, practising yoga or meditation, talking with a trusted friend, reading uplifting material, taking a warm scented bath and pottering in the garden. Choose one day a week to go completely offline, and shut off your phone and computer. Consider booking yourself in for a retreat at a spa or health resort to clear your mind and reset. 3 Commit to real-time: Face-to-face conversation and voice connection provide important information to all the people involved, which is not present in Facebook posts, emails or text messages. When nonverbal cues like tone of voice, facial expression and body posture are absent, it makes misinterpretation of the message more likely. Be deliberate about making time to see friends and family in person, or at least to speak on the phone. 4 Take a break: A paradox of
at our fingertips discourages us from the effort of retaining information because we can just look it up again. The Go Vita experts have put together this handy 7-step guide to having a digital detox, so that you can unplug, recharge and reclaim control. 1 Set limits: Put daily reminders on your phone, iPad or computer to check in with how you’re doing with respect to stress and fatigue levels and overall exposure time. Always log off at least
There is growing research to suggest that too much technology causes mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and mood swings.
one hour before bedtime and use that hour to meditate or read. 2 Prioritise self-care: Diarise time slots in every day which will be absolutely technology-free and use them to nurture
technology is that although it has the potential to connect us more than ever before in history, it is also making us feel less
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ISSUE 59 • 2020
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