Digital wellbeing is a term used to describe the impact that technologies and digital services have on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. On an individual level, it is the state of personal wellbeing one experiences through the use of electronic tools, systems, devices and resources.
TECHNOLOGY IS EVER MORE INTEGRAL TO THE THINGS THAT WE DO
Overuse of screens and handheld devices, and the expectation that we need to be available 24 hours a day, not only impacts our physical health, resulting in medical issues such as digital eye strain, headaches and fatigue but it also affects our mental health with an increased risk of conditions such as depression, low self-esteem and anxiety. Our emotional wellbeing is impacted too as it distracts us from the things that matter most to us.
Promoting a healthy use of technology will proactively help you to maintain positive mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Digital wellness is defined by sociologists Marco Gui, Marco Fasoli and Roberto Carradore as “a state where subjective well-being is maintained in an environment characterized by digital communication overabundance.”
The ability to navigate this crazy environment of technology and emerge with “a sense of comfort, safety, satisfaction and fulfillment” is what ultimately determines our digital wellness.
We can achieve this through making mindful decisions regarding our relationship and interactions with technology.
Life has its fair share of stressors. How we perceive our life stress and how we manage the resulting emotions can have a significant effect on our mental health.
Unfortunately, it can be all too easy to take to technology and social media to cope with this stress in ways that are hurt our overall well-being. Difficulties managing our emotions have been linked by research to increased levels of smartphone use, internet gaming disorder and unhealthy social media use.
So, if you notice a big uptick in your time spend gaming or mindlessly surfing the web, it may be a good time to check in with your emotional needs.
However, it isn’t all bad news when discussing the link between technology and our emotions. It is possible to use our technology to our emotional advantage. Research has shown that social media can act as a buffer against the impact of geographical isolation and loneliness.
Remember: it’s our relationship with and how we use technology that matters! When we engage in supportive interactions using online technology, we are less likely to feel depressed. Additionally, the internet is often one of the first accessed resources when seeking emotional help and education. We can use technology to make a positive impact not only on ourselves, but the community around us as well!
For better or worse, social media is heavily engrained into the landscape of many peoples’ digital well-being. When you’re on social media, your brain is doing a very important job—comparing yourself to what you see.
According to the Social Comparison Theory, this comparison plays a significant role in self image and subjective well-being. We can compare ourselves upward to someone we see as better than ourselves, downward to someone we see as inferior, or laterally to someone we see as an equal. When we approach these comparisons with a negative mindset, we see higher rates of depression.
If you feel like your online interactions are mostly negative, it may be time to take a break.
How we compare ourselves to others is what’s important—but it’s not all bad! Recent research has shown it is also possible to draw inspiration from upward comparison, giving us a boost to our self-concept. We also rate our own abilities as greater when we maintain a friendship with someone who we compare upwardly to. Our relationship with online technology has real impacts on our relationships in real life. Try to make your online interactions just as positive as the interactions in your day-to-day.
It’s important to incorporate breaks into your schedule if you have a job that requires a lot of computer time. During your downtime, practise breathing techniques and mindfulness to promote present-moment awareness and mental clarity. You can also incorporate stretching exercises to correct postural issues.
All screens emit light that can disrupt your sleep. Take a screen break before bedtime and switch your phone off, so you won’t be woken by messages. Let your friends know that this is what you do, so they won’t be surprised when they don’t get a reply until morning.
Uninstall or restrict access to any applications that encourage aimless scrolling or prolonged screen time. Making it less convenient to access your social media profiles gives you time to evaluate your decision before logging on. Use tools such as Google’s Digital Wellbeing, screen-time monitors and focus modes to set daily use limits for apps and reduce distractions.
Living in the most connected era has its perks, but excessive technology use has consequences. With many of our everyday activities now taking place online, it’s easy to become dependent on technology for amusement and communication. This can prevent us from living in the moment and cause feelings of melancholy, anxiety and isolation, among others. It’s not surprising that many opt for a digital detox: a deliberate break from digital engagement.
Technology robs our brains of the downtime they need to process information, which is why it’s so important to give our minds the rest they need. A totally tech-free lifestyle might not be feasible for most. However, to counteract the detrimental consequences of excessive screen time and digital overload, we must take a thoughtful and balanced approach.
Overuse of screens and handheld devices, and the expectation that we need to be available 24 hours a day, not only impacts our physical health, resulting in medical issues such as digital eye strain, headaches and fatigue but it also affects our mental health with an increased risk of conditions such as depression, low self-esteem and anxiety. Our emotional wellbeing is impacted too as it distracts us from the things that matter most to us.
Promoting a healthy use of technology will proactively help you to maintain positive mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Digital wellness is defined by sociologists Marco Gui, Marco Fasoli and Roberto Carradore as “a state where subjective well-being is maintained in an environment characterized by digital communication overabundance.”
The ability to navigate this crazy environment of technology and emerge with “a sense of comfort, safety, satisfaction and fulfillment” is what ultimately determines our digital wellness.
We can achieve this through making mindful decisions regarding our relationship and interactions with technology.
Life has its fair share of stressors. How we perceive our life stress and how we manage the resulting emotions can have a significant effect on our mental health.
Unfortunately, it can be all too easy to take to technology and social media to cope with this stress in ways that are hurt our overall well-being. Difficulties managing our emotions have been linked by research to increased levels of smartphone use, internet gaming disorder and unhealthy social media use.
So, if you notice a big uptick in your time spend gaming or mindlessly surfing the web, it may be a good time to check in with your emotional needs.
However, it isn’t all bad news when discussing the link between technology and our emotions. It is possible to use our technology to our emotional advantage. Research has shown that social media can act as a buffer against the impact of geographical isolation and loneliness.
Remember: it’s our relationship with and how we use technology that matters! When we engage in supportive interactions using online technology, we are less likely to feel depressed. Additionally, the internet is often one of the first accessed resources when seeking emotional help and education. We can use technology to make a positive impact not only on ourselves, but the community around us as well!
For better or worse, social media is heavily engrained into the landscape of many peoples’ digital well-being. When you’re on social media, your brain is doing a very important job—comparing yourself to what you see.
According to the Social Comparison Theory, this comparison plays a significant role in self image and subjective well-being. We can compare ourselves upward to someone we see as better than ourselves, downward to someone we see as inferior, or laterally to someone we see as an equal. When we approach these comparisons with a negative mindset, we see higher rates of depression.
If you feel like your online interactions are mostly negative, it may be time to take a break.
How we compare ourselves to others is what’s important—but it’s not all bad! Recent research has shown it is also possible to draw inspiration from upward comparison, giving us a boost to our self-concept. We also rate our own abilities as greater when we maintain a friendship with someone who we compare upwardly to. Our relationship with online technology has real impacts on our relationships in real life. Try to make your online interactions just as positive as the interactions in your day-to-day.
It’s important to incorporate breaks into your schedule if you have a job that requires a lot of computer time. During your downtime, practise breathing techniques and mindfulness to promote present-moment awareness and mental clarity. You can also incorporate stretching exercises to correct postural issues.
All screens emit light that can disrupt your sleep. Take a screen break before bedtime and switch your phone off, so you won’t be woken by messages. Let your friends know that this is what you do, so they won’t be surprised when they don’t get a reply until morning.
Uninstall or restrict access to any applications that encourage aimless scrolling or prolonged screen time. Making it less convenient to access your social media profiles gives you time to evaluate your decision before logging on. Use tools such as Google’s Digital Wellbeing, screen-time monitors and focus modes to set daily use limits for apps and reduce distractions.
Living in the most connected era has its perks, but excessive technology use has consequences. With many of our everyday activities now taking place online, it’s easy to become dependent on technology for amusement and communication. This can prevent us from living in the moment and cause feelings of melancholy, anxiety and isolation, among others. It’s not surprising that many opt for a digital detox: a deliberate break from digital engagement.
Technology robs our brains of the downtime they need to process information, which is why it’s so important to give our minds the rest they need. A totally tech-free lifestyle might not be feasible for most. However, to counteract the detrimental consequences of excessive screen time and digital overload, we must take a thoughtful and balanced approach.
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