Mindfulness is an art, and achieving it in all areas of our life should be our greatest goal. In the digital and over-technologized age, we are under a lot of stress, sourced from the thing that was supposed to help us most: tech. Making a point of using technology only when necessary and only using the type of technology that truly benefits us should be the biggest goal people set today.
Let’s make it clear: technology is not inherently bad. In fact, it’s the biggest advantage of living in this day and time. But learning how to use it, makes a big difference when trying to achieve inner peace. The pieces of advice below will help you think differently about today’s innovations and advancements.
No screen time in the bedroom
Both children and adults should avoid installing TVs in their bedrooms. Also, they should avoid getting into bed with their smartphones or tablets. Screen time before going to sleep has been proven on multiple occasions to raise cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that apparently is activated when we are visually and auditory stimulated before going to bed. And you have guessed it, this is what smartphones and TV are best known for. When stressed, we are also more likely to show compulsive behaviors. This way, checking the smartphone or changing TV programs will keep you up later than usual.
Keep a traditional clock in the room for alarm
Phones today come with smart, intricate functions. They are holders of our entire lives and fun little things to play with. They also come with apps that are usually seen as a great addition to our lives. And alarm clocks are some of these. Let your smartphone deal with more complex tasks, but keep an inexpensive clock on your nightstand. This will prevent you from slipping back to sleep once the alarm runs off. Remember, traditional clocks can’t be snoozed, like your smartphone.
Stay away from notifications
We know what’s happening online at all times – we have notifications that remind us. As handy as many find social media and app notifications, they can lower life quality significantly. According to psychology experts, notifications activate anticipatory dopamine release and increase our urge to check our phones constantly. Our bodies will create a reward system where they release dopamine as soon as we check our phones.
Not only such mechanisms lower our productiveness levels, but they keep us from focusing on the important things in life. We become absorbed by technology and end up neglecting our mental and physical well-being. Besides, similar behavior can damage the relationships we have with our loved ones.
Embrace only apps and tech that make your life easier
We said it before: not all technology is bad. But learn how to discern between good and bad technology and applications. For instance, it’s incredible we live in the age where an industrial robotic arm can help us tackle some of the most physically demanding and time-consuming tasks in the workplace. However, we should avoid letting ourselves lost in social media and useless apps that only lower our productivity.
Extensive social media use not only prevents us from being productive, but it also has a series of negative psychological effects. Being exposed to others’ achievements and perfect lifestyle (as shown on social media) will make us frustrated with our own lives and achievements. It can lower self-esteem levels significantly, which can lead to more complex psychological implications in the future. Try to embrace the proper use of the following types of apps and technologies.
- Time management apps;
- Money management apps;
- Screen time management and tracking apps;
- Health apps and wearables.
Of course, there are many other useful pieces of technology you can embrace and integrate into your daily life, so do your fair share of research.
Grey-out your smartphone screen
We are visual creatures. We enjoy things that stimulate our minds through intricate, colorful imagery. While this is a huge achievement for the human race, it can be its downfall, as well.
Well, some smartphones today have scree grey-out functions. They turn your smartphone’s bright and colorful screen into black and white. This will make your device less appealing and stimulating. And fortunately for you, this is a great gateway to mindful use of technology. There are also some color filters you can apply to your device’s screen which have similar effects. Do your research and try to stay away from looking into the Internet void as much as possible.
Get used to boredom
People today have a low tolerance for boredom. This is one of the main reasons why we stick smart devices to our hands. But, in its essence, boredom is not bad. In fact, it can be just the thing we need at different times in our day. And it can stimulate creativity and inter-personal relations.
People today use screen time to distract themselves from boredom, but also from their internal struggles. For a healthy relationship with technology, we encourage you to seek closure with monotony and use it to grow your interpersonal relationships, social skills and explore your creative side.
Have a list of tech-less things you can do
If the Internet were to disappear tomorrow, we would have billions of people desperately trying to figure out what to do with their time. And this is far from having a mindful relationship with technology.
To create more balance into your life and view on tech, try to put together a list of activities you can do, without gluing your eyes to a screen. Hiking, playing with your kids, having a walk with your pet, everything does the trick. Try to practice these habits are frequently as possible, preferably after you come home from work. While in the workplace, tech is a huge aid, you want to give your mind a breather when you’re at home.
These simple adaptations will help you develop a better, healthier relationship with technology, but also with yourself.
