#20 : Digital Diet is possible

 

Digital Diet is possible

On an average, we people spend 2-3 hours a day on our phones, while in the pre-smartphone era that number was just 18 minutes. And research tells the average person checks email 74 times a day and switches tasks on their computer 566 times a day. Similarly, according to a study adults spend on an average 11hrs on Screen, which includes phones, laptops and TV. While children spend around 6.5 hrs on screen.

   We have a problem here, instead of improving our lives, technology is increasingly getting in the way of enjoying our lives. Our addiction to screen is damaging health more than other ways. 65% reports, symptoms of digital eye strain, which includes Blurred vision, dry eyes, neck, back pain and headache.  Screen and smartphones emit blue light it contains more energy than warm cloths, which can damage retina and can cause loss of vision.

     Constant Phone usage disrupts our lives and relationships. We are now used to phubbing and making people irritate around us, who matter more than this phone. Technology was to assist us, now we are addicted to it. We don’t care of people around us but we are very busy and taking care of all our screen items and are so engrossed to it that we ignore our family, near and dear ones which matter most to us.

Albert Einstein has once rightly feared “I fear the day technology will surpass our human interaction, the world will have generations of idiots “. We are exactly in this phase of generation, where technology is surpassing the interactions. We are now showing emotions via Emoji’s, Laughter, Hugs, Kisses, anger all via these. We are becoming so anti-social that we want to be alone with our digital devices to survive.

 Consciously / Unconsciously we are making our environment also more conducive to phone usage, Like free Wi-Fi, free data. So, if these are all free, quite possible to get addicted. Technology around us is so connected that you cannot get rid of same, we all wireless technology around us, that without that we cannot imagine world around us.

             How do we come out from all this?   As, when we have overdose we go on dieting, so we need to put our self on Digital diet.

             Few years ago  I tried this, I had a reason also to do so as my elder son was in XIIth Standard. I Cut of the TV connection and now it is total TV blackout at our home. It was very difficult to take such decision, as if, we were addicted. We were not able to accept this fact but its truth, we were anxious. (Same may happen if we take away your phones even for day). But gradually as time passed we got used to it and now thankfully we have so much time for family, reading, family walks, lunches etc...   Digital Diet is possible. From last 3-4 years months, no TV for me ( or very limited to movies etc .)  and I don’t feel any need now. Recently as results of various exams were out, one thing was quite common among the toppers that they were Sans Mobile devices or smart phones, because that was the cause of distraction.

 Some other important things for this which can be pursued:

1.  Cut back gradually on phone usage. As if you suddenly reduce, it may not happen.
2.  Set aside screen free time, like Bedtime, Mealtime, family time, weekends. This will help you get more time back to you for your spending with your family and to yourself.
3. Only responds to emails /SMSs on fixed times. This is must for all people working in office, as due constant incoming emails you cannot concentrate on work.
4. Turnoff all email / Social media notifications on your phone. This is again must have habit to avoid distractions. Whatever you want to check you go and check explicitly, not via notifications, as they are constantly coming.
5. Ask for Support if needed; We may be suffering from FOMO (Fearing of Missing Out), Always wanted to be connected or Online or reachable, need to know 1^st like Breaking News. This is very prevalent phobia around of missing our and quite common among youngsters. So, seek help from elders / friends, try some Yoga /meditation / vacation without devices.
6.  Implement Use of "stopping rule": Ever said you're going to "just check your phone really quick" -- and then an hour goes by?  You check email, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram... And by the time you're done all that, it's time to check email, WhatsApp’s, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram again. You may call this your "happy place." Researchers call it a "ludic loop."  The "ludic loop" is this idea that when you're engaged in an addictive experience.

So, taking time, away from your device, could help your relationship and boost your health.

So, Detoxify ASAP before it spreads and you are addicted or victim of same.