The internet has undoubtedly revolutionised our communication channels, allowing us to maintain, or even strengthen our relationships whenever or wherever we are in the world. Yet despite these innovations of inter-connectivity, there has been an evident rise in the disconnection within human relationships, with many preferring to invest their time in the online space.
How to reconnect our disconnected society
Here are four easy ways of dialling-down our extensive digital habits.
· Embrace the outdoors
Instead of seeking technology as a distraction to pass the time, alternative activities like taking a walk or participating in outdoor sports can prove to be an effective and healthy option. Providing ourselves with some peace of mind during the day can allow our brains to relax and re-focus, which can significantly improve our productivity and creativity.
· Unplug and turnoff
Studies have shown that exposure to lights displayed on our electronic devices can hinder the
production of our brain’s sleeping hormone, making it harder to fall asleep. Using our devices late at night for long periods of time not only strains our eyes but can cause many negative long-termimpactsto our health and well-being, including depression and sleeping disorders.
As a result, experts recommend setting a technology bed-time two hours prior to sleep to enable our brain to wind down and relax, allowing us to better enjoy a good night’s rest.
· Meet and engage
As social media can help fulfil our natural need to feel connected to people, we can ironically become attached to it which reduces our chances at initiating interpersonal relations. Adding to this, a recent study from Ofcom found that 70% of millennials aged between 16 to 24 preferred texting to talking. This is further reiterated by a researcher at the University of Michigan for Social Research,who states that if “everyone is stuck to their screens; they’re not going to be interacting with other people around them. Are people going to be losing their social skills because they just don’t interact with other people, especially strangers?”
It’s important to experience interesting encounters with strangers as well as maintain existing relationships. Who knows if we’re stopping ourselves from learning about new things or opportunities that come our way?
· Live the reality
On average, individuals check their phones 200 times a day whilst Pew Research studiesclaim that the many options our devices have to offer often distract us from our current environment. Now more than ever must we learn to put our smartphones down and give people our full, undivided attention.
These approaches remind ourselves that enjoying living in the moment is just as important as maintaining our online presence. Technology can bring about countless positive benefits, but just like everything, should be used in moderation. In the digital age where there is a lack of boundaries, it is our job to dictate the level of technological intrusion we allow into our lives.