Unplug: Tips to Avoid Being a Digital Slave

Amy Taylor July 30, 2013

Yes they are very much helpful. In fact, some people couldn’t even live without them. We’re talking about computers, mobile phones, and other forms of technology. But just like all other good things, they have a downside too. According to the World Health Organisation, exposure to these computing devices may increase the risk of cancer, diabetes, brain tumour, chronic fatigue, autism, and even depression.

There’s no denying that technology has become part of the modern life. A US study of 2,000 college students found that one in ten people say they have a ‘full-blown’ addiction to mobile phones. This problem is not felt in the US alone. According to a poll conducted by Ofcom, 37 per cent of adults and 60 per cent of teenagers in the UK say they are highly addicted to smartphones. Over three-fourths of adults in Britain have mobile phones whilst more than half of teenagers have and 81 per cent of these people use their phones to make calls every day.

But not only does the technology put our health at risk. It also has negative effects on our well-being. According to John Edward Huth, a Harvard physics professor and author of an NY Times article ‘Losing Our Way in the World’, the internet may have greater effect on our sense of meaning than we realise. He said over-reliance on technology has a tendency to encourage people to isolate pieces of information without fitting them into a broader cognitive schema. Instead of being the receivers of wonders these technologies offer, many of us have become slaved by them.

So how do we get out from this ‘slavery’?

Build healthy habits.

Prioritising important things over the unimportant is easy if you make them a daily habit. For instance, waking early, exercising, and finishing at least three major tasks per day can be incorporated in your daily habit so you don’t need enough energy or motivation to do them all. This strategy also steers you away from distractions like checking unimportant emails and social media posts.

Apply the ‘first things first’ approach.

Tell yourself not to peek on your Facebook account until you have completed all the important things you have to do in a day. It’s also a great idea to do the tough tasks in the morning when you are most energised.

Get a digital detox.

"Maintaining a steady reservoir of energy -- physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually -- requires refuelling it intermittently” said Tony Schwartz, author of the book ‘What Really Matters: Searching for Wisdom in America’. Our brain is most active after it gets enough rest. If you overload your brain with information, like a computer, it starts to slow down and malfunction. Then you won’t be able to think as deeply. So taking small breaks during the day is essential if you want your brain to work at its optimal state. Numerous studies have tackled the positive effect of relaxation in our well-being and productivity. During day-offs and holidays, avoid doing anything that’s related to work. Avoid taking your lunch to your desk either. Giving time to recharge without the digital technology helps your mind and body to perform at their best.

Unplug a little.

Make this a challenge – give yourself an hour or two everyday to unplug all your electronic devices, including your laptop and if possible, your mobile phone (if it isn’t, put it face down and only answer important calls). Developing the tolerance to stay unplug for several hours helps you better engage to people or activities at a deeper level.

Turn off your email alarm.

Set a schedule each day to check your emails. When working, disable the ‘pop-up’ notification boxes that tell you about new emails. It allows you to better respond to those emails without disrupting important tasks.

Meditate.

Meditation helps you put more importance to the things that truly matter and learn how to avoid distractions. Sitting quietly and focusing your attention to your breathing gives you more time to focus on your inner self. It gives you peace of mind – something you couldn’t find when your brain is overloaded with varying thoughts.

Walk.

Surfing the web whilst walking is possible but it’s really uncomfortable. Apart from being a healthy routine, walking allows you to appreciate the beauty of things that surround you and focus more deeply in your thoughts. Put some music on whilst you walk.