Answer this question: Where is your cell phone right now? Is it in your hand as you read this? Is it right beside you? If you don’t know where it is, do you feel a twinge of panic? Another question: When was the last time you wrote a letter or a note more substantial than a grocery list? It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Yes, we live in a country where we panic if we can’t get a Wi-Fi signal, and that seems to be the way of modern society. We’ve become incredibly dependent on technology such as computers and smartphones. And while technology can in some cases save lives (as anyone in modern medicine can tell you, for example), in many other ways it stunts us. So what can you do about it?
- Allow yourself to digitally disconnect. Take a walk…and leave the phone on silent (or at home) and remove your earbuds so you can listen to the sounds of nature around you. Dedicate one night per week to stashing away all electronic devices and enjoy talking or playing a board game. Get in bed and read instead of watching TV. When you think back on your fondest memories, chances are pretty good that they don’t involve gathering around a screen of some kind. It’s important for our brains to literally and figuratively disconnect to gain a sense of calm and quiet…or make a real connection by having a face-to-face conversation.
- Separate work from home. If you work in an office, you likely have your face staring at a screen for a large portion of the day. Then, when you get home, you may spend another few hours using another screen, be it a TV, tablet, or smartphone (or some alluring combination of these in one device). Or perhaps you continue interacting with clients or colleagues as you check email from home. Even though we can make our work selves reachable at just about any time of day, that doesn’t mean we should allow it. Why not set boundaries: when we’re home, we’re home. The brain needs a rest from the screen in order to recharge for the next day.
- Too much technology is bad for your health. Our growing attachment to technology has led to sleep disorders, depression, stress, addiction, and injury. People stay online throughout the wee hours, not allowing their bodies the required down-time to rejuvenate through undisturbed sleep. Social media, the “highlight reel,” can incite feelings of jealousy and, ironically, isolation as people look at those whose lives seem better than theirs. Then there’s the phenomenon of physical injuries that occur from texting while walking – people with eyes glued to the screen walk right into traffic or bump into things because they’re not paying attention to their surroundings. Opt for real-life encounters, instead of limiting yourself to online exchanges.
- Be part of the real world. Those who only pay attention to their screens tend to have fewer true relationships and interactions. We’re a social species that thrives on real human interaction, not amassing hundreds of virtual “friends” and “followers.” When you focus on technology, you miss what’s actually happening in Life! We need to stop recording the live concert and actually use our ears and eyes to experience it. On the other hand, we also need solitude, and when the phone is constantly buzzing and pinging with updates, we don’t allow ourselves opportunity to simply revel in a quiet, restorative moment.
So before anyone points out the irony of reading this post on some kind of electronic device, turn it off. The “off” switch exists for more than battery conservation – give yourself a chance to recharge your own batteries by taking a digital vacation occasionally. You won’t regret it.
For related tips, read our blog posts or reach out to our experienced recruiting team at Medical Professionals today!
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