Rethinking Your Technology

I think most of us know that technology is the most prevalent aspect of modern society. It's all around us! We are constantly being stimulated by computers, phones, MP3s, screens, and all sorts of electronic devices. When's the last time you checked your phone? I know it was probably only a few minutes ago for me. Being student as well we need to be constantly on the computer doing homework and assignments and it takes up a good part of our day just looking a screen non stop.

"We are now more wired than ever. Researchers from the University of Glasgow found that half of the study participants reported checking their email once an hour, while some individuals check up to 30 to 40 times an hour. An AOL study revealed that 59 percent of PDA users check every single time an email arrives and 83 percent check email every day on vacation" (WebMD).

All these devices are doing more harm than you may think. Having that constant stimulation can cause detrimental effect to our mental being. Some of the mental impacts relate to social capabilities and interactions. People who used their smart phones and devices a large amount were ones who experience the most influence. Heavy users of technology also could affect their physical health as well; headaches, insomnia, and stress are only some of the tolls that technology can cause harm. These habits can often lead to technology dependency and addiction...yes addiction. Just like anything else, too much of something can cause adverse impressions and prompt to fixation and reliance.

It's important to disconnect from technology can give your body as rest from continual use. Here is some great tips to help us all to control and manage a healthy device consumption!

• Experiment with short periods of inaccessibility. Your life won't implode, Ferriss says. "As with any addiction, there is a period of withdrawal and anxiety."
• Leave your cell phone and PDA at home one day a week. Saturday is a good day to cut off email and cell phone usage. "For most people, it will feel like a two-week vacation," Ferriss says. "The psychological recovery it offers is pretty unbelievable."
• Set a "not-to-do list." Don't check email before 10 a.m. to avoid immediate reactive mode, Ferriss suggests. Set intervals to check email, for example, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Use an auto-responder to explain that you can be reached any time on your cell phone.
• Eliminate rather than streamline whenever possible. Lose the RSS feeder, Ferriss says. "If you have an addictive impulse with tools, lose the tool," he says.
• Hire a virtual assistant. "A big part of priority management is teaching others tasks," he says. "A big part is getting over yourself. You don't have a superhuman email checking ability."
• Buddy up. Don't go it alone on the road to recovery, Hallowell says, because you're likely to revert to your old habits. Ask a colleague, administrative assistant, or spouse to help you enforce the new rules.
• Learn moderation. "I'm not anti-technology," Hallowell says. "Some is good for you, but too much is really, really bad."

source: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/when-technology-addiction-takes-over-your-life