“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”
— Christian Lous Lange (Historian & Nobel Laureate)
Poor digital habits might not strike as harmful on their face, but can leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or simply unmotivated sometimes. You try relaxing by binge-watching TV shows or scrolling through social media but end up at the opposite end of relaxation. This signifies the impact of digital habits on your physical and mental well-being.
The younger generation is suffering immensely due to this. Research says university students use their smartphones 4-6 hours daily, mostly for social media (73.1%).
This guide tries to turn around the regressing ship of digital habits and reach for a refreshed and recharged self.
The ideal time period allowed online for healthy living is around 2-4 hours. But the average daily time spent online is much higher. Excessive usage can contribute to anxiety, stress, fatigue, and a negative perception of yourself. Usually, the following effects are seen in people who spend the majority of their time online:
ALARMING FINDING
Research says excessive social media use harms mental well-being and reduces sleep quality.
People like to stay connected at all times, whether at a resort abroad or on a walk. At home, having unlimited internet access is recommended to avoid any issues, especially when working from home. At the same time, unlimited connectivity gives you the opportunity to sell that data through an internet data-selling app. Such opportunities are available through Honeygain, which pays you for sharing unused internet bandwidth. So, having unlimited internet at home is usually non-negotiable, especially if you have multiple individuals and devices connecting.
However, when you go outside, you should not prioritize browsing and scrolling. Of course, pure dedication might not work. So, a more daring decision is to cut down on your mobile data allowance. Its effects can be indirectly beneficial to you and your well-being, as you won’t be as willing to turn to your phone for entertainment. Instead, you’ll hopefully find more meaningful options.
Digital recreation comes in many forms, and you can be online without even realizing it. Listening to podcasts or YouTube videos might seem harmless, but they also contribute to your excessive screen time. Sooner or later, you might notice that you cannot wash dishes or perform other menial activities without your phone blaring something. It signals a problem of struggling to stay alone with your thoughts.
One foe of changing your habits is a lack of structure and routine in your schedule. Instead of having no goals for the day, try creating a loose routine you can easily follow. For example, start using an actual calendar or a real notebook to write down your tasks for the day. Try to include activities that reduce your digital fatigue while keeping the day full of fun. Most of them shouldn’t involve sitting behind a screen, of course.
Spending less time online is surely a healthier approach to digital habits. But it doesn’t mean you cut out the good online time and instead waste those precious 2-4 hours browsing social media carelessly. So, even if your screen time falls within the recommended range, it doesn’t mean it has any positive impact on your well-being. Even if you spend, say, 3 hours online, the time doesn’t go to waste if the activity is meaningful and fulfilling. For instance, you can go on to take an online course or even listen to a history podcast instead of one with little substance.
Digital routines develop over time, and we might not even notice how spending an hour away from our phone becomes unbearable. Taking control of the situation and recognizing that you have a potential issue should be the first step. However, just shaming yourself over excessive screen time and stopping there is not the answer: take responsibility, but don’t make yourself feel bad. Find empowerment by showing yourself that you can make a change, even if each step is tiny and takes time.
Digital burnout can lead to tired eyes, frequent headaches, poor sleep, trouble focusing, and feeling anxious or irritable when away from your devices.
Limit social media and try getting more sleep. Also include exercise, long-form reading, and boredom in your routine.
Reduce screen time, take regular breaks for eye relief, and set time- and place-bound limits for device usage.
