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Our dependence on technology has skyrocketed during the pandemic. The application analysis company App Annie found that people were spending around 4 hours and 18 minutes per day on mobile devices in April 2020. This is a 20% increase over the previous year, which equates to an additional 45 minutes per day of working time. screen.
Research shows that there is nothing wrong with spending more time on screens, especially right now. Besides the benefits of connecting with friends, family and colleagues, turning to technology can help us dealing with difficult emotions and even reduce stress.
However, not all screen times are created equal. Some online activities carry some risk. Spend long periods of time passively browsing social media, for example, is linked a greater feeling of loneliness and loneliness, and a higher risk of depression.
So what should we be doing in the coming months to ensure that our relationship with technology remains as healthy and constructive as possible at a time when we all depend on it?
It is far too simplistic to tell us that we will reduce our use of technology.
The answer depends somewhat on your own inclinations. You might be the type of person who feels soothed and inspired after spending half an hour curating themed boards on Pinterest – but mindless scrolling on Instagram for the same amount of time can make you tired and irritable.
Regardless of who you are, however, I believe we can all benefit from a more deliberate approach to how we spend our screen time. Our goal should be to find our personal technological balance. Recognize that what works best for you may not be what works for everyone.
Here are some of the ways we can change our behaviors and mindset to achieve better balance in the weeks and months to come.
Develop your awareness. It’s hard to change behaviors when you don’t know what they look like. A good place to start is to track where you spend your screen time using an app, like Momentor your phone’s built-in tools. Remember, tracking alone isn’t enough – you need to check these stats regularly.
Registration is important because studies suggest we tend to underestimate the time we spend scrolling and sweeping. The follow-up will give you some perspective and give you an idea of ​​the changes you may want to make.
I also suggest doing regular “mood checks” every few hours whenever you’re online. When we scroll, it’s often difficult to know which conversation, app, or Twitter thread has colored our mood. By consciously educating yourself, you can better understand what triggers bad feelings and decide what activities to avoid or remember in the future.
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