Easier or More Stressful?
Everywhere you go; people are glued to technology like what
is now called the Crack berry. Life is getting busier and people are more
stressed out than ever before. While technology is able to make our lives
easier, the misuse of technology is what's causing stress. For example, high
speed internet helps you to obtain important information is seconds. Yet,
getting sucked into spending hours on the computer in the black hole of the
internet leads to stress from technology that is steadily increasing. In spite
of the risk of finding yourself stressed from abuse of technology, you need not
return to the ice age. There are things that can be done to keep technology
from ruling your life.
Symptoms of Stress from Technology
Yes, it's easy to get sucked in to spending endless hours
wrapping yourself in technology. Surfing the web, chatting it up for hours on
Twitter or Facebook, and watching one YouTube video after another are examples.
This overuse of technology can cause problems like headaches, eye problems, and
sleep deprivation. These physical symptoms lead to a backlog of
responsibilities, a breakdown of family relationships and poor performance on
the job. So how do you fix it so that technology isn't ruling your life?
Determine what's best for your life
Just because the latest technological gadget is made
available for sale, doesn't mean you have to buy it. What works for one
person's life doesn't mean it will work for yours. One family may find having a
DVR indispensable because they can more readily control what their children are
watching on television. In another case, a single male may find having a DVR
enabling him to become a couch potato. Some people's lives are made easier with
iPhones. Others find that this latest form of telephone technology causes them
undue stress. So, before investing in the latest and greatest new technology,
determine if it will fit in with your lifestyle and if it will make your life
easier or more complex.
Set some boundaries
Simply, establish time limits when using technology. Kitchen
timers work very well for reminding you when to get off the computer, the TV or
the high tech game system. Let's say you set a time of one hour on the computer
or television. Stick to it. Once that timer goes off, shut everything down so
you won't be tempted to overspend your time.
Establish Technology-Free Areas
There should be specific places in your home where you are
completely disconnected from technology like the bathroom and the dinner table.
In addition, disconnecting from technology in certain areas in your home,
establish certain times where technology is to be out of commission. Perhaps
you could designate an hour before bed where you just read (an actual book
that's NOT online) or play cards.
Whatever your desired time of the day, establishing
boundaries around the use of technology will allow you to relax and unwind.
Consciously disengaging also helps you to foster stronger bonds with your
friends and family, while reducing your stress levels. Technology can be the
source of some of your greatest assistance or the source of your biggest
stress. Find the right path to using technology wisely and you won't find
yourself battling stress from technology.
