3 Technology Rules That Can Keep You Healthier
By Genevieve Cunningham
Technology is such an interesting and complicated thing in our lives. There are so many good things about it -- instant information, connection to others, and storage for important data. But there can be a downside to technology too -- addiction, poor mental health, and an overall decline in health. Luckily, we get to choose the way in which technology affects us. If we allow it to damage our health, it will. But if we choose wisely, we can have the best of both worlds. If you would like to keep your technology usage on the healthier side, take a look at these tips to help you do it.
No Technology Before Breakfast
How many of us open our eyes and immediately reach for our phones? It's a habit, and it's a bad one. If you want to be healthier and feel happier, don't even think about looking at your phone or any other device until at least breakfast. This gives you time to wake up without bombarding your mind with the light or social media or the news. Just relax into your morning. Your phone will still be there after you've had a calm, slow morning.
No Technology in the Bed
Similarly to skipping technology before breakfast, you should also consider banning it from your bed. If you're in the bed, the phone should not be with you. When we mindlessly scroll in the bed, we keep our minds awake and our eyes stimulated. We hinder our own sleep and keep our stress levels way too high. Don't do this to yourself! Instead, put the phone down, crawl into bed, and fully relax so that you can get much better sleep.
Check Social Media on Schedule
Sometimes it's not the device in and of itself that we need to skip, it's what we're doing that causes the damage. If you're a social media addict -- and most of us are at this point -- make a schedule and stick to it. Maybe you check your social media once mid-morning, once mid-afternoon, and once in the evening. And don't deviate from this schedule. With fewer clicks on the like button, you may find that your stress levels go down and social media isn't as important as you once thought.
Technology can be both good and bad. When you need information, it's definitely a good thing. But when you're addicted to the screen and can't go a few minutes without it, it's definitely a bad thing. Use these tips to keep your technology use under control, and you may find that your health improves as your constant usage declines.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Covina, Calif.