The presence of screens and incessant connectivity has significantly altered the landscape of employee well-being and our social interactions. It’s not a nothing burger when we hide behind our screens. Excessive screen time stands as a catalyst for increased stress, anxiety, and depression, alongside sleep disturbances and reduced sleep quality as well as crumbling social interactions. Here’s a short historical ride and a reality check!
Throughout history, technological progress has profoundly reshaped human interaction. Consider Gutenberg's printing press in the 15th century, which democratized knowledge and transformed communication, fueling the Renaissance. Fast forward to the digital age; the rapid rise of computers, the internet, and mobile devices dissolved geographical barriers. Social media, messaging, and virtual communities redefined connections, altering how we communicate and relate globally. These technological leaps have fundamentally changed human interaction, allowing for instantaneous connections, and reshaping our social landscape. Here’s reality today.Subscribe
If you are not sitting in front of the screen, you are not working. If you are not typing something or creating another buzz-kill-powerpoint for the company presentation you are not productive. In fact we even use technology to avoid human interaction. I have learnt to master the art of hiding from colleagues in plain sight by using office technology. Sending an email instead of a chat and attending an online seminar with the camera turned off. Sure, we all have the occasional need for solitude in a social tapestry but we need to be aware how we interact with technology and remember our human needs.
However, while mastering the art of hiding behind technology, it’s crucial not to forget the essence of camaraderie and collaboration that form the cornerstone of a vibrant workplace. The computer has us sucked in even though we are aware of the addictive allure of screens and how social media further contributes to decreased productivity and a shorter attention span. Don’t get me started on the limitless hours our kids are consumed by the smartphone.
Screen time is a cause of disease in the fourth industrial revolution, and we need to be smarter about it. As a health professional I have a few innovative tips and tricks to stay healthy in this digital age.
- Make two phone calls each day instead of sending emails and experience a boost in colleague relationships and a growth of your network.
- Leave the phone in the office during the coffee-break to avoid mindless scrolling.
- Only use the phone during bedtime to surf for sex-positions or other real-life ways of connecting with the person lying next to you.
- Try not posting your physical exercise or outdoor pursuits on social media to increase your sense of presence in nature.
- Reduce your reliance on digital devices by using your old non-smart-phone one day a week.
- If you can’t control your own screen time, tell your kids to put a time-look on your phone. Let me tell you, it’s a funny way to enhance your relationship with your kids.
- For god sake do not only invest in ergonomic furniture and monitor setups. In ergonomics the next movement or position is always the best. Moving about is the solution.
A healthy digital life hinges on striking a harmonious balance between technological engagement and genuine human interaction. We can use technology to enhance human interaction or hide behind it. One thing is certain, our existence is far more thrilling, dynamic, and sensual than the digital world alone. Let’s connect old-school and stop hiding.