How to Use Technology in a Healthy Way

HOW TO USE TECHNOLOGY IN A HEALTHY WAY

Technology has taken many steps forward recently, and that can be pretty overwhelming. Today we have access to countless sources of information, entertainment, and ways to communicate with our friends and family. We even have technology that can play music from our refrigerators! We probably use different devices pretty regularly without even noticing it. Because technology is all around us, our use of it may become unhealthy. We should limit the time we spend on our smartphones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices. Smart phones especially have changed how people work, but they’ve also changed our bodies.

Ways to Keep Up with Healthy Technology Use

• Look at your workspace and see how you can make it more comfortable. Maybe having an ergonomic chair, a mousepad with wrist support, or adjusting screen brightness. You can also make time to look away from the screen regularly to stand up and stretch.
• Be sure to turn off all your screens before you go to bed.
• Take breaks from technology. Switch between activities that use technology and those that don’t, like talking to a friend or reading a book. If you decide to read an eBook, be sure you’re reading on a device that doesn’t provide a glare that may cause eye strain.
• Set aside a time to use your device. Rather than checking your phone or other device every few minutes, have your phone on silent and set a time to check it. You can start with every 15 minutes and work your way up to once every half hour or hour.