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Home / Waikato News / Lifestyle

Switch off and tune out for a technology detox

Hamilton News
3 Sep, 2012 06:00 PM4 mins to read

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With the modern popularity of social media sites, Skype and texting, few of us are ever really 'switched off' or inaccessible, and research suggests that this is causing stress for many people. If you're feeling overwhelmed by technology, check out these five ways to deal with digital stress.

SWITCH OFF FROM WORK

A survey by VTech and Toluna shows that being constantly accessible for work is a primary source of technology related stress.

Although it can be tempting to carry on checking emails and answering work calls long after you leave the office, it is important to allocate some time for yourself and switch off from work stress.

Tell your colleagues that you will be unavailable after a certain time, turn off your phone and computer and set aside some work-free time each evening to relax. Have a bath, read a book, take an exercise class, or do whatever helps you to unwind.

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If it is essential to check your messages outside work hours, at least try to check them less often and set aside some time when your phone is switched off.

HAVE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS FACE TO FACE

One of the major problems with communicating primarily by email, social media sites or text messaging is that it can be difficult to detect tone or meaning in the same way as in a face-to-face conversation. Therefore, misunderstandings can easily arise.

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It is also more common to have to wait for a reply, which can cause prolonged stress and anxiety.

To avoid unnecessary drama and stress, try to have important conversations face to face and leave emails and texting as a way of making arrangements and for trivial chat. As many of us have become used to relying on technology, rather than meeting in person, making more time for proper conversations will also help to give your relationships a boost.

BE SELECTIVE WITH YOUR CONTACTS

Being inundated with messages or reading constant social media updates from people who cause you stress in any way can easily ruin your mood.

Therefore, it can be helpful to be selective about who you are available to and when. Many of us feel obliged to accept all social media friend requests and hand over our personal contact details when asked - but do this only if you want to.

If you are not sure you want to be constantly accessible to a certain person, try politely explaining to them that you tend not to use that form of communication very often.

Alternatively, if you don't want to be constantly available to co-workers, set up accounts just for communicating with colleagues. You can check as and when you want to.

DON'T FEEL PRESSURED TO HAVE IT ALL

The VTech and Toluna survey shows that the second leading cause of technological stress is having to keep up with technology changes.

However, it is important to realise that it is not essential to have and know it all. Although it may be tempting to buy the latest mobile phone or iPod, or to set up an account for every social media site going, remember that technology is meant to be there to enhance your life, not detract from it and, if it is causing you stress, then it is not doing its job.

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It is not worth letting technology ruin your mood, so try to stick to what you find useful and don't feel under pressure to keep up with trends.

If you do need to know about certain digital devices for your job or because you think it will enhance your life, take a course or ask someone to show you how to use it, rather than letting it overwhelm you.

HAVE A DIGITAL DETOX

Many of us spend a vast percentage of our day connected to the internet or texting on our mobile phones.

This can cause us to miss everyday sources of pleasure, including conversations with the people around us.

To help cut stress have a digital detox.

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Spend a week, day or afternoon - whatever you can best handle - without any technology and live in the real world instead.

Listen to the birds singing rather than your iPod, take in the view rather than tapping away at your phone, and call someone for a conversation rather than sending an email.

When you get back to your computer or phone you will notice that the world didn't stop because you turned it off for a while, and there was probably nothing to stress about after all.



For more lifestyle news visit www.realbuzz.com

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