Adjusting your Technology Habits

In today’s tech savvy world, screen time is the best time… right? Well what if I said it was probably doing you more harm than good. I will be the first one to tell you that these technological devices we are all so use to using truly do help our lives in many wonderful ways. From educating ourselves, keeping up with affairs, engaging with friends and family, and advancing our skills- you can really use technology for every aspect of your life.

While technology has influenced some areas of our lives for the better- most of us are becoming too sedentary during this screen time. Perfect example, I’m writing this blog post to you all while I sit at my desk giving me the perfect opportunity to sit not stand. There are many other examples including sitting and watching TV, or sitting instead of walking during meetings. While these seem minute in nature, this habit of inactivity adds up and can become an issue which may effect other aspects of our health. So lets be real with ourselves, technology isn’t going to disappear and how much we use it is probably only going to increase. In order to stay active throughout screen time I think conscious efforts need to be made. Try for example an acronym that has really helped me at work: (write it on a sticky note and place it on your desktop, or wherever is most convenient for you and will see it multiple times per day)

Shoulders back
Engage core
Attention relaxed
Tall torso

To make this effort come full circle, try incorporating it within your home as well with your family! In my opinion, kids and teens have so much screen time that is inhibiting their mental focus, their ability to create and imagine, and to socialize with others. In 2013, the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that on average 8- to 10-year-olds were in front of a screen up to eight hours a day, and 11 hours a day for some teens. The question then becomes, how much is too much? I believe that is a question your household should decide and should be acted on as a family unit.

Check out these videos that show how much screen time is affecting the way children are growing up:

How Much Screen Time Is Too Much for Kids?- The List TV Show

Is Too Much Technology Hurting Kids’ Developmental Growth- NBC News

Hopefully with making changes and consciously correcting habits, we can decrease our screen time and increase our play time!