Note: The opinions in this article are the author‘s and do not necessarily represent the views of Shortlister!
It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the information online media offers, whether from social networks, online news outlets, newsletters, or other sources. And because these days we rely on the Internet for work and education, it’s essential to become tech-savvy.
As schools teach basic computer skills to prepare the citizens of the future for an even more technologically advanced landscape, the world today is raising digital natives.
With greater accessibility to technology, there is also an increase in screen times.
This means that people, on average, spend longer scrolling on their phones or browsing on their computers. For instance, adults spend 11-12 hours a day on screens, while teens spend seven hours a day.
In a world where we have become so accustomed to the Internet, it is no surprise that we spend most of our time scrolling, but it may come at a cost.
Anything excessive is never good for you, similarly to scrolling excessively from one social app to the other, as it can adversely affect mental health.
Several studies have found that interacting longer by liking, clicking, and updating more on social media can decrease mental health, especially for passive consumers, as discovered by a study that specifically looked at Facebook users.
So, it really comes down to how we use these social media apps. Can we find the balance needed to prioritize our mental health while staying informed and relevant to the digital culture?
Health & Wellbeing in a Digital World
Wellness programs have made it to the office, which has been relevant, especially in recent times, considering the Covid-19 pandemic that has forced everyone to live in isolation.
As humans, we are essentially social creatures that require our social needs to be met. So, it might have been discouraging to some when they work from home without the presence of their colleagues to motivate or even put pressure on their productivity.
Luckily, the present digital landscape has made it easy to connect with other workers through productivity platforms and communication tools. Chatting and video calling others are as simple as clicking a button.
Employers have recognized gaps in productivity as presented by the pandemic and leverage the benefits offered by these communication tools to create a safe working environment.
Personalizing programs for employees is one of the many ways companies implement digital elements to help with employee wellness. These programs include video tutorials, tailored email messages, online interactive activities, etc.
It is a plus point for employees to know that their problems are heard by the higher-ups. Thus, this may increase positive attitude, motivation, and productivity.
Bringing this perspective to a larger demographic, we can see that there are different interests for different age groups, gender, and income levels when setting priority in wellness trends.
For instance, according to one study, Gen Zs and Millennials are more interested in mental health and brain health technologies. At the same time, Gen Xs and Boomers are more interested in nutrition.
How to Balance Wellness in a Digital World
To start off, limiting screen time is one way to navigate through digital media use.
If limiting screen time at work is unavoidable, then dedicate some time off when you have arrived back home. Indulge in some hygge moments with your family or yourself if you live independently. Hygge is the Danish concept of cozy living, describing the pleasures of enjoying the simple things in life. Use this time to connect with family members and/or read a book at your nook.
Another way is to turn off your electronic devices one hour before sleep.
This can enhance your quality of sleep, which may otherwise be compromised when falling asleep in the middle of scrolling. After all, getting proper sleep decreases the chances of weight gain, heart disease, depression, and inflammation.
Set a schedule on when it might be best to take a social media break from time to time. One social media strategist has recommended taking a day out of your week dedicated to no social media usage.
Other ways to balance digital wellness include journaling, meditating, focusing on self-care, playing board games with friends and family, exploring nature when out on a walk, etc. These activities are directed to stay in tune with your surroundings.
You can easily overlook them when being too caught up with your screens.
Conclusion
Wellness at work is a significant trend that the corporate world is implementing as we deal with screens daily.
At work, we can turn to human resources to aid us with the right communication tools that will enhance our working experience and productivity levels. We can achieve digital wellness and well-being in our personal lives by scheduling when it is best to work on our screens and when it is not.
— Written by Neysa Tavianto
Neysa Tavianto is a content writer and strategist who is passionate about storytelling through creative visual content that appeals to emotion. She speaks two languages, Indonesian being her mother tongue and is also fluent in English. Her interests include sustainability, fashion, culture and more.
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