Let´s recover our minds. Health and technology.

Lu Lanziano
Sep 5, 2018 · 3 min read

After waiting a long line for paying some bills, I return home thinking. I realized that, beyond the annoyance of waiting at the line, there was another part of me that had enjoyed being there. After a while it was evident: I was there doing only one task. Instinctively I had left my cell phone at home. I am increasingly aware of the peace I feel when, for a while, I put aside my cell phone and the computer.

I think it is important to clarify that I am not against the use of technology. In fact, I use several social networks. I have whatsapp, I'm building an app as a personal venture (separate topic) and, in addition, I have a blog . I see the value in technology and, at the same time, I see the issues that as users we have to take into account. My intention is to talk about health (my terrain) and technology and share with you some proposals to develop a healthier relationship with technology:

Technology is a tool

For our relationship with technology to be healthy it is important to understand that technology is a tool. What we do with it or what it is capable of doing depends to a large extent on the type of use we give it as users.

The vulnerability of the mind to stimuli

Mobile devices and applications are generating systems and contents specially designed to keep us online as much as possible. They seek to capture the user, who stays and returns several times. The competition goes through capturing even a little bit of our attention. In this scenario, our mind is vulnerable, saturated with information and with little space to take our attention to the things that really matter: our life projects, conversations with family or friends, physical and mental care, our health, work, etc.

PH: Avi Richards.

Available 24 hours

We installed the chip that we are more efficient being available 24 hours a day. That's not true. With the constant "distractions" our brain receives (cell phone notifications, emails, calls, television programs, audios, etc.) our attention is divided and divided into many different focuses. The result of this is that it is very difficult for us to focus fully on a single task and we end up being inefficient. For example, did you notice how difficult it is to read a book lately?

Some proposals to recover the mind: *

-Silence the cell phone and turn it off at night. If you use it as an alarm, you can buy an analog clock. Yes, they still exist.

- Configure applications to receive the least possible number of notifications on the computer and cell phone, and then choose when to check your mail or see the news of social networks.

- If you are working on something important work or school related and you need concentration, try moving your cell phone away and put it in silence. For example, you can leave it in another room or charging away from your desk.

-If you are going to make a purchase or diligence you can leave the cell phone, carry a book or leave with nothing. It is a good practice to live in the moment, whatever you do. You will notice that your mind appreciates it.

PH: James Sutton.

As with a vicious relationship, at first you may feel resistance when you separate from your cell phone or computer, and there will be no excuses to return to the habit. That is the resistance. But remember, you need your mind functioning for and with you, in the moment, and the smallest changes in our daily routine can change the way we live, work and even connect - with ourselves and with others.

* Terms and conditions: all that depends on you.

Lu Lanziano
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