I recently came across an interesting article that got me thinking about our technology and how it affects our daily lives. A scary point the article was trying to make was that people feel physical symptoms whenever their technology is out of reach. There’s a well-put info graphic at the end that further goes into detail about these symptoms, which include shakiness, disturbed sleep, palpitations, headaches, chest tightness, and a sense of one’s stomach being “twisted up in knots”.

After talking about the current forms of treatment towards anxiety, it ironically mentioned the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy apps as another useful tool.

Initially, I was surprised to find no mention of other anti-stress tools such as yoga, meditation, or exercise, but was relieved to see that the info graphic gave a nod to all of these activities at the very end as “recovery tips”. While I cannot argue the effectiveness of counseling or medications in certain conditions, I don’t think we should overlook the power of lifestyle changes, either. They were at the very bottom of the info graphic, and really should have been displayed much earlier.

Caring for your body by eating right, managing your stress, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly all make a world of difference. Not only are there physical benefits but there are also mental ones, too. Staying committed to routine exercise helps cultivate responsibility and the fortitude to withstand hardships. A challenging workout primes the mind for a challenging point in life. Learning to say no and not give in to binge eating helps you to connect with yourself and set personal boundaries, which not only have to do with food. Finding time to meditate also means creating a sense of self-respect and knowing the importance of self-care. I believe all of these things act as both prevention and prescription. No, they won’t “cure” you of any anxiety, but they’ll help you to deal with it and maybe even lower its intensity. Your idea of stress might start to change as you create a healthy lifestyle. Right when anxiety rears its ugly head, you’ll be able to recognize it immediately and know when it’s time to really pay attention to your emotions and tend towards self-care.

As far as technology goes, there’s no doubt that the rise of social media has created a strain on all of us. It’s easy for us to envy someone else just by appearances, when the reality could be farther from the truth. Who wants to see all the ups and downs and ugliness of someone else’s life? They’re not pretty, and for some of us, all-too real at a time we’d rather be escaping into someone else’s “fantasy”.

For some of us, it would be wise to take a break from technology. If it’s taking over our lives so drastically that we’ve become slaves to our devices, then yes, we should distance ourselves. At least for a little while. It would help to spend time away from our phones or computers and embrace the world in front of us. Some people like to call these breaks “digital detoxes”, spending up to a month without ever logging into their social media accounts. Other people just need to do it for a day or two as a reset. Whatever you decide to do, learn to separate fact from fiction, and remember that you are more important than your online presence, and your technology. 

A good balance can be achieved once we discipline ourselves when it comes to using our devices. There’s nothing wrong with social media when it’s done right. It can inspire us to change, learn, and connect in ways we couldn’t have done not too long ago (if you can believe it). Just remember to give yourself a break; turn off the phone, go outside, meditate, cook a nutritious meal, workout, or spend time with people you love. I think all of these things can help to even the odds against the rising concern over our use of technology.