Rebooting Life - The Physical And Mental Impact Of Digitization

When technology dominates every other aspect of life, it transforms the real-life into a virtual one and as a result, reality gets suppressed and virtuality overrules.
lifestyle · 5 min
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Seeing the world diving into virtual reality has really become a matter of concern now. The indulgence might have brought us closer to people living far away, but it has pushed back the people that are still physically present around us. Lockdown plays a very strong role to make people feel the necessity of living in the digital space.

Is the need for technology gradually shifting towards addiction? To what extent, are we spending our life browsing or using other applications on our phones or laptop?

The side effect of digitization, credit The New York Times

What impact can digitization have on our lives? Are we still progressing or is this just an illusion?

This crisis has led us to start living our lives within a digital frame. Work from home, online classes, zoom calls - have become a part of our everyday life. This convenience of having everything easily available for access has really sidelined our physical and mental health.

Nowadays, it is being observed that working parents are actually using these digital platforms, to escape from their parenthood. It definitely becomes a lot easier for them to manage their toddlers. Irrespective of the actual harm that this habit is causing.

It is really sad to see those kids, who used to play outside, are now happily playing inside the techno box. These changes might seem very small for now, but it will badly affect their life in the long run.

The Digital savior or foe, credit cloudygif

“Whenever My 10-year-old daughter cries, I hand her my phone so that she gets engrossed in it and stops whining. I even let her listen to rhymes on digital platforms, which makes her learn things more efficiently” says Rekha Singh,36, a homemaker from Jamshedpur.

This might seem the best way to make your kids understand and learn her course, but is it safe to do so?

As we know, kids pick up bad habits very quickly. Facing the harshness that comes with staring at our screens all day, can really damage one's eyesight very badly. It can even affect mental health as well.

It is understood that going digital has become a necessity now, but anything used beyond a certain extent of moderation can only bring infliction to the users.

Vishal Das, 24, a motion graphic and sound designer at Phoenix Live, Bangalore says, “I work for almost 12-14 hours, digitally. It becomes very tiresome for me to maintain the same creativity level and enthusiasm, working all day. Digital work drains my energy more quickly and hampers my physical and mental health. Especially my eyes, it gets badly hampered and starts hurting. So, I make sure that whenever I face the screen, I have my glasses on. There are days when I face severe back pain, due to the long hours of exposure to my laptop screen. I try to take breaks and have snacks in between, listen to music, and do my regular workout - to be able to do my work efficiently.”

The work aspect has made us digital slaves, where our freedom is being passed into the hands of big industrialists. Further, the cheap rates of mobile data influence us to never break this course of digital dilemma.

So what is it that can be done to overcome this obsession? To remove this addiction to being a digital junkie, people are going for a digital detox. That is, going for a small break by getting off the digital world. This has helped people to have a rhythm in their life.

The digital junk is capturing all our healthy spaces, by Min Sun

“I think we are closer to the digital world, more than ever. Everything and everyone is just a click away. Be it information, shopping, talking, or simply connecting with people. Technology has made a lot of things effortless and so much more convenient. Well, it has its own advantages. Social connectivity, communication speed, and even the nature of working have been transformed.”

“However, as a technology junkie, it is difficult to live our lives without it. We have become lazy, both physically and mentally, it also has the capability to wreak havoc in our social lives as well. “

“There is an increase in social disconnect amongst people, we are so used to socializing and communicating digitally, that a lot of us are actually forgetting the art of real-life contact. This has led to a sense of disconnect & isolation. I also feel that it has started to overpower us. So taking a digital detox every now & then is proving to be quite healthy. I’ve tried a digital detox a few times, and I couldn’t be any more in support of it than I already am.”

stepping out from the world of technology is the need of the hour
                 STEP OUT, artwork by Nidhi Singh

“Sadly other than a digital detox, there doesn’t really seem any other way to tackle this issue. Either one can detest technology, which honestly doesn’t make much sense. So the key is balance. Maybe set time limits to your daily usage of technology and to indulge in a digital detox every month or twice a month, whatever seems suitable. Having tried this hack of ’balancing’ my technology, usage time has really decreased. It has certainly helped me a lot in staying sane, in this otherwise super modern yet insane world”, says Diva Pratap Singh, 24, Media communication student, New Delhi.                          

The growth of digital communication has made almost everything possible. This might seem good for the current scenario, but it is badly affecting what the future might hold. The invisible barrier of technology has really made us avoid people sitting next to us. We have left those times behind, where one used to sit and spend time with our family was of great importance. The face to face interaction is losing its essence due to the screen to screen interaction. Honestly, it is tough and impractical to be away from the digital world, but small steps to keep your phone away for even an hour can be a good start for a better future.

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Opinions and Perspectives

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Ava-Grace commented Ava-Grace 3 years ago

We need more discussions about healthy tech habits in workplaces.

3
MysticVortex commented MysticVortex 3 years ago

The article captures the zeitgeist of our digital dependence perfectly.

4
Jasmine_Dance commented Jasmine_Dance 3 years ago

Sometimes I wonder if we're progressing or just moving sideways.

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Fleming_Feature commented Fleming_Feature 3 years ago

The impact on physical health really needs more attention.

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Serene_Sanctuary_X commented Serene_Sanctuary_X 3 years ago

Finding balance is key, but it's harder than the article makes it seem.

4
Paula-Duncan commented Paula-Duncan 3 years ago

The article makes valid points about digital boundaries in professional settings.

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Masters_Memo commented Masters_Memo 3 years ago

I relate to the struggle between necessity and overuse of technology.

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Uplift-And_Inspire_2024 commented Uplift-And_Inspire_2024 3 years ago

We need better guidelines for healthy digital consumption.

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Ellie commented Ellie 3 years ago

The point about children's development in a digital age is particularly concerning.

2
Kayla_Sullivan commented Kayla_Sullivan 3 years ago

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed by constant digital accessibility?

2
Cronkite_Chronicles commented Cronkite_Chronicles 3 years ago

The article should have discussed more about digital addiction prevention.

5
Tiffany-Taylor commented Tiffany-Taylor 3 years ago

Interesting how technology both connects and isolates us simultaneously.

5
VictoriaScott commented VictoriaScott 3 years ago

The section about work from home culture really hits different now.

7
MikaylaLuxe commented MikaylaLuxe 3 years ago

Been trying to read physical books again instead of everything on screens.

1
Lang_Ledger commented Lang_Ledger 3 years ago

The article really captures the complexity of our relationship with technology.

3
Flora_Magic commented Flora_Magic 3 years ago

Wonder if we'll ever find the perfect balance between digital and analog life.

7
Masters_Memo commented Masters_Memo 3 years ago

The comparison between physical and digital interactions is quite thought-provoking.

8
Lillian commented Lillian 3 years ago

Makes me think about how we'll handle digital boundaries in the future.

6
MotivationDaily commented MotivationDaily 3 years ago

I appreciate how the article addresses both personal and professional digital use.

4
Vitality_Queen_42 commented Vitality_Queen_42 3 years ago

The point about digital work draining energy faster than traditional work is so true.

8
BlytheS commented BlytheS 3 years ago

Anyone else feel like their sleep has gotten worse with increased screen time?

3
Danielle_Shine commented Danielle_Shine 3 years ago

The article could have explored the positive aspects of digital transformation more.

0
Declutter_And-Thrive commented Declutter_And-Thrive 4 years ago

We need more research on the long-term effects of constant digital exposure.

8
Shields_Summary commented Shields_Summary 4 years ago

Interesting perspective on how digital platforms affect parenting styles.

7
SuccessStartsWithin commented SuccessStartsWithin 4 years ago

The mention of digital detox feels like treating a symptom rather than the cause.

7
LiamLewis commented LiamLewis 4 years ago

Been tracking my screen time lately and I'm honestly shocked by the numbers.

0
LenaJ commented LenaJ 4 years ago

The article makes me wonder about the future of human connection.

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Faith_Hope commented Faith_Hope 4 years ago

I think we need to stop demonizing technology and focus on healthy usage patterns.

3
CoraBelle commented CoraBelle 4 years ago

The part about creativity being drained by digital work really resonates with me.

3
IsaacMurphy commented IsaacMurphy 4 years ago

Anyone tried scheduling specific offline hours during the day?

7
SelfCare_Sanctuary_42 commented SelfCare_Sanctuary_42 4 years ago

Fascinating how we've become so dependent on technology in just one generation.

5
Jenna_Hope commented Jenna_Hope 4 years ago

The article could have discussed more about digital wellness apps and tools.

6
LoganBaker commented LoganBaker 4 years ago

Sometimes I miss the pre-smartphone era, but I know I couldn't go back now.

2
StormBreaker commented StormBreaker 4 years ago

The mention of physical health impacts is crucial. My doctor keeps warning me about this.

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Katherine commented Katherine 4 years ago

We're experiencing a fundamental shift in human interaction and we don't even realize it.

0
DanaJ commented DanaJ 4 years ago

Interesting how the article connects lockdown to increased digital dependency.

7
ChloeEvans commented ChloeEvans 4 years ago

Starting to think we need digital literacy courses in schools.

3
TateCodes commented TateCodes 4 years ago

The point about social disconnect hits hard. I catch myself texting people in the same room.

3
Nina_Soft commented Nina_Soft 4 years ago

My company implemented mandatory screen breaks and it's made such a difference.

4
Ava-Davis commented Ava-Davis 4 years ago

The article could have explored more about how different cultures handle digital integration.

6
Alice commented Alice 4 years ago

Anyone else miss the simple joy of being unreachable sometimes?

0
Rosen_Review commented Rosen_Review 4 years ago

The section about kids learning through digital platforms raises interesting questions about education's future.

1
Eliana_Rain commented Eliana_Rain 4 years ago

I wonder if future generations will look back at this period as the beginning of a major societal shift.

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JaxonGarcia commented JaxonGarcia 4 years ago

The article makes good points about mental health impacts. My anxiety definitely increases with more screen time.

1
BodyAndSoulFit commented BodyAndSoulFit 4 years ago

What about the environmental impact of all our devices? That's another aspect to consider.

5
BellaWard commented BellaWard 4 years ago

Been trying to use my phone less but it's harder than quitting smoking was for me.

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DreamManifestX commented DreamManifestX 4 years ago

The mention of work-life balance resonates strongly. The lines have become so blurred.

2
Gloria_Twilight commented Gloria_Twilight 4 years ago

I find it interesting how we blame technology but never ourselves for poor self-control.

7
Lisa-Marie commented Lisa-Marie 4 years ago

The article should have addressed how digital technology affects different age groups differently.

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AddisonFoster commented AddisonFoster 4 years ago

Yes! My physiotherapist says their practice has never been busier.

4
Layla_Sunshine commented Layla_Sunshine 4 years ago

Anyone else notice their posture getting worse from all the computer work?

8
WillaS commented WillaS 4 years ago

The comparison between screen-to-screen and face-to-face interaction really made me think.

1
Gabriella_Journey commented Gabriella_Journey 4 years ago

Remember when we used to memorize phone numbers? Now I can't even remember my own sometimes.

7
VitalityQueen commented VitalityQueen 4 years ago

I actually feel more productive working digitally. Paper waste has decreased significantly in my office.

0
Kroll_Keynotes commented Kroll_Keynotes 4 years ago

The part about cheap mobile data being a factor in our addiction is spot on. Unlimited access has changed everything.

1
CheerfulSpirit commented CheerfulSpirit 4 years ago

Wonder what the long-term effects of all this screen time will be on our brains.

2
Alexander-Thomas commented Alexander-Thomas 4 years ago

I'm trying to implement a no-phone rule during meals. Small steps make a difference.

3
Victoria_Star commented Victoria_Star 4 years ago

The article could have mentioned more solutions besides just digital detox.

1
MarkT commented MarkT 4 years ago

But these tools are specifically designed to be addictive. That's what makes it different.

1
Aria commented Aria 4 years ago

I disagree with calling it addiction. We've simply evolved to use new tools, just like humans always have.

1
WarpDriveNomad commented WarpDriveNomad 4 years ago

The artwork by Nidhi Singh really captures the isolation we're experiencing in this digital age.

8
Hirsi_Hotline commented Hirsi_Hotline 4 years ago

What really struck me was the mention of becoming digital slaves. We're all just feeding data to big tech companies.

1
Stillness-Within_888 commented Stillness-Within_888 4 years ago

Maybe we need to find a middle ground. Complete digital detox isn't realistic in today's world.

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DarkNetSurfer commented DarkNetSurfer 4 years ago

As a parent, sometimes screens are the only way to get anything done. It's not ideal but it's reality.

5
ParisXO commented ParisXO 4 years ago

I found the part about parents using devices to pacify children particularly concerning. We're creating a generation of digital dependents.

3
PaisleyPowell commented PaisleyPowell 4 years ago

Just because we're more connected doesn't mean the connections are meaningful though.

3
SkyboundNomad commented SkyboundNomad 4 years ago

The article makes some valid points about social disconnect, but I think it's a bit one-sided. Technology has brought my family closer together.

4
Functional_Fitness_17 commented Functional_Fitness_17 4 years ago

I use them! Made a huge difference for my headaches during long work hours.

0
Robert_1990 commented Robert_1990 4 years ago

Has anyone tried those blue light glasses? I'm wondering if they actually help with eye strain.

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HealthyInside_Out_90 commented HealthyInside_Out_90 4 years ago

Working 12-14 hours digitally like Vishal Das mentions in the article is my reality too. My eyes are constantly strained.

4
SelfCareQueen commented SelfCareQueen 4 years ago

The digital detox idea mentioned in the article sounds interesting. I tried it for a week and felt so much more present.

4
Pilates-Power_X commented Pilates-Power_X 4 years ago

True, but have you noticed how much our attention spans have shortened? I can barely read a book without checking my phone.

8
RobbyD commented RobbyD 4 years ago

Actually, I think technology has been a lifesaver during lockdown. Without it, we would have been completely isolated.

3
PhantomShadow commented PhantomShadow 4 years ago

The part about kids and screen time really hits home. My nephew barely goes outside anymore, just glued to his tablet all day.

0
Lawler_Look commented Lawler_Look 4 years ago

I totally relate to this article. I find myself spending way too much time on screens lately. Anyone else feeling the same?

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