The term ‘wellbeing’ refers to a multi-dimensional process which is all about how you relate with everything in your life, from material objects to personal and work relationships to how well you take care of yourself physically, emotionally and psychologically.
We are so technologically advanced than we were 15, 10 and even 5 years ago. We possess tech gadgets that make our lives easier, so we can accomplish more. This technological uprising has brought about a change in what many do for a living, but, more interestingly, how they do their work.
But are we sacrificing our mental and physical health for this modern-day ingenious devices (bells & whistles)? We are constantly plugged into social media which tracks our every move, thought and emotion. Studies show that checking your emails and social media is interfering with you living your life. It sabotages your health and it decreases your productivity, sometimes by half.
Being always digitally connected creates burnout and exhaustion because we’re under constant demand to always appear perfect. Our lifestyles have put our mental and physical health at risk because of the ever-present pressure of needing to work more so we can own more. This results in a high rate of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, obesity and many more.
Even though the Internet has numerous benefits, it can become a source of addiction for many of us because we use it as a means of escape from all the troubles of life. This can have a negative effect on your wellbeing as it only masks whatever is causing your stress and prevents you from dealing with it proactively.
As Dr. Archibald D. Hart and Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd state in their book, The Digital Invasion: How Technology is Shaping You and Your Relationships, “In many cases, one uses the Internet excessively to cope with social situations that are out of control.”
The way we manage our lifestyle has a great impact on our wellbeing. There are several ways to avoid the instabilities of modern day life, such as these following tips:
• Give
Giving is more than handing off a bit of cash or material items. It’s about promoting generosity and active participation. Knowing what your strengths are and using them to help others has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels and boost wellbeing. Plus, it keeps you motivated and empowered.
• Focus on what’s important
Take notice of the little things in life, as family, friends and loved ones. It’s also important to pay attention to things happening at the present. For example, if you’re in your car, take a good look at the colour of the sky, the trees on either side, pay attention to whatever’s playing on your stereo. This will make you appreciate what’s important and develop positive emotion in your life.
• Never stop learning
Set goals for yourself to learn a new hobby or language. Having a more involved and socially active life boosts self-esteem and leads to positive intellectual and social growth.
• Be active
Regular exercise helps keep your health – both physical as well as psychological – in tiptop shape so you feel more self-confident, more energized and enjoy higher levels of concentration. This also includes getting around 7 – 9 hours of quality sleep each night as well as doing some meditating for positive energy and an overall sense of wellbeing.
• Connect
Staying in touch with friends and family, and even having some one-on-one self-care quality time, creates a sense of unity and calmness in your life. A phone call or a text message is fine, but meeting them in person and talking to them face-to-face is actually much better. Connecting with others can also be done by volunteering at a local shelter or community centre. It teaches empathy, resilience and gratitude.
