We are living in a time of digital excess. You are consuming this material on your digital device at this very moment. Technology is so integrated in our lives, that we find it difficult to recognize the problems that it could have on our lives. If you aren’t sure that you are experiencing digital overload, take a look at the signs below.
10 Signs of digital overload
Checking your digital device first thing in the morning, middle of the night and regularly while in bed
Checking your device while at a meal with others
Excusing yourself from activities with people to check email or social media
Bumping into someone due to inattention due to a smart phone or other device
Finding it difficult to complete a task without stopping to check content unrelated to the task at hand
Spending little time in face-to-face interactions
Spending your time at home with family in separate rooms interacting with screens
Using a digital device to keep a child/children occupied instead of interacting with them directly like reading or playing
Going online when you feel stressed or want to avoid an unpleasant task
Having a desire to reduce your “screen time,” but finding it difficult to control your internet use
If any of these items apply to you, it is likely that you have some level of digital overload. To begin to combat this process addiction consider increasing your practice of mindfulness in your daily life. Mindfulness is paying attention on purpose without judgement. Being mindful of media can provide us with insight on how we engage with technology. Once we understand how we engage, then we can begin to make different choices on how we interact with technology and media.
To support a shift in being more mindful with your media use and battling digital overload, listen to this beginning guide on how to approach media mindfully.