Unplugged-Redux
As often happens, when you are entertaining a particular subject - everything that comes your way seems to reinforce it. We magnetically draw to ourselves more of the same!
The September edition of Yoga Journal addressed the impact that our exploding reliance on technology is having on us:
"In her days as a Wall Street trader, yoga teacher Chrissy Carter used to sit in front of five computers tracking stock prices. But Carter says her technology use now - staying in touch with students via email, and social networks - is actually more stressful. 'Being so available all the time, and feeling obligated to respond quickly can leave me feeling pulled in a thousand directions,' she says. 'I use my Blackberry so much, my thumbs hurt.'
With the explosive growth of smart phones and social networks in the past few years, people's lives are more saturated with technology than ever, which is a challenge if you want to stay connected with your peaceful nature...
Constantly checking your computer and phone for updates isn't just distracting - it also induces anxiety, according to Linda Stone, a former technology executive at Apple and Microsoft, who has researched the effects of computing on human health.
'The desire not to miss anything, along with our poor posture and compromised breathing, can evoke a fight-or-flight state,' she says.
When your gadgets start to feel overwhelming, Carter suggests reconnecting with something that uplifts you. Close your eyes for a moment before composing a message and focus on the exhalation to soothe your nervous system; pause and repeat a mantra, or set a timer on your phone or computer and do a one minute meditation. 'You need that moment to step back and to press the reboot button on yourself.'
In a similar vein, the latest AARP Bulletin (Yes! I am old enough to get that!) warns of overindulging our many gadgets with our precious time. The article noted that it was after 9/11 that many jumped into the fray of owning a cellphone. I know that's exactly when I made the decision to make sure my son had one, who was in high school at the time.
"Is it time for you to power down? [These are questions to consider]:
Psychologists fear that people are spending enormous amounts of time cultivating virtual relationships at the expense of getting to know the flesh-and-bone folks standing right in front of them..."
Worthwhile things for all of us to consider!
The September edition of Yoga Journal addressed the impact that our exploding reliance on technology is having on us:
"In her days as a Wall Street trader, yoga teacher Chrissy Carter used to sit in front of five computers tracking stock prices. But Carter says her technology use now - staying in touch with students via email, and social networks - is actually more stressful. 'Being so available all the time, and feeling obligated to respond quickly can leave me feeling pulled in a thousand directions,' she says. 'I use my Blackberry so much, my thumbs hurt.'
With the explosive growth of smart phones and social networks in the past few years, people's lives are more saturated with technology than ever, which is a challenge if you want to stay connected with your peaceful nature...
Constantly checking your computer and phone for updates isn't just distracting - it also induces anxiety, according to Linda Stone, a former technology executive at Apple and Microsoft, who has researched the effects of computing on human health.
'The desire not to miss anything, along with our poor posture and compromised breathing, can evoke a fight-or-flight state,' she says.
When your gadgets start to feel overwhelming, Carter suggests reconnecting with something that uplifts you. Close your eyes for a moment before composing a message and focus on the exhalation to soothe your nervous system; pause and repeat a mantra, or set a timer on your phone or computer and do a one minute meditation. 'You need that moment to step back and to press the reboot button on yourself.'
In a similar vein, the latest AARP Bulletin (Yes! I am old enough to get that!) warns of overindulging our many gadgets with our precious time. The article noted that it was after 9/11 that many jumped into the fray of owning a cellphone. I know that's exactly when I made the decision to make sure my son had one, who was in high school at the time.
"Is it time for you to power down? [These are questions to consider]:
- Are you able to sit down to a meal with friends without checking your phone?
- Do you feel the need to check your phone in the middle of a movie?
- Do you use your hand held device while walking or driving?
- Have you noticed that all your conversations are taking through your smartphone rather than in person?
- Do you sleep with the device next to the bed?
- Does your neck hurt from looking down too much?
Psychologists fear that people are spending enormous amounts of time cultivating virtual relationships at the expense of getting to know the flesh-and-bone folks standing right in front of them..."
Worthwhile things for all of us to consider!
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