How to Manage Technology Overload: 6 Strategies to Help

In the modern age, technology has become a ubiquitous part of our lives, and with it comes risks.

There’s a term for it: Technology overload.

According to researchers in the article Technology overload: Is there a technological panacea? it means "device proliferation and information overload that causes cognitive and physical burdens on human beings due to the use of multiple gadgets with multiple functions to accomplish multiple tasks in everyday activities"

In other words, technology overload is the physical or cognitive burden that results from using multiple devices for too many tasks in everyday life.

Beyond simply being inconvenient, this can cause significant harm if left unchecked - but by recognizing these issues and taking steps to limit the overuse of computers, smartphones, and other digital technologies, we will be better positioned to maintain a balance between our technological inventions and natural well-being.

The Negative Effects of Technology Overload

Technology overload can have many adverse effects on us:

• People who use social media more are three times as likely to feel isolated than those who don't
• We've all felt the strain on eyesight from excessive screen time.
• Hunching forward while using technology devices can lead to poor posture, which causes back pain and neck discomfort
• We all have experienced strain in our eyes when our exposure to tablets, mobiles and laptops has increased.
• The excessive use of mobile phones close to bedtime has also shown to create disturbance in sleep patterns.
• There is also a reduction in physical activity when a person is using these gadgets for a prolonged period of time which is not good for us as the human body is designed to move and not sit in a particular place.
• The use of different devices has also been shown to have adverse effects on children. They are unable to focus and lack concentration, and there is a decline in social interaction which is not a good sign for growing children.

To control and avoid technology overload, we have to work and focus on ourselves and find ways to disconnect and recharge. So let's find out the different ways in which we can achieve this.

6 Ways to Disconnect and Recharge to Reduce Technology Overload

Here are some strategies for disconnecting and recharging ourselves from this technology overload.

Establish limits on the use of technology.

We all know that whenever we get some free time, we tend to pick our mobiles or laptops. We start checking our emails and messages or scroll through some reels. We need set limits like lunch and dinner time, time for kids, and bedtime. During these times, we need to shut down our laptops and put our mobiles aside. We should try to spend quality time with our family, which is important.

Take up some outdoor activities.

In the evening, instead of spending time on these gadgets unless required, it is better to take up some outdoor activity. Going for a walk in the park, and meeting people /friends is very important. Enroll for classes in yoga, music, or dance. It can also help relax the mind and body.

Disable popup notifications

Popup notifications on our phones tend to interrupt our flow of work. According to Linette George, co-owner and productivity specialist at Spark Productivity, it takes a minute to check a notification and refocus back on our work. If we keep checking our phones for notifications throughout the day, we may lose out on quality time. This is something that we need to think about.

Use a time tracker or app blocker

Recently I came to know of a function in my mobile called Zen mode. It enables me to set a time limit when I won't be able to access the apps on my mobile. This helps us to divert our attention from our gadgets. There are also apps like Appdetox or Forest which help us to restrict the usage of phones.

Set boundaries for email response time.

We all believe that when we receive mail from our employer or client, we need to respond to them immediately. We should try to avoid doing that unless and until it is necessary. We need to set limits for answering our emails because we have to take the necessary break that we need. So it is always better to set the limits to a day for answering emails unless marked urgent.

Set aside time for reading books.

The only escape from these gadgets at times is to read books. Books have been our friends for a long time. So let's set aside time for reading books which will not only discourage the time we spend on social media but also help us gain good knowledge.

Conclusion

The truth is that in the present world, where technology has a grip on each and everything we do, it is not possible for us to resist or curb its use even if we have the willpower. So the best way is to use technology to help us stay away from technology. Surprising, isn't it?

We can do this by downloading apps that remind us that we have exceeded our screen time limits and we need to focus on other things.

We all know that technology is here to stay, so let's use it in the best possible way so that we are not overloaded with it.