Then
It’s hard to imagine days without smartphones at our fingertips, but in the 1980s, these marvels of technology were still nearly two decades from being popular. Then, phone calls were made from landlines and pay phones, group chats happened face to face and you showed off photos artfully arranged in a fabric-covered photo album.
Now
Today, we’re connected in an instant through smartphones, tablets and even watches. Of the 96% of Americans who own a cellphone, 81% own smartphones. And while these devices offer benefits like having immediate access to information, staying in touch with friends and family, and getting directions, there also are real issues when it comes to our overall well-being.
Tips
We know it’s hard to put the phone down, even at bedtime. But did you know that taking your phone or tablet to bed can negatively impact your sleep? The blue light emitted by your screen affects melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep and stay asleep. The constant stimulation of scrolling can also make falling asleep more difficult. And let’s not forget about those alerts and notifications chiming throughout the night and disrupting our rest. For better sleep, stop checking your devices 30 minutes before bed and turn off notifications.
But poor sleep isn’t the only side effect of modern technology. Our phone addiction can also negatively impact our interpersonal relationships. It happens all the time. You’re having a conversation with a friend and they reach for the phone to scroll, swipe or answer that text or email. You, my friend, have been phubbed — phone snubbed. And that probably left you feeling like you aren’t important to that person. Not being fully engaged and attentive during face-to-face interactions can damage those relationships over time.
So, take a break from those devices and throw it back to the ’80s by reconnecting with the people and world around you!
