5 ways to address your addiction to technology

Cyber addiction or Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is a pathology that implies an abusive use of the network through several devices. We provide you with several keys to stop it.

Nomophobia, clinics to treat technological dependence, anxiety when the battery is too low, slavery to social networks… The 21st century is that of Artificial Intelligence, the dizzying learning of machines, the hyperconnected society, the weight in gold of the value of the data or the assimilation of the smartphone almost as a third limb inherent to our body. Only a small number can make us aware of the change: since 2000 the use of the Internet has increased by more than 1,000%.

In this way, while thousands of benefits are our lives of comfort and innovation, the addiction to technology, commonly called Internet addiction disorder or IAD, has also settled in our environments as an epidemic that already affects a large number of people. Thus, some studies carried out on the populations of America and Europe suggest that about 38% of the population could be suffering from this disease. 

Both within companies and in personal or couple relationships technology is gaining ground, providing dopamine with each new notification, engaging in the maelstrom of online shopping or driving us to live more inside than outside of social networks. We provide you with some keys to stop this technological dependence and develop a healthy relationship with it. 

5 ideas to develop a healthy relationship with technology

• Rebuild your behaviors: At the most basic level, addiction to technology is inserted into a series of habitual behaviors. To change your behaviors, try to set new habits and replace previous behaviors with new ones. Instead of aimlessly checking your smartphone during free time, you can opt for healthy alternatives such as reading, meditating or exercising.
• Digital periods of detoxification: It is interesting to schedule lapses, days or moments – for example during the holidays or the weekend – of digital detoxification to get used to the hours of activity and lack of access to technology. If you consider that you are very hooked and require an even more intense digital detoxification, there are a number of companies that organize even withdrawals without any connection to the network and to various devices.
• Put limits on the use of email and social networks: For example, you can try to consult social networks only once a day or in a certain time slot, as well as establish specific schedules to check and respond to emails, in addition to limiting the WhatsApp or remove the data when you’re working.
• Have an accomplice: To try to get rid of any bad habit, such as smoking or eating junk food, it is always good to have a partner to help you to give an account and give you the encouragement you need. Your partner, a friend or someone from work you can trust can be a great option.
• Celebrate your successes: Changing certain behaviors can be difficult, but when you succeed, be sure to celebrate. Spend more time in nature, train and do sport, dinner with friends and family or treat yourself to the cinema. Reinforcing activities that you like, you will realize how little you miss technology.

Source | Inc