Tech Connection
How to have a healthy smart tech life
Try thinking of today without technology. Could you get your job done without the internet? How would you make it to a new place without Google Maps? Would you know where to eat without seeing it on Instagram first? Imagining a life without technology seems rather dire, however we have to question the role technology plays in our lives. With the rise in mental health issues, partly due to an increase in screen time, the ongoing need for technology detoxes and the reduction in face to face conversations, how do we find the balance between the benefits and impediments of technology?
Research shows we are living in a time where we are more disconnected than ever before and there are detrimental effects to living a life through our phone.
A report by Massey University found there was a significant relationship between internet use and decreased overall wellbeing. With the measure of wellbeing encompassing a range of factors including depression, self-esteem and loneliness.
It’s evident one of the main factors in a decrease in wellbeing is to do with less physical connection.
The World Happiness Report found the amount of time adolescents spent online increased at the same time that sleep and in-person social interaction declined, in tandem with a decline in general happiness.
Of course the impacts of social media and the role it plays are always at the forefront of our minds. According to the World Happiness Report, social comparison may have a direct impact on wellbeing, where people feel that their lives are inferior compared to the glamorous “highlight reels” of others’ social media pages.
So, what’s the solution you ask? How do we reconnect while enjoying the benefits technology has brought us?
Looking overseas, Denmark – which has always come in among the top three countries – was ranked the second highest country in the World Happiness Report for 2019 (with Finland being number one). What is Denmark doing so right, that we’re not getting? Known as the ‘Hygge Effect’, the Danish concept in general terms, means taking time away from the daily rush to enjoy the simple and good things in life with people you care about.
The World Happiness Report claims that happiness is closely linked to social equality and community spirit. While social equality is a hard one to combat on our own, one way of upping community spirit is with volunteer work. Research suggests part of the reason volunteers are less depressed compared to non-volunteers is simply that volunteers attend more meetings, providing more opportunities for social interaction.
There have been several small experimental studies found by the World Happiness Report that provide some supporting evidence that feelings of social connection are important in turning generosity into happiness. Think about it, if you’ve ever donated your time to a cause you care about, not only did you feel good about giving back, but it’s probably the connections you made with others that left a lasting impression.
On a local level, Tish McNicol founded Honey Pot – a movement of human connection, which aims to build a community abundant in love and compassion. McNicol says the idea sparked when she could see how we are living in a time where connection should be easy, however it seems we are lacking something deeper – we’re lacking true connections and community. “It’s like a piece of our being is missing,” says McNicol.
Honey Pot offers an opportunity to create a collective movement in bringing back the connection. This includes collaborative ceremonies that take you on a journey through breathwork, yoga, meditation and more. Each ceremony is different, but all share the same purpose, to reconnect you with yourself and those around you. “Humans are tribal by nature – community and connections are a fundamental part of our wellbeing,” says McNicol.
For McNicol, technology has had an impact on the way we connect in both positive and negative ways. Making us contactable almost all of our waking hours means we can’t slow down, and we often feel the need to reply as soon as possible. Plus, having technology with us 24/7 through our smartphones means we can easily fall prey to not being present.
Have you ever sat down to have a meal with someone, only to notice their phone is on the table, facing up, in case of any notifications? Even though we are having a physical meeting with that person, technology can take us away from the present moment and prevent us from having a true connection.
“Overall, technology isn’t going anywhere, so we need to use it mindfully for positive impact and remember to just turn it off sometimes,” says McNicol.
“Humans are tribal by nature – community and connections are a fundamental part of our wellbeing.” Tish McNicol