We Are A Technology Generation

But is that hindering us from being something greater?

In this article in TIME magazine, Doctors are warning against data smog, which is making us more depressed as a people. This data fog is a overabundance of useless information. Its everywhere and its bringing us down. While we have more information, most of it is useless to us and we spend so much time with it. Its associated with poor sleep, stress, and depression.

I have a personal connection to this because well, I gave up all technology over Thanksgiving break. I turned off my phone, I gave my computer to a friend to strip it because it was acting up, and I just didn't use any wireless/technology and didn't even have my phone to text, etc. It was surprising how FREEING it was. No one could contact me. When I turned my phone back on when arriving home, no one had had anything important to say anyway. I just basked the weekend away reading and just lazily dreaming and resting. Not doing anything but just enjoying the sounds and smells of Thanksgiving. It was glorious. I found myself a lot happier, a lot more in-tune to what people were feeling and saying around me, and more in-tune to myself and what my body and mind needed.

The Doctor in the article states his limiting of technology in this way "freed me to pursue more restorative activities, especially spending time in natural settings. My mind is clearer, my attention span longer, and my real (as opposed to virtual) friendships closer."


Suggestions:

• Take time off from technology and use your brain to curb your boredom. Read a book, play a board game, write in your journal, clean your house, make some delicious food, the list goes on.
• Take a long enough break from technology that you can feel the full effects and not get drawn back into it. Its like an addiction. Get to the point where you can be without it or with it and it doesn't REALLY matter to you.
• Limit the amount of technology you get on a regular basis. 
• Limit the TYPE of technology/info you get. Make it so that you only get exactly what you want and that it is mostly useful information. Otherwise, its just bringing you down.

A Little Laugh Goes A Long Way

Ever wonder what would happen if someone really did find the fountain of youth? Well, what if I told you it had already been found? What would you do about it? I'm going to tell you and you will probably think its cool and never really take it to heart, just like every other good thing for your body. You have no motivation. what. so. ever.

Laughing.

Laughing is the fountain of youth. It gives you a mental boost, facilitates physiological changes in our bodies, helps keep your heart healthy, keeps you under less stress, makes you feel good, gives you power, lets you cope, gives you better communication and connectedness, relieves tension and aggression, helps you learn better and retain that knowledge, and adds years to your life (Organic Soul Blog - Laughter).

Honestly how this article talks about how stress gives you a heart attack I should be getting one any day now. I am a stress-a-holic. Anything and everything I stress about. I really just need to back off and relax. Look at all these health benefits of LAUGHTER! For heavens sake, laughter is SO easy to procure. So whether its clicking on some youtube videos, staying up late to make everything funny, or just laughing at yourself when you do something stupid take time to laugh everyday and YOU will be feeling better in no time, not to mention adding years to your life, and hey, if you're laughing those years will be good.

UVU Wellness Quest

Stress Relief in Four Weeks - Week 3: Progressive Relaxation Exercise

You tighten naturally when you have stress which may lead to more stress. (This totally happens when I get migraines, more stress=more tightness=more pain=more stress=etc.) Relaxation can help stop the cycle.

1. Lie down.
2. Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Relax all muscles in body.
3. Start in your toes and tense all the muscles in your feet as hard as you can. Curl your toes up against your shoes. Tense your calf muscles and squeeze for 5-10 seconds. Slowly release and loosen the muscles of your feet and calves. Concentrate on relaxing.
4. Move the tension up your legs and do the same thing progressively up your body until you reach your head. Always remember to release the tighten slowly and focus on relaxing the muscles.
5. You hold your most stress in your head, neck, and face so be careful with this area and do over several times.

Release all the negative energy and thoughts from your body. Take a few deep breaths and then slowly open your eyes and at your leisure get up.

Resource: The Center for Mindfulness