8 Ways to Cope with Technology Overload
We live in a world of super speed and instant gratification. We have instant connection with all the people we love through our smartphones but still we feel lonelier than ever. We have everything we “need” one click away but still we feel restless and unfulfilled.
Technology has of course brought us many amazing things, but it has also brought us so many unimportant things that continue to steal our time and make us feel like we wasted a lifetime watching cat videos.
Recently I’ve taken a few steps to conquer this thing, that seems to have a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. So here we go!
Admit that you have no self-control
I’m telling you this with my whole heart. Self-control is overrated! So actually, admitting that you don’t have the self-control you tell yourself you have is the most important step. You have the need to click that link. When you start, there is no going back and the websites are not helping us, auto-playing the next video or showing you all kinds of interesting articles to read next. You don’t have what it takes to stop yourself, till way to late, after spending way too much time in that loophole.
Design your environment to your advantage
This article sums it well up! Our choice of what we do is highly influenced on our environment, and making it easier for us to do the stuff that is good for us, than the stuff that is bad for us, is a good start. I have changed the whole set-up of my phone, putting Pocket on my front page, where I’ll read all kinds of nice articles, meanwhile Instagram and Facebook are hidden away in a folder far back called “Timewasters”. And it works! The past week I’ve read more articles and spent way less time scrolling up and down social media (where you always end up seeing the same things over and over again and get bored anyway!).
Do you need all these notifications?
This is possibly my most powerful change so far. I turned off ALL notifications on my phone. Yes, all. Now my phone only makes a sound if somebody calls me or an alarm goes off. And how refreshing it is! Yes, maybe I’m not as up-to-date as I used to. I probably answer messages later than before, but does it matter? If there is something that needs to be fixed right away people will call me. I do not need to answer all messages and emails instantly! (or check out the “this one posted this!” meaningless notifications from some other apps). Which brings me to the next point.
Do you need to have your phone by your side all the time?
At this very moment, my phone is right next to me. It would take me less than a second to grab it. Why? I don’t know really, I don’t have any notifications anymore and I can see the time on my computer. There is absolutely no need for my phone there. Would it be so horrible if I needed to stand up to answer, if so would happen that anyone would call me? Don’t you think that because my phone is so close I am more likely to open it just to do something, just anything, to procrastinate a little bit? I believe so. Or I know it because before when I was attempting to study, I was constantly opening my no-notification phone, and I know I would never walked across the room to do the exact same thing. (And the fact that I had Messenger open on my computer made this all the weirder, there was absolutely no need for my phone there, habits have immense power!).
Take some time without the internet
I would not be writing this article right now if I had the change to meaninglessly scroll up and down Facebook, that is a fact! So, make some rules and stick to them. From now on I turn off the internet on my computer and phone at 9 pm. You could look at this as something bad, that you are taking something away from you, but I see it the other way. I am giving myself time. Time to do whatever I want, for myself. I will write, I will read, I will crochet, I will yoga and I will, without a doubt, go to bed earlier. This internet-free time will not be broken until tomorrow morning, AFTER I’ve gone out of bed, done my yoga and gotten dressed. (That is the biggest trap I fall into, and hours can pass on my phone in the morning, without me leaving the bed).
If needed, make drastic measures
Imagine taking a whole day without internet. What would you do? I know that a day without the internet would be a very productive day for me, that is if I don’t need the internet to achieve these things. As a Masters student, I don’t have the time (yet!) to take a whole day without the internet or technology in general, but this will happen, I’ve promised myself that. If you have the chance, challenge yourself to an internet free day, and see what happens! I´m sure you won’t regret it.
Use technology to your advantage
Ironically, there are a lot of options out there to use technology to stay away from it. Currently I am using a Chrome plug-in that will block access to the web at 9 pm, and that way help me to keep to my promise. I literally cannot access the web until 8 am tomorrow morning, which feels quite relaxing, actually. It can feel very relieving to disconnect from time to time, making time for other things. That leads me to the last point.
Connect to actual, real-life people
Try to do more of actual meet-ups with the people you love in your life. And when technology is needed, use video calls or voice messages instead of writing. Make an effort to connect, using the internet to your advantage. Feel blessed to be connected to all these beautiful people just one click away, but at the same time be mindful of how the social media is affecting you, making sure that you feel more connected, not less.
Well if you reached the end of this post, congratulations! Thank you for staying with me all this time, apparently, I had much more to say about this subject than I expected to.
So over to you! How is your experience of technology, and how do you make sure that you control it, rather than it controlling you?
[Free ebook] Stop worrying whether you’re doing a pose right, or if you are doing something that will eventually require a few trips to the emergency room. 🚑
Download our free yoga form guide — over 50 yoga poses broken down with pictures.
49 Comments
Amanda Sides
May 5, 2017 at 4:04 pmI grow so weary of being online. I’d like to move more of my work offline again. 🙂 I rarely have my phone beside me, and I don’t have any notifications set up. But still, I’m online every day to work!
Bu
May 5, 2017 at 7:56 pmThanks, Pála! I always enjoy your work. 🙂
This is a subject close to my heart and finding my perfect balance is a rewarding, on-going journey. Like yoga!
Pála Margrét
May 11, 2017 at 8:14 pmThank you for your kind words 🙂
Flee
June 29, 2019 at 8:13 amEvenings and with my daughter and most part of the weekend are technology free for me .I got rid of my data plan on my phone, helps me “not to look down” and save some dollar in the process because when “we become slaves to the technology we mastered” our lives become so much less richer!
Rick
October 15, 2019 at 6:32 pmYou’ve got a valid point. Like I could spend hours on my phone in the morning without leaving the bed until I remember I’m running late for something then I begin running around with a super speed trying to get everything done and still forgetting some things later. It’s just unfair that so many unimportant things continue to steal our time on the internet as these things will most probably not add anything to us.
AKAYEZU
October 31, 2019 at 5:42 amThank you for this 8 ways it really worked!
Maairobot
February 1, 2020 at 1:55 pmNowadays everyone seems to be connected to a smartphone. i still have a regular mobile phone, without an app. i notice that more and more people find it interesting that i can do without a smartphone. hopefully i’ll inspire people who also want to get out of the digital web!
lisa
April 8, 2020 at 5:11 amI start running round with a exquisite pace seeking to get the whole thing accomplished and nevertheless forgetting a few matters later. It’s simply unfair that so many unimportant things maintain to scouse borrow our time at the internet as this stuff will maximum possibly no longer upload whatever to us. Click here for more information bout technology.
lisa
May 28, 2020 at 4:34 amI am still a little bit skeptical about digesting nanomaterials, using it on your skin, etc. However so far there are no harmful side-effects. Truth be told quite the opposite. So far nanomaterials like these are often used in an industrial area but soon they are gonna be everywhere. From electronics to medical to cosmetics.student laptops
lisa
June 27, 2020 at 2:58 amI feel like I had I’ve become way more reliant on technology over the past few years…these days, between school and blogging, I’m literally on my computer ALL the time, and like you, and there are few things more nightmarish than forgetting my phone at home.tech
lisa
June 28, 2020 at 8:13 amI feel like I had I’ve become way more reliant on technology over the past few years…these days, between school and blogging, I’m literally on my computer ALL the time, and like you, and there are few things more nightmarish than forgetting my phone at home.
lisa
July 4, 2020 at 1:13 pmIt totally changed the way I use technology and now I’m always on it – when walking, when waiting in line somewhere, at the gym.it’s getting to be too much! Thanks for the reminder to put it away and live in the present.
lisa
July 4, 2020 at 1:13 pmHi, It totally changed the way I use technology and now I’m always on it – when walking, when waiting in line somewhere, at the gym.it’s getting to be too much! Thanks for the reminder to put it away and live in the present.
lisa
July 4, 2020 at 1:15 pmHello, It totally changed the way I use technology and now I’m always on it – when walking, when waiting in line somewhere, at the gym.it’s getting to be too much! Thanks for the reminder to put it away and live in the present.Lisa
lisa
July 16, 2020 at 1:56 pmTech has impacted our way of living nowadays big time. There are a lot of benefits we can get from there, but as great as those benefits are, we should also be aware of the danger they bring, no matter how minimal they are.bodrum kos feribot
jack
July 21, 2020 at 1:02 pmI turned off my device and only left my email open on my laptop to check once a day for any important information. They were fun as I even had time for myself and my family. It gave me time to unwind and think things through. Not to mention that my eyes weren’t red at the end of the day. iPhone
lisa
July 28, 2020 at 2:44 pmI feel like I had I’ve become way more reliant on technology over the past few years…these days, between school and blogging, I’m literally on my computer ALL the time, and like you, and there are few things more nightmarish than forgetting my phone at home.Laptops
lisa
August 13, 2020 at 11:58 amStudents nowadays have more access to important information than ever, meaning that technology has opened up a whole new set of opportunities for them to learn. For more Check here
lisa
August 14, 2020 at 7:16 amCalled it. I fully expected that to be so. I don’t know why so many products LOOK flipping awesome but function like trash. Then again, I’d be really sad when the buttons wore out on me, anyway. Visit here
lisa
September 16, 2020 at 5:59 amInteresting to see your views on the Sherpa. I recently reviewed the Voltaic Systems’ 72W solution on my trip to northern Ethiopia and my final comments were less about the quality of the panel and battery (which was very good) but more about the ancillary bits. In my case the travel camera battery charger was so cheap that it failed early on and that would have been catastrophic had it nor been for someone else having a USB charger to hand.Best Computer for Trading Stocks
lisa
September 22, 2020 at 1:24 pmAccording to my point of view, children’s museums and museums, in general, are overlooked. We started taking Mason to the Pember Museum in Granville to see the animals every few months because he loves seeing the stuffed bear and the birds.Best Budget Laptop for Adobe Creative Cloud
lisa
September 27, 2020 at 11:47 amI’d like to move more of my work offline again. 🙂 I rarely have my phone beside me, and I don’t have any notifications set up. But still, I’m online every day to work!Best Laptops for Realtors and Real Estate Agents
lisa
September 30, 2020 at 3:32 pmHi, I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy.Best 4K Gaming Laptops
lisa
October 13, 2020 at 6:40 amI experience your web page furthermore practising and beneficial opinion. it is protected enormously handy calculation as soon as a variety of our assets.thanks for element. i enjoy this make acknowledged.Phuket Budget Trip From India
Lora
November 2, 2020 at 5:22 amInvest in a comfortable and quality mattress, pillows, and bedspread. That’s an incredibly easy thing to do for such a big payout. Staying active and working out not only relieves stress and can make you happier, but it can also prepare your body for sleep at the end of the day. come up with something that prepares you to relax, wind down, and even makes you excited to hit the hay.
investran
lisa
November 20, 2020 at 8:57 amReally, it’s very good. I learned a lot about this. Technology is becoming more and more advanced, and every year we are gifted with new and improved tech that makes our lives easier and safer. If you’re not too sure of what’s available, it’s a good idea to have a look at the latest technology. For more visit shimeji-ee.com
lisa
November 27, 2020 at 3:54 amI think technology is an important part of our life. Technology has impacted our way of living nowadays big time. There are a lot of benefits we can get from there, but as great as those benefits are, we should also be aware of the danger they bring, no matter how minimal they are. Tech
lisa
January 15, 2021 at 1:15 amIt affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With mobile and other wireless devices like the IoT becoming an increasing requirement across every industry today, it only makes sense that our schools are also effectively deploying Android mobile technology in the classroom.
lisa
January 15, 2021 at 2:40 amGreat post! I started not using my phone before bead a few months ago and it’s so much more relaxing. I try to limit how much I use it during the day too. It’s hard when you work from home, but I really try to get up and get out of the office for a few hours each day.Web Design Agency
lisa
February 14, 2021 at 1:05 amTechnology has impacted our way of living nowadays big time. There are a lot of benefits we can get from there, but as great as those benefits are, we should also be aware of the danger they bring, no matter how minimal they are. For more visit infrastructure
lisa
February 20, 2021 at 2:59 pmTechnology has impacted our way of living nowadays big time. There are a lot of benefits we can get from there, but as great as those benefits are, we should also be aware of the danger they bring, no matter how minimal they are. For more visit Abiy Ahmed.
lisa
March 2, 2021 at 3:57 amello, I think technology is an important part of our life. Technology has impacted our way of living nowadays big time. There are a lot of benefits we can get from there, but as great as those benefits are, we should also be aware of the danger they bring, no matter how minimal they are. Screenshot software
expert
April 5, 2021 at 2:51 pmPeople now a days find it funny to check the computer’s work, but it’s often a smart move to do it from time to time, due to roundoff errors, truncation errors and such. Especially when working with differentials and approximations to complex functions. รถยนต์มือสอง
lisa
October 10, 2021 at 3:07 pmHi,
First we need to get rid of entrapment, qualified immunity, and asset forfeiture. The exclusionary rule is a great start, but it’s nothing if there’s still qualified immunity.iPhone 13 Pro
Ben
October 19, 2021 at 8:50 amWhat an awesome writer you are, thanks for the tips its working.
lisa
October 24, 2021 at 9:45 amI feel like I had I’ve become way more reliant on technology over the past few years…these days, between school and blogging, I’m literally on my computer ALL the time, and like you, and there are few things more nightmarish than forgetting my phone at home.facial recognition technology
lisa
December 25, 2021 at 2:21 amI have forte a lot better but there is surely room for improvement! I feel like an old lady shaking my cane at a young whippersnapper when I say this, but what I wouldn’t give to have people in my real, every day, non virtual life who make it necessary not to spend all my time plugged in.IT company Durban
lisa
March 8, 2022 at 1:39 pmI think The modern-day technological improvements available are awesome and very helpful, in particular for busy human beings. For me, I like Digit, however such as you, I additionally nonetheless like to reconcile my accounts by using hand in line with month.ytmp4
What steps can people or society take to cope with technology overload? - Askinground
April 17, 2022 at 10:11 am[…] Click here to see full answer ! […]
lisa
June 14, 2022 at 4:16 amHi,
Technology has been a revolutionary thing over the past few years, allowing us to do many things once thought impossible. We can work from home; we can make phone calls from the grocery store has enabled us to use our household wireless internet connection on our laptop to send e-mails while we catch up on our favorite TV shows
lisa
June 14, 2022 at 4:20 amI use technology and now I’m always on it – when walking, when waiting in line somewhere, at the gym.it’s getting to be too much! Thanks for the reminder to put it away and live in the present.computer support Durban
Austin Murphy
July 25, 2022 at 5:03 amNice article
Adam R
August 26, 2022 at 1:02 pmCheck out the links below if you’re curious about Little Towns in the State of Florida Most Adorable Little Towns in the State of Florida blog.
lisa
October 25, 2022 at 1:35 pmTechnology offers plenty of opportunities for businesses to make things like marketing and managing a team easier. But with so many different tech tools out there, it can be difficult.Led display rental
Yusuf Suhaib
December 26, 2022 at 4:38 amThis is really an informative blog! Thanks for sharing! Islami lecture .
Yusuf Suhaib
March 1, 2023 at 1:01 pmwow superb dear nice also very nice post Birth & Death Of Angel Jibreel .
Emma
April 1, 2023 at 10:20 amTake steps to set boundaries with technology, including turning off notifications, scheduling regular breaks from devices, and avoiding screens close to bedtime.
Cloud consulting companies frenso
Lisa
May 8, 2023 at 1:16 pmMy relationship with technology underwent a significant transformation, and now it has become an ever-present aspect of my life. It follows me around incessantly, whether I’m strolling down the street, queuing up for something, or even while working out at the gym. Frankly, I find it overwhelming at times. Therefore, I appreciate your reminder to set it aside and be present in the moment.Free Backlink Checker
Lisa
June 10, 2023 at 12:19 amThe technological progress we have witnessed in recent times is undeniably remarkable and holds immense practicality, particularly for individuals leading hectic lives. Speaking from my own experience, I find applications such as Digit to be incredibly beneficial. Nevertheless, similar to your approach, I still opt for manually reconciling my accounts on a monthly basis.iPhone repair Karachi near me