CHECK Berlin #4

ENGLISH
PSYCHOLOGY
DIGITAL DETOX
NOW?
Especially during lockdown, the only way for many
people to stay in contact with the outside world is the
smartphone. In order to avoid a COVID-19 infection,
compulsive loneliness may be safer at the moment
than meeting in person as usual. But life in the digital
universe is definitely not healthy.
Foto: Nadia Snopek_stock.adobe.com
Even if it doesn‘t look like it at first, this, hopefully
the last, lockdown for the time being, is a good
time to rethink digital habits. - Find out why here.
SLEEP DISORDERS
Does this sound familiar? You lie in bed in the
evening, a film is on TV or on your tablet and you
write emails or browse social media at the same
time. But eventually, when you finally switch off
all devices, you somehow cannot sleep properly.
A study by the Lighting Research Center (LRC)
at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the US
shows that two hours of light from cell phone
or tablet displays lower the melatonin level by
22 percent. The hormone melatonin is normally
released at night and ensures that the body is
put into „sleep mode“.
TENSION
Excessive use of digital devices has a direct impact
on your health. Who hasn‘t had a headache
or neck pain after hunching over and staring at
a screen all day? A digital detox helps to break
such habits.
INNER UNREST
We can be reached at any time with digital
devices. But sometimes we need a break and
time just for ourselves. It is important to take
such breaks in order to hear yourself think again,
to listen to your own breathing, and to properly
reconnect your body and mind. We can also clear
up many of our problems and negative thoughts
in a dialogue with ourselves. So turn off the
phone and listen!
LESS EXERCISE
Overuse of technology makes us lazy and immobile.
We spend a long time in front of a screen or
looking at a smartphone when we could also go
for a walk or a yoga zoom class. It‘s also digital,
but at least you‘re doing something good for
yourself. There‘s not much else you can do at the
moment, but wouldn‘t it be great if you‘re fit and
trained after the lockdown?
RISK OF ADDICTION
Many digital devices, apps and services are
fun and make our lives easier. And used in
moderation, the technological achievement of
digitization immensely enriches us. It only becomes
a problem when you can no longer control
the use of digital devices and media. Similar to
a cigarette, alcohol, drug or gambling addiction,
digital addiction is creeping. For example, when
you unconsciously pick up your cell phone more
and more often, although you don‘t want to or
have to. Or when you can no longer concentrate
because you are constantly being distracted by
digital impulses. In such a case, a digital detox is
certainly a good idea. (ts,sw)
78 CHECK | AUSGABE 4