The internet, computers and smart devices dominate the way we live, work, communicate, access and store information, shop, entertain ourselves and more. But, as any 21st-century human knows, there\u2019s a downside to tech\u2019s ever-present stranglehold over our time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slaves to the machines
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Such hyper-connectedness to data, marketing, apps and other people has become invasive, stealing from the meaningfulness and joy of our personal lives, writes computer science professor Cal Newport in Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. The consequences of such information overload can include exhaustion, time poverty, stress, mood and relationship issues and feelings of inadequacy.
Originally embraced to make life easier, our apps, programs and devices have become our masters, Cal says. Managing plagues of data, upgrades, updates, notifications, emails and so on, we\u2019ve become slaves to the machines and digital distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applying a Zen approach to tech<\/h4>\n\n\n\n![\"Mindful](\"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/being\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2-2-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJust as Zen mindfulness has been applied to other aspects of our lifestyles \u2014 such as our household belongings \u2014 we can use it to gain back our lives from the control of tech. The goal is to extract the benefits and sidestep the negatives through more contemplative use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Awareness
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The first step is awareness that there\u2019s a problem. Pay attention to how you feel \u2014 any stress, irritation, overwhelm or other negative feelings. Perhaps you\u2019re experiencing physical symptoms, such as a sore back. What bugs you the most? Is it your inbox or social-media addiction? Problems with your computer\u2019s operation or something else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acceptance
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Know the difference between what you can\u2019t change and what you can. It may not be possible to go back in time to the days before the information age or buy a new device, but we can make changes that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-judging
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The solution to our tech stress isn\u2019t easy. So, don\u2019t judge yourself or others. It isn\u2019t a matter of weak will or stupidity. \u201cPeople don\u2019t succumb to screens because they\u2019re lazy,\u201d reveals Cal, \u201cbut instead because billions of dollars have been invested to make this outcome inevitable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Openness and beginner\u2019s mind
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Be open to and inquisitive about solutions. These may surprise you. It\u2019s not always what first comes to mind or what everyone else is touting or doing. Also, don\u2019t limit your ability to make changes on the basis that you\u2019re not \u201ctechie\u201d enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simplicity and minimalism
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\u201cDigital minimalism\u201d adapts the benefits of simplicity to tech. Cal recommends withdrawing from optional online activities for 30 days, then conducting a digital declutter to get rid of everything that doesn\u2019t add value to your life. The 30-day unplug helps you hone in on what tools you truly need. Also, minimise your time and tasks on tech. Cal advocates doing less to do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observation and attention
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Most of us flick from one screen to the next and, as such, the average person\u2019s tech life is a mess. David Levy, a computer scientist and author of Mindful Tech: How to Bring Balance to Our Digital Lives, suggests mastering email, social media, texting and so on, as you would cooking, music or any other skill. Such learning requires observation and attention. The result? The ability to create a tech world that serves us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presence and focus
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Our attentional choices have expanded, but our brain\u2019s capacity hasn\u2019t, David reminds us. Pin your focus on what you\u2019ve chosen to do in the current moment. Point to note: according to Cal, the ability to concentrate without distraction is becoming so rare that anyone who can put in deep work on their skill will be in demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Compassion to self and others
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cal recommends carving out high-quality leisure and self-care time to replace the habit of mindless device use many of us have fallen into. Being available online 24\/7 to others isn\u2019t caring to oneself. Cal argues that more time offline actually improves our relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cultivating all of the above philosophies will help you communicate more positively with others online as well as build a better relationship with your tech.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Linda Moon is a freelance health and lifestyle writer and qualified naturopath whose work explores how to be a happy, healthy human being.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJust as Zen mindfulness has been applied to other aspects of our lifestyles \u2014 such as our household belongings \u2014 we can use it to gain back our lives from the control of tech. The goal is to extract the benefits and sidestep the negatives through more contemplative use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Awareness
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The first step is awareness that there\u2019s a problem. Pay attention to how you feel \u2014 any stress, irritation, overwhelm or other negative feelings. Perhaps you\u2019re experiencing physical symptoms, such as a sore back. What bugs you the most? Is it your inbox or social-media addiction? Problems with your computer\u2019s operation or something else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acceptance
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Know the difference between what you can\u2019t change and what you can. It may not be possible to go back in time to the days before the information age or buy a new device, but we can make changes that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-judging
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The solution to our tech stress isn\u2019t easy. So, don\u2019t judge yourself or others. It isn\u2019t a matter of weak will or stupidity. \u201cPeople don\u2019t succumb to screens because they\u2019re lazy,\u201d reveals Cal, \u201cbut instead because billions of dollars have been invested to make this outcome inevitable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Openness and beginner\u2019s mind
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Be open to and inquisitive about solutions. These may surprise you. It\u2019s not always what first comes to mind or what everyone else is touting or doing. Also, don\u2019t limit your ability to make changes on the basis that you\u2019re not \u201ctechie\u201d enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simplicity and minimalism
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDigital minimalism\u201d adapts the benefits of simplicity to tech. Cal recommends withdrawing from optional online activities for 30 days, then conducting a digital declutter to get rid of everything that doesn\u2019t add value to your life. The 30-day unplug helps you hone in on what tools you truly need. Also, minimise your time and tasks on tech. Cal advocates doing less to do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observation and attention
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Most of us flick from one screen to the next and, as such, the average person\u2019s tech life is a mess. David Levy, a computer scientist and author of Mindful Tech: How to Bring Balance to Our Digital Lives, suggests mastering email, social media, texting and so on, as you would cooking, music or any other skill. Such learning requires observation and attention. The result? The ability to create a tech world that serves us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presence and focus
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Our attentional choices have expanded, but our brain\u2019s capacity hasn\u2019t, David reminds us. Pin your focus on what you\u2019ve chosen to do in the current moment. Point to note: according to Cal, the ability to concentrate without distraction is becoming so rare that anyone who can put in deep work on their skill will be in demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Compassion to self and others
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cal recommends carving out high-quality leisure and self-care time to replace the habit of mindless device use many of us have fallen into. Being available online 24\/7 to others isn\u2019t caring to oneself. Cal argues that more time offline actually improves our relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cultivating all of the above philosophies will help you communicate more positively with others online as well as build a better relationship with your tech.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Linda Moon is a freelance health and lifestyle writer and qualified naturopath whose work explores how to be a happy, healthy human being.<\/p>\n\n\n