Pillars of Digital Wellbeing by Pamela Andrea

Physical health

p_mes45 — 2024-05-16 17:07:23 UTC

I am fully aware that having a sedentary lifestyle can lead to serious consequences for my health. For that reason, for quite some time now, I have included a physical activity that makes me happy and active. I ride a bike every day when I go to Britanico to dictate my one and only face-to-face class at 4:00 pm.

Solution :

I will definitely keep riding a bike because it helps me maintain a certain balance between the time I spend in front of the screen and the time I move. Besides, it improves cardiovascular health, reduces stress, and encourages better posture, among other benefits.

Mental Health

p_mes45 — 2024-05-17 03:51:31 UTC

Even though I rarely share things about my personal life on social media, I must admit that I spend too much time checking what others share to the point of being negatively affected. Sometimes, I find myself comparing my life to theirs or feeling more concerned about their lives than my own.

Solution:

First of all, it is essential to recognise my feelings and their cause to take action. For instance, I must take control of the time I spend on social media and significantly reduce it, opting for real-life interactions. Visiting my friends, going out , and chatting about what I feel can help me overcome this toxic period.

Spiritual health

p_mes45 — 2024-05-17 04:33:55 UTC

It is true that technology has facilitated various aspects of my life. For instance, teaching online allows me to stay at home, wear more comfortable clothes, and somehow be in the company of the people I love. However, being realistic, when I work from home, I spend more than seven hours in a room using my laptop. After a lesson finishes, I tend to 'relax' by using my mobile phone instead of truly being present for my family, including my pets.

Solution:

I need to "switch off" from technology and get some peace and love. For example, I should spend more time with my pets, as I know they can be emotionally rewarding. But sometimes, due to stress, I just ignore them.

Social health

p_mes45 — 2024-05-17 04:50:14 UTC

I have never been much of a people person, but I managed to build a small, strong group of friends at university and at Britanico. However, due to the pandemic and the shift to online lessons, my socializing habits changed. I got used to using WhatsApp or Zoom to 'catch up.' As time passed, we found ourselves with less time to talk due to our personal and professional responsibilities, and the phrase 'I don't have time' became a common refrain in my speech, to which my friends also got accustomed.

Solution:

I must set aside time to talk with friends in person, try to balance my work and personal life, accept and extend invitations from friends to eat out or have a drink more frequently, and finally, "catch up and have fun."

Intellectual health

p_mes45 — 2024-05-17 05:03:55 UTC

Nowadays, there are lots of websites and apps that facilitate my responsibilities, which has caused my brain not to work the way it used to. In other words, I stopped doing some activities that could benefit my brain function.

Solution:

I should opt for "traditional" activities such as taking notes by hand using a journal, reading physical books, and using games and puzzles.

Privacy and safety

p_mes45 — 2024-05-17 05:17:06 UTC