Technological advancements bring with both the good and the bad. On the positive side, there is no doubt that technology has brought truly awesome advancements to our day-to-day lives. From convenience and efficiency, safety and life-saving features, to entertainment and information, technology has transformed modern-day living. But, viewed more critically, the near constant presence of technology has also taken control of our behavior, defining how we act, when instead, we should be strategically using technology to improve ourselves.

Make a habit of reflecting on your personal technology use, self-selecting the very best that technology has to offer, instead of acquiescing to the ever present shortcuts that result in less physical activity and less quality and face-to-face interactions with friends and family.

After all, technology isn’t the bad guy; it’s how we use technology that is the problem. So, it’s up to each of us to routinely take a step back and assess our technology usage and see not only where we can trim the overuse but how we can use technology to work towards even greater versions of ourselves.

HEALTHY TECHNOLOGY HABITS

  • Don’t use your phone when driving. Killing a stranger or someone you love is never a good idea.
  • Don’t let technology limit your sleep. Keep your phones out of the bedroom.
  • Limit your day-to-day technology distractions by tailoring notifications.
  • Manage friends, family and work expectations about technology response time.
  • Use social media to be social, and reduce your time spent there if it becomes a negative experience.
  • Intentionally, create time to disconnect and enjoy quality time spent alone and with others.

HEALTHY TECHNOLOGY USE SUGGESTIONS

  • Use Technology To Get Outside More: From Pokémon Go and Walking Dead augmented reality games to a huge selection of running, walking, biking exercise apps, technology gets you off the couch, out of the office and moving.
  • Use Technology To Track Your Health Stats: Exercise apps and dedicated health apps are designed to track your personalized health stats and goals. These technologies can alert you to health risks and also serve as motivation to get and stay active.
  • Use Technology As Your Health Coach: These same apps give your feedback as to your progress and provide tips to improve your results.
  • Use Technology To Make Exercise Fun: From setting your treadmill exercise program to visually taking you on a walk through the streets of Italy to joining a real-time spinning class led by an exercise professional, there are many ways to make time set aside for physical health into an entertaining activity.
  • Use Technology To Make Exercise Social: Many exercise apps allow you to share your benchmark results, as well as challenge other ‘tech and fit’ oriented friends and family members to join you in achieving a healthier new year.

Be present in your life, cultivating real-time relationships and healthy behaviors by actively taking control of your technology use. Stay in tune to the ways technology can make getting healthy a more engaging and entertaining activity. And when your kids see you having healthier relationship with technology, it will have a positive impact on them (without them even knowing!)

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