What do I do if I’m addicted to technology?
Posted By 
Blisspot Wellbeing in Spirit on
Best answer chosen by author
Knowing how to use technology is important for your well-being and in relation to maintaining positive social interactions. If you find you cannot control how much you are using technology and it is overtaking your life, set yourself limits regarding use of devices. Eg: not at all during social interactions and only twice at night.
Don’t use your technology as a distraction, as this can become a mindless habit. Take time to appreciate your surroundings and go out of your way to create and enjoy new experiences. Divert your mind to all the other things in your life that you feel grateful for that don’t involve technology. There is a beautiful world surrounding us. Recollect the things that add value and beauty to your life and bring and appreciate them.
Shut down your devices for periods of time to give yourself a break. Ensure that technology is not controlling you and that you are controlling it.
It can be so easy to fall into the habit of spending too much time online or on your phone. I agree with the idea that you should set yourself limits so that you can take control over what can often become a mindless habit!
I also suggest you find a hobby or passion that you find inherently rewarding and that you want to invest time and energy into. This hobby will be a differentially reinforced behaviour that requires time - time that you will therefore not spend online/ using technology!
If you feel like you need a real kick-start towards your goal of reducing your overall technology use, perhaps you should consider going o a technology 'detox' for a week or two. There are differing degrees of detoxing - perhaps you can start with using Facebook only twice a week for 2 hours in total, and only to respond to messages of those close to you. You can gradually spend less time online as you progress - this slow process will help your goal attainment feel more natural and less difficult.
Johan Muller on
