Social Media Advisory

In today's world where people seem to be glued to a screen from wake to sleep, and where social media replaces interpersonal relations, one can only wonder how we got there.

As a blogger, I am the first to admit that I spend way too much time connected online. However, given current social habits, I feel as though I don't have a choice if I want to share with you my opinions. In an era where blogs are replacing personal journals and in which the term "too much information " is no longer relevant, the uninitiated or those who are not yet enslaved by technology can easily get lost and confused. And those in the know, become addicts to digital contact and content.

So what can be done about this? My first suggestion would be to impose yourself a disconnect time on a regular basis. Be it every day or once a week, reserve yourself some downtime. Ideally, shut down all of your connected devices and partake in an activity that you enjoy and that has nothing to do with either your routine or your digital activity.

This is very important for you so that you can decompress, rest and bring some diversity to your life. There are many benefits to doing this.

At first it may be very challenging and may seem daunting but the reward is worth it. Here are a few ideas for you;

1. Once you get home, put your phone and tablet in your office and don't use them until the next day.

2. Rather than using the alarm on your phone, use an old school alarm clock and do not let your digital devices into your bedroom.

3. On the commute to work, if you are not driving, read a free newspaper or book rather than checking emails or social networks.

4. If you use your phone as a music player during exercises or while training, put it in Airplane Mode, or get a cheap mp3 player and leave your phone at home.

5. Challenge yourself to invent or introduce a new activity to the kids in order to get them off the TV or video games for a few hours.

6. Spend a day in a no coverage area.

The bottom line is that as much as it is a great benefit to it, digital content cannot be allowed to take over or control our lives and actions. If this was to happen, we will risk losing our identities and unique personality traits to become robots.