Solving Addictions to Technology

Cindy Velasquez

February 13, 2018

Academy for the Arts Science and Technology

Solving Addictions to Technology

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As technology continues to change, more people look for better ways to make their lives

effortless. Technology is known as to be a great source for information, creating videos, for

educational purposes and becomes useful when textbooks are not around. Due to technology

being used, many have impressingly become addicted and have exceeded the use of technology.

Addiction does not come just from overuse but also blocking out the world around us and

wanting an excessive amount. Therefore, how could technology cause problems for our health

and how can we solve it.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is simple activities to increase heart rate. Activities include riding a

bike, swimming, dancing, playing, or walking long distances. Physical activity is a great way to

become active, decrease anxiety, decrease depression, and great source of maintaining a balance

in our health. This also is seen to be a key component for a healthy lifestyle including nutrition

and diet.(Watson, etal.2012) Within minutes of going outside and being active you see results

such as happiness, becoming energetic, relieves stress, complications from family, and an

increase in heart rate. “Becoming active reduces the risk of type two diabetes, obesity and

decreases the chances of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown ninety-eight per cent of

participants who managed to lose weight modified their diet and 94% modified their physical

activity, suggesting that both are necessary for sustained weight loss.”(Watson, etal.,2012. page

84) It is important for anyone who demonstrates addictions to technology to become physically

active for these reasons. Start using time wisely, get active, get out and become physically

active!

Lower Depression with Yoga Therapy

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Several studies have show technology addiction to have a contributing factor to

depression. Depression symptoms are described as shy, moody, over-controlled, low mood, and

self-esteem and the feeling of inadequacy. Depression is a serious mental health concern that

affects learning process of students.(Anbarasu, etal, 2015) “Depression and other psychiatric

problems impair academic performance. It is a serious mental health concern that affects learning

process of children. Yoga helps students directly to hold his or her physical fitness, forces in

balance and indirectly to develop his or her mental powers.”(Anbarasu, etal., 2015, page 1)Yoga

is one of many treatments and solutions used to minimize stress levels. Yoga is known as one of

many therapeutic techniques in which patient is required to relax body, includes body

movements and a the use of breathing control for tranquility. Studies taken by The Department

of Psychology showed practicing yoga regularly helped to overcome depression symptoms and

thereby promoted psychological wellbeing and academic success among school

students.(Anbarasu,etal.2015) It is important for kids and teens to become aware of how a simple

step away from technology is a step closer to relief, happiness, more social time with family and

friends. Yoga does not require a lot of time but rather patience and relaxation.

Bed Time

As we know sleeping and bedtime is important for the body. During bed time your body

relaxes from stress, depression, anxiety, work and school. Too much technology has a damage to

the brain systems emotional processing, attention, and decision-making are affected; in some

ways, it can be as physically damaging as an addiction to alcohol and other drug use.(FDC

Prevention work. Teen Technology Addiction.2017) It is important to maintain good sleeping

habits. The earlier you go to bed the more your body feels relaxed, replenished and prepared for

the following day. Not enough sleep can cause sleep apnea, tiredness, headaches or migraines,
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and loss of appetite. “Even weight gain and other complications of a poor diet and sedentary

lifestyle, such as cardiovascular disease, may result. In-person social skills may deteriorate due

to the lack of sleep.”(FDC Prevention Work. Teen Technology Addiction., 2017, page 1) “It is

safe to claim that for many people, including adults, the end of the day is the moment they stop

using electronic media and go to bed. However, it seems that electronic media use is no longer

exclusively a daytime activity. It continues after lights out, often on portable devices such as

tablet computers or smart phones.”(Ashworth, etal., 2015, page 440) Instead of being on an

electronic device at night, place you device as far away far as possible, place on airplane mode or

shut it down. As parents it is important to teach our kids, plan on reading books before going to

bed and set a time on when everyone should go to bed; this way everyone is ready for a bright

day the following day.

The Importance of Limiting the use of Technology

Limiting the use of technology is important for several reasons one is for our health. Our

health defines who we are. By having good health our actions are shown. If we become active

and have enough sleep we become happier. Most importantly our heart becomes healthy if we do

exercise. By doing so we increase our heart rate, allow for blood flow through our body, and also

maintain a balance weight for our age, body type and height. Secondly, by limiting the use of

technology the ability to use social skills is improved. Social skills is important to maintain

confidence, demonstrates teamwork, use of body language and have positive attitude. Being able

to communicate with others and share feelings, emotions and similar traits allows for depression

to decrease, happiness, kindness and respectfulness to take place. One example of social skills

between family and child is by the child being able to have confidence and share with parents

any problems they may be having and lowering depression.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, addiction to technology should be recognized in household and it is

important for each family to have limitations for your family. Most importantly become athletic,

get active, show kindness, and enjoy your surrounding without the use of technology as much as

possible. Talk to your loved ones, share your problems get active together. Use yoga, physical

activities, sleep early; and spend time with friends, family and pets for a healthy lifestyle.
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CITATION:

Anbarasu, M., & Chandramohan, V. (2015). Yoga in the management of depression among
students. Indian Journal Of Positive Psychology, 6(4), 410-413

Ashworth, A., Hill, C. M., Karmiloff-Smith, A., & Dimitriou, D. (2015). The Importance of
Sleep: Attentional Problems in School-Aged Children With Down Syndrome and Williams
Syndrome. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 13(6), 455-471. doi:10.1080/15402002.2014.940107

FDC Prevention work. Teen Technology Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved February 02, 2018, from
http://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/fcd/teen-technology-addiction

Watson, R., & Benelam, B. (2012). Physical activity: the latest on its contribution to energy
balance and health. Nutrition Bulletin, 37(1), 78-85. doi:10.1111/j.1467-3010.2011.01953.x