Restore your digital and mental health

Email, social media, business documents, school reports, streaming services, productivity apps, the list goes on and on with the technologies we use in our daily lives. But at what cost? While phones and computers may simplify our lives, experts say spending too much time on these devices can activate our stress hormones and cause anxiety. It is more important now than ever to balance our digital and real lives.

Here are 7 ways to find some digital balance and make sure our computers work with us, not against us.

Tip #1: Accept Parental Controls
The pandemic has brought chaos to the whole family. It’s time to start setting new boundaries with your kids, making sure they don’t overuse unhealthy screen time or visit sites that are too mature for their young eyes. Consider using parental controls and locks to reduce your kids’ screen time and set healthy limits and protect them from apps, websites, and online video games that can be overwhelming for kids.

Install and deploy McAfee Multi Access to reduce the stress of your digital life by protecting your online privacy and identity while blocking virus, malware, spyware, and ransomware attacks. It’s not just antivirus software, it’s more reassuring.

Try McAfee Multi Access free for 30 days*

McAfee Multi Access protects up to five devices, including PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets. You’ll also receive warnings about dangerous websites and dangerous downloads. Lost your device? McAfee Multi Access allows you to locate, lock and wipe your data if your property is lost or stolen.

Protect what’s important to you. This award-winning software also has features to protect your kids, limit screen time and lock them in apps that aren’t suitable for young eyes.

As for keeping your software up to date, you won’t wonder if your technology is up to date: McAfee Multi Access makes them easy, and version updates happen automatically.

McAfee Multi Access takes your offline security as seriously as your online security; the stack includes what the company calls S.O.S. When you’re away from tech, you can lose track of time (and how much battery your device has left). McAfee Multi Access has you covered – the S.O.S setting automatically saves your device’s last position before it runs out of battery.

Sometimes you have to go online. This is understandable. Whether at work or school, McAfee Multi Access technology was developed to make surfing the web easier. how? When you use McAfee Multi Access, the software displays color-coded icons to indicate which web search results may install malicious code, phishing to gain user identities, or sending spam.

Cookies are for snack time, not your device – McAfee Multi Access deletes cookies and temporary files that track you online.

McAfee Multi Access is a software package that checks your wifi network and warns you before you connect to an unsecured network. Additionally, McAfee Multi Access automatically disconnects and notifies you when an attack is detected. You can also manage access points and tell the software which connections can always be connected and which should always be disconnected.

all your devices. all your stuff. are protected.

Try McAfee Multi Access free for 30 days*

Tip #2: Practice Digital Self-Care

Just 15 minutes of social media and then you can work on the project, right? No. Do it for 30 minutes. You already have 45 minutes, why not make it an even hour?

Except it’s a trap.

“Self-care can be technology on and off if you need it,” says clinical psychologist Jeffrey M. Cohen, Psy.D. Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “Self-care is turning off your computer at the end of the day, even if you have more work to do. Stop watching TV, put down your phone, and get off social media.”

Tip #3: Get (Meta)Physics
Physical and mental health are interconnected; stay away from the computer and develop healthy habits like meditation. Research shows that people who meditate are less likely to experience anxiety or depression.

“Do a self-soothing guided meditation or listen to an uplifting podcast,” wellness advocate Candy Washington told Yahoo Life. “The main thing to do is focus on what you can control while protecting your energy and space.”

Tip #4: Think About Sadness

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a specific category of depression as defined by the American Psychiatric Association. Compared to the “winter blues,” people with the disorder report a loss of energy, sleep too much, or feel worthless.

People who experience these symptoms often turn to technology to find a sense of calm — which can be shortsighted; increased technology use can actually make people cranky and irritable.

If you think you may be experiencing SAD, cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful, Cohen said. Another option is light therapy.

“Light therapy involves sitting in front of a light therapy box, which emits bright light (and filters out harmful UV rays),” explains Cohen. For those working from home, Cohen recommends replacing your home office.

“Try to put your workspace in an area with plenty of natural light,” says Cohen. “People can try opening all the blinds or curtains in the home to increase the amount of light.”

Tip #5: Turn off notifications

Unless you’re a brain surgeon or an air traffic controller, you probably don’t need notifications on your phone or browser. Research shows that these types of interruptions can lead to stress.

“Stress affects every part of our being: mind, body and spirit. It tends to make our minds less flexible,” said Seth J. Gillihan, director of therapy at the mental health app Bloom. ) told Yahoo Life. “The brain triggers the sympathetic nervous system to release adrenaline, so we get the urge for energy and activation. It also causes the release of cortisol, which further integrates our resources to deal with threats.”

Turn off all unnecessary alerts on your phone and computer; or if that’s not possible, check for notifications only during office hours.

Tip #6: Become a processor
News on digital, broadcast and streaming services can be grim and stressful.

Consuming media stories we find disturbing or disturbing affects our mental health. While it is important to understand current events, it is equally important to discern the difference between opinion and news.

“People often blame other people’s problems on their personal problems and think their own problems are caused by the situation,” explains Gillihan.

Redefining these ideas can help our digital experiences become more enjoyable and compassionate. “It would be helpful to remember some version of ‘there, but for God’s grace, I’m,” Gillhan said.

Tip #7: Prioritize People

dude. Stop binge-watching that true crime series and talking to people in real life. Time to meet face to face. When it comes to social media, reconsider groups or interactions that may actually be harmful to you.

“Some digital spaces can be really toxic and can affect a person’s mood and overall well-being,” says Dove Pressnall, a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Assess how you interact with technology – and be prepared to answer your questions honestly. Ask yourself “Is this connection or group good for me?” Presnar says.

Then turn the same question to your relationships. Ask yourself “How will [my digital habits] affect the rest of my life and relationships?” Presner says.

Then, make a plan. “Set boundaries with your online friends and colleagues that reflect the values ​​you hold about people in real life,” she said.