How Can We Overcome Digital Congestion?
The digital world is not one of the new parts of our lives, but with the pandemic, the true dimension of our digital habits and addiction has emerged. For many of us, the novelty of working from home quickly wore off. We tried to balance our personal and professional responsibilities while dealing with all the anxiety and isolation of a global pandemic.
The virtual nature of our daily lives has led to an alarming increase in “digital density,” and this doesn’t just include watching movies and scrolling through social media. Since remote working came into play, we have been relying entirely on digital tools to keep in touch with each other and get work done.
In a study conducted last year, Microsoft monitored the habits of 30 thousand users from 31 countries. The research states that users spend 148% more time in weekly online meetings, and the average user spends 42% more time chatting online after work hours and 200% more on weekends. Additionally, Microsoft says its customers received 40 billion more emails in February 2021 compared to February 2020.
All this time we spend connected to digital tools creates a cognitive load on our brain. Of course, there are some solutions that can help alleviate this digital intensity.
Practicing digital minimalism
In a world oversaturated with technology and digital tools, many people feel the desire to step back from it all, clear away all unnecessary digital clutter, and focus on what really matters. That’s what digital minimalism is all about: Living consciously with technology. To make sure you have time to spend on things that are meaningful to you, you need to eliminate all unnecessary digital tasks and activities that take up your time.
Think about all the apps you waste time surfing and delete the ones that don’t really contribute to you. Then, look at the distractions. This could be browsing unproductive websites or constantly receiving notifications on your phone that you don’t care about. Choosing what information you want and when is one of the most vital steps to countering digital overload.
Monitor your app usage
To be more mindful of your relationship with technology and understand which tools truly provide value, you need to be aware of how much you use them. Most people greatly underestimate the time they spend on their screens. Tracking how much time you spend on apps not only gives you a dose of reality, but also allows you to make use of your digital time. Once you know exactly how much time you spend on work or social apps and websites, you can start taking the necessary steps to manage it effectively.
Track all your working hours
When you work from home, it’s really easy to forget how many hours you’ve worked. An extra meeting, a missed lunch break, extra hours spent answering emails in the evenings… All of these things add up and if you don’t keep track of your time and capacity, you can find yourself feeling stressed and burnt out. Don’t forget to track your working hours accurately to strengthen your boundaries.
10-minute breaks can do wonders
When used correctly, something as simple as a 10-minute break can help reduce the effects of digital overload. Of course, you need to stay away from digital tools in this process. Activities that keep you away from screens and relax, such as meditation, stretching, or doodling on a piece of paper, can help you feel more energetic for the rest of the day.
