3 Ways Professionals can Improve Their Relationship with the Internet
The world runs online. There aren’t many jobs anymore that a professional can even do to get away from the internet. Even plumbers have paperwork online or take checks virtually. So much of what we do in the workplace is online. Yet, there seems to be a call for reform caused by the rise in mental health issues seemingly related to internet use. Whether it’s consumption through entertainment such as streaming or social media, or work-related tasks like putting together spreadsheets and writing press releases, we’ve become slaves to the digital world.
In this article, I want to provide you with three opportunities to how you can better create a healthy relationship with the digital world. After all, the internet should be a tool, not a lifestyle. Hopefully, you can implement one or all of these ideas in your daily work life to create a margin for yourself, in the real world, not the virtual one.
Put Your Phone Away
The thing I catch myself doing every single day in the office is looking at my phone. Every five minutes. If you’re reading this article, chances are you have a similar issue. You might not look at your phone all the time, but I guarantee it’s distracting from your work.
And maybe you have tried. You’ve set timers on your phone or created “do not disturb” screen time periods, but as long as the phone is on and within reach, it’s a distraction. Instead of putting screen time blocks on your phone that you’ll disregard, why not try turning it off and removing it from visibility? If you’re remote, consider placing your deactivated device in another room. In the office, it’s just as easy to place your phone in a drawer. As the old saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.”
An article written by Forbes about digital relationship best practices suggests actually scheduling times when your phone is available. If you manage social media like me, you’ll need your phone sometime during the day. It’ll take a little extra prep work, but why not schedule the work you’ll need your phone for within those blocked-out times?
Lastly, give yourself time to enjoy your phone. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the internet, chatting with friends, and catching up on the latest TikTok trends, just make sure it’s not hindering your productivity period.
2. Go Outside Periodically
The thing I struggle with more than anything else when it comes to working online is that I miss the day. The physical day. We live in a beautiful world, and we’ve gotten so addicted to the virtual world that we miss what’s happening right in front of us. So go outside every once in a while. Take a short walk and enjoy the day. Panda Security suggests in their “10 Ways to Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology” suggests detoxing from the online world. They say that stepping away from all the tech helps to build margin.
Especially working in the office, there’s a lot of pressure to stay inside and get work done. Instead of falling into that pit, give yourself a couple of times throughout the workday to step outside and take a breath of fresh air.
3. Socialize in the Real World
We spend so much time socializing online. We can connect with friends and family we don’t get to see, meet new people with similar interests, and we can even find intimate relationships online. That’s all great, but don’t forget that you’ve got folks right in front of you! If you work hybrid or fully in an office, ask someone to go on one of those micro walks with you. If that’s too much effort, just drop in on someone you work with and get some good conversation in. It’s good for team-building, and it’s great for the soul. Sure, there are plenty of us who are introverts. Even introverts need people. Maybe at the very least, go to the staff lounge or find a place where real people are and just be present.
For my remote workers out there, you aren’t alone. While the kids are at school and the wife is out of the house, you’re fully alone in your office space. If you find a natural slow spot in the day, my advice is the same: go find a place where people are and be there. I promise it’ll do wonders for you to just be with real people. The virtual ones will be there when you get back.
Don’t hear me say that the internet is bad. It’s not. In fact, I heavily advocate using software and testing new tech to continue improving your personal and professional life, that’s precisely why I’m suggesting you find a healthier balance. The internet isn’t going away. It’s only going to become more important in our daily lives. If we set proper boundaries now, we will only become more effective moving forward.
Mason Fridley
Mason Fridley is a senior from Anderson, Ind., majoring in public relations. Fridley is a senior associate with Fifth Street Communications®, a student-run public relations agency at Anderson University.