Email, Slack, Facebook, Instagram, Outlook... are they supporting your wellbeing?

 

In our fast-paced digital world, we're often preoccupied with physical health—improving our diet, exercising more, and getting enough sleep. But how often do we step away from digital interruptions to reflect on our lives and check in with our emotional health? Taking time to consider whether we're on track with our hopes and dreams, and in touch with our true selves, is crucial. While physical wellness is important, taking time for a 'truth-check' might be the ultimate gauge of our wellbeing. 

 

To achieve this, consider dedicating 3 hours a week to step away from your inbox. (Yes, really!) Arm yourself with just a pen and notebook to really think and reflect on what's happened, what you've learned, and what needs to happen next. Use this time to notice where you are and whether you're truly happy, satisfied, and fulfilled with your current situation. 

 

Here's a radical idea: what if you only checked your inbox in-depth once a week? The rest of the time, you could simply 'pop in and out' for important filtered emails. Try turning off all prompts and reminders and spend more time actually speaking with people - you know, those individuals who sit near you in the same office, or who you could have an informal chat with on Teams/Zoom! 

 

For those using communication platforms like Slack, while they're great for replacing email in project management, they can also increase a stream of irrelevant always-on-ness. Are we reaching a point where we need to re-envision how we want to live in the digital world? Some argue that younger generations are already shifting their attention to other social media platforms. 

 

Has our addiction to social media dehumanized us and removed our being from the wellbeing in our worlds? It's a provocative question worth considering. 

 

By embracing even a few of these ideas, we might revolutionize our wellbeing. Is this approach completely insane or ahead of the game? As we ponder this, it's worth noting that those who've tried these methods report their inboxes reaching multi-year lows. 

 

What do you think? Are you ready to reassess your digital habits for the sake of your wellbeing?