Exercise videos/tutorials are a positive way of using social media. Source: Essence Magazine
Ever heard the saying, “You are what you eat”? Well, the same applies to technology, you are what you consume.
By now we have established that taking time off screen is highly beneficial for you. But what about those times when screen time could be really good for you? Times like when you have been studying or working for a long time and need to wind down?
Yes, sometimes it is okay to reward yourself with some screen time. However, even then you have to be absolutely aware of what you are consuming and how you are consuming it. For example, you can treat yourself with some chocolate every now and again, but that does not mean you have to each the whole box at once! In the same way, it is okay to watch one or two episodes of your favorite series, but it is absolutely not okay to binge watch an entire season in one seating.
In addition to keeping track of your screen time, be very selective in what you consume. Try to find content that will positively contribute towards your well-being. For example, I know listening to a comedy podcast would do more to uplift my mood compared to watching celebrity Instagram stories.
As much as there is a lot of toxicity that ICT exposes us to, there are also many positive and healthy things available for us to consume. Here are some of my favorites:
YouTube workouts
I will admit that I am not much of an exercise freak. However, I have found that days started with exercise usually go well really well. Exercise has been proven to improve one’s mood by increasing the production of endorphins that induce positive feelings. My personal favorite is Sydney Cunnings’ 10 Minute Cardio Workout. I find these exercises nice and convenient because they are only ten minutes long, so it is something I can quickly do before I shower and get ready for class or when I take a quick study break.
Feel-good movies
Now these will differ from person-to-person. I love old school comedy classics such as Dude Where’s My Car (which I have seen like a thousand times) or Home Alone (also see it a thousand times). Watching comedy movies is good for your health, literally! Did you know that laughing immediately increases the blood flow to the heart? This is similar to what happens when you are doing aerobic exercises.
Playing games
One long-term study published in 2013 showed that children who played strategy-based games showed an improvement in problem-solving skills. Source: Google Play
Despite their bad reputation in many households, video games are a great way to unwind and learn (of course this also depends on the game itself). strategy-based games are said to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills which word puzzles and crosswords improved vocabulary. I have been playing Word Connect for years. I have lost count of all the words I have learnt from that game.
Once again, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. These activities might be helpful, but they can become toxic if they are overdone. Always keep track of how much time you spend on everything you do.
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