Last year, I watched The Social Dilemma, a documentary film that paints an alarming picture of how technology and social media shape our lives, on Netflix. The film features interviews with tech professionals including former Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest employees who discuss the risks technology and social media bring to our emotional and physical well-being, mental health, human rights, freedom, and democracy. Watch the trailer below.
Given the fact the film was released in the midst of a global pandemic, mass mobilizations for racial justice, a major U.S. presidential election, and a new socially distant school year, I think it is a MUST SEE! Why?
1) Because our society’s dependence on technology for connection, education, health and social services, consumer shopping, news, and entertainment has expanded tremendously.
2) Because the tech companies and social media platforms have a lot power, are not heavily regulated, and if left unchecked, can hurt our emotional and physical well-being, mental health, freedom, human rights, and democracy. Medical News Today addressed the following negative physical, emotional, and mental health effects of technology in a February 2020 article:
-Physical Health: eyestrain, poor posture (neck and back pain), poor brain development in children and teens, lack of sleep, and a sedentary lifestyle that reduces physical activity and contributes to obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and a premature death; and
-Emotional and Mental Health: anxiety, depression, isolation, loss of focus, digital distraction, and tech overload
After watching the film, I took a hard look at my digital life and habits and decided to recommit to my own digital wellness. I recommend you watch the film on Netflix this weekend or later this month. May it inspire you to use digital wellness practices to transform how you use technology and social media this year.
Need more help with digital wellness?
Visit the Thriving Mindfully Academy here for digital wellness resources.
Need coaching or training support for yourself and/or company or organization? Head on over to Ananda Leeke Consulting to learn how we can work together this year.
For me, Spring is about fresh starts, new beginnings, new ideas, and new possibilities. It is a time of rebirth and renewal.
I welcome Spring into my life as my second new year. I use the Spring Equinox to slow down, become still, breathe, and check in with myself while I practice mindful self-care. My Spring check-in gives me time and space to review what’s been happening during the first quarter of the year. During this time, I recommit to myself by setting intentions and planting seeds for the second, third, and fourth quarters of the year.
This year, my Spring season looks and feels different due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Instead of taking a mini Spring break, I find myself spending most of my days at home with limited physical interaction with others (social distancing is the new phrase). I also find myself spending more and more time online connecting with family and friends, using yoga and barre videos to workout, listening to music and podcasts, operating my business, working with and communicating with clients, and watching TV shows, movies, and videos.
Now that we are in the midst of COVID-19, what does your digital life look and feel like?
How much time are you and your loved ones spending online?
Do you feel overwhelmed by technology?
How are you taking care of yourself while you are working and communicating online?
Need mindful technology tips and resources including tips on how to create digital a wellness plan, set time boundaries on email and texting, unplug daily or weekly from your digital devices, and/or start a digital detox?
Check out the Thriving Mindfully Digital Wellness resources below.
My Mindful Technology Journey & Burnout
Learning how to use technology mindfully started when I began my career in digital communications as a knowledge manager for Hamilton Securities Group, Inc. in 1996. My struggles with overdosing on technology increased dramatically when I started using social media, a smartphone, a tablet, and a lap top in my home life, digital communications career in the nonprofit sector, and wellness company. I didn’t have a healthy plan for communicating with family and friends; working with clients; managing my websites and social media; creating and curating blog and video content; hosting and producing podcasts; leading and participating in online communities; listening to music and podcasts; and watching TV shows, movies, and videos.
When I experienced burnout and enlisted the support of my life coach, Yael Flusberg, I started to make changes in the way I use technology. The lessons I learned and the mindful tech self-care practices I discovered laid the foundation for the Thriving Mindfully Podcast’s Mindful Technology playlist below. Check out each episode and see what tips and resources work best for you. Use what you find to create your own digital wellness plan.
Resources for You: Mindful Technology Playlist
The Mindful Technology playlist includes nine podcast episodes that offer meditations and mindful tips on how to create a digital wellness plan, practice self-care with a digital detox and unplugging, and have a healthy relationship with email, social media, and technology. Click on the links below.
Here’s a bonus gift for you. A video of me sharing the Thriving Mindfully Academy’s recipe of weekly themes to inspire and help you practice mindful self-care Sunday through Saturday.
Join me for the Wellness Wednesday Meditation class on March 25th from 7-7:15 AM ET (held every Wednesday until April 29th) via Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/anandaleeke64.
Have you thought about how you want to live your life in 2020 and beyond?
Do you need support in planning out your year?
Looking for accountability?
I’d love to work with you! I love coaching and supporting people just like you who are committed to exploring mindfulness, meditation, and mindful self-care in their lives, careers, and business. My coaching areas include:
Mindfulness 101
Mindful Self-Care
Mindful Creativity
Mindful at Work
Mindful Communication
Mindful Leadership
Mindful Technology
Interested in exploring how we might work together to manifest your heart’s desires for your life, career, and/or business this year?
Fill out my client intake survey and then let’s set up a free 20-minute consultation call.
Click here to complete the survey. I will follow up with an email once you complete it.
I offer an hourly rate and three-month and six-month packages
National Day of Unplugging is almost here. It’s a golden opportunity to take a 24-hour break from your digital devices and reconnect to your life and loved ones in real time. What I just wrote may scare you, but if you answer YES to one or more of the questions below, I invite you to join me in UNPLUGGING for 24 hours on National Day of Unplugging. It starts at sundown on Friday, March 9, and ends at sundown on Saturday, March 10.
To get you ready for your 24-hour digital break, I have included six tips for creating mini unplug moments below.
When you wake up in the morning, don’t check your smartphone for texts, email, or social media updates. Instead start your day with a breathing exercise. Place your hand on your heart as you inhale and exhale through your nose seven times.
UNPLUG and eat your breakfast, lunch, or dinner without looking at your digital devices.
While you’re working during the day, UNPLUG from your digital devices and take a one-minute break by inhaling and exhaling through your nose three times.
During your morning and evening commutes, UNPLUG from your digital devices and take FIVE deep breaths (inhale and exhale through your nose) before you turn your car or motorcycle/scooter, start to bike, or when you sit down on public transportation.
Spend one UNPLUGGED evening without your digital devices. That means when you get home, you turn everything off or place the sound on mute until the next day.
UNPLUG before you go to sleep by placing your digital devices on mute in another room.
Listen to my #ThrivingMindfully Podcast playlist featuring nine podcast episodes that offer meditations and mindful tips on how to create a digital wellness plan, practice self-care with a digital detox and unplugging, and have a healthy relationship with email, social media, and technology.
Click here to learn more about my mindful technology offerings.
Contact me at ananda@anandaleeke.com to learn how you can work with me as a speaker for your next event, a trainer for your organization, a coach (one-on-one or group sessions) or a commentator for your radio show, podcast, blog, and article.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Don’t keep me a secret. Use the links below and share me with your network!
Looking for a great book to read? Check out my tech memoir, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online. It includes tips and exercises on how to unplug and use social media and technology mindfully.
The rapid growth of technology and social media over the past decade has changed the way we live and communicate. Most of us own or have access to at least one digital device. Many of us spend hours being connected to the them without knowing how our digital connection can have a negative impact on our physical and emotional well-being.
According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2017 Stress in America: Coping with Change report, more than four out of five adults in the U.S. (86 percent) constantly or often check their email, texts, and social media accounts. The APA report concluded that Americans’ attachment to their digital devices and constant use of technology are associated with higher stress levels.
Are you overwhelmed by texts, email, and social media at work and home?
Do you spend way too many hours using your smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or other digital device?
Are your eyes tired of looking at screens?
Does your neck, back, or hips hurt while you sit and work online?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out my Email, Social Media & Technology playlist. The playlist includes nine podcast episodes that offer meditations and mindful tips on how to create a digital wellness plan, practice self-care with a digital detox and unplugging, and have a healthy relationship with email, social media, and technology.
Need more mindfulness tips and information?
Check out my resources page with three free gifts created especially for you!
Click here to learn more about my mindful technology offerings.
Contact me at ananda@anandaleeke.com to learn how you can work with me as a speaker for your next event, trainer for your organization, or coach (one-on-one or group sessions). I look forward to hearing from you!
Looking for a great book to read? Check out my tech memoir, 
Ananda Leeke 