A Double Edge Sword

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t…

As I was setting up my laptop this morning to prepare for my telehealth sessions, I found myself feeling extremely grateful for the technology we have in 2020 that makes it possible for me to still meet with my clients. My next thought was how I am constantly asking my clients to decrease their screen time and to find coping skills beyond those that include using their phones. With that I let our a sigh and a shrug and signed on.

Cut to 10 minutes ago when I was re-reading my last post and gathering the resources I’d been planning to share with you in this one. Turns out that the content of my last post depends mostly on being in front of your screen, and the content for this post wasn’t going to be much different. Well, shoot.

It isn’t news that too much screen time is not a good thing. Besides messing with our circadian rhythm, our self esteem takes a hit with each social media account we follow, our anxiety peeks with each Breaking News Alert we receive. Interacting with others in person in our daily lives has taken a hit - why would I smile and make small talk with someone when I can watch videos of random dogs I’ll never meet (very bummed about this by the way, I need more dogs in my life).

But during such trying times when connecting with loved ones and keeping up with routines requires the internet, how can I continue to ask my clients to not use their phones? What can I ask of them when feeling isolated, or not feeling motivated to practice yoga without having a class to attend, or not borrowing books from the library aren’t options? It seems that when it comes to using technology, we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t.

We must find a way to practice moderation. I have found the Pomodoro Technique to be really helpful - it basically asks you to work on one thing for 25 minutes, and then to take a 5 minute break. So maybe you allow yourself 25 minutes to be on your phone, 5 minutes to take a break, and then you’re on to the next (non-tech) thing? It could be a start. Here’s a fun video that explains it better than I can: The Pomodoro Technique

With that, here are some options for your 25 minutes of screen time:

Live stream the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Jelly fish, sea otters, penguins, and even sharks - it’s a lot of fun!

Headspace is offering a few free meditations,  https://www.headspace.com/covid-19

And something to read: 5 Ways to Manage Anxiety Around the Coronavirus

Please stay safe and healthy, practice moderation - with everything! - and don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s any way I can support you.