Hello Everyone in this Amazing community,
Here is another mind boggling Topic, I find myself deeply in thoughts while replying the prompt: Nowadays we are so deeply Immersed in the digital world that we tend to neglect ourselves and people that truly matters in our Hand, In my thoughts I noticed that the digital world is so enticing and addictive, and because of this, we are gradually loosing touch with Humanity and Nature in itself.
I will always remember the day when I realized I had been staring at a screen for a longer period of time than actually looking into the eyes of people I cared about. That was a wake-up call- I analyzed my behavior and acknowledged the painful reality that I was neglecting meaningful relationships for the sake of convenience and connectivity.
For me not only that raises a concern, other factors like the time Used or Utilized, resources involved like data, charging of phones, lacking essential communication skills and many more.
Upon further self reflection, I started realizing that I was not alone. We live in an era where connecting with people was never easier, but technology has also created a culture of isolation and familial disconnection, it's a very crazy reality.
If you don't actually believe me, let's look at the advantages and disadvantages.
The Benefits of Physical Connection
All of this made me understand that human connection is a fundamental part of our well-being. When we spend time with people in real life, we enjoy the following benefits:
Stronger empathy and understanding: We capture soft signals like body language and tone of voice which helps us grasp each other's thoughts and feelings better, trust me nothing can replace those humanly features.
Release of oxytocin and dopamine: Social engagement and physical touch releases oxytocin and dopamine which lifts our mood, making us feel more connected, we feel like a part of someone's life is in us, the memories we had physically is very strong.
Advanced psychological wellbeing: This one might sound funny 🤣 but Studies suggest that individuals who engage more in face to face social interactions, tend to have goodmental health and are less prone to depression.
What about The Disadvantages of Digital Connection
While technology can be good, it can also be really bad:
It causes Social isolation*: When we interact with others through screens, we can feel cut off and alone.
Many times we loose focus*: You can’t concentrate or engage in deep conversations because you’re always bombarded with notifications. Someone like usually run away from Facebook and Instagram because of constant distractions
Miscommunication and misunderstandings*:
Digital communication lacks nonverbal cues which can cause miscommunication and misunderstandings
But for real how do we actually Find a Balance
So how do we maintain our online and offline connections? Here are a few of the things I’ve been doing:
I usually Make time for in-person connections.
I make time for regular in-person connections with friends, family, and colleagues.Restrict communication via technology: I set limits on my use of technology, such as turning off notifications or limiting time spent on my devices.
Combining in-person and digital interactions: I use digital technology to connect with others between in-person meetings or to connect with people who live far away.
Conclusion
Now, I look back at my experience and see that balancing digital and physical connection is vital for our health not only health but our world. By prioritizing in-person connections and setting boundaries with digital communication, we can nurture our relationships, improve our mental health, and find a sense of belonging in a digital world. I also restrain myself from staying too long in a the digital world.