Skill: Participate 4.1.3 Digital Health Quest

This Quest had me look at several habits have I have picked up over the last year or so when I do use my technology for personal or teaching use. Upon look at teh bad habits I have developed, I decided there were a few things that I could do to improve my health as it relates to using technology.

 Scheduled Actions:

• Only check school email related three times a day.  I often will just pick up my phone to 'check' email and will loose 30 minutes doing other things. 
• Work on my computer at my desk and not in my favorite easy chair :) This summer my easy chair has been my favorite place to 'work' but has also casued some pain in my wrist. Moving myself to my desk even though it is not as comfortable will helpfully help alleviate some of the pain I am having.
• Only work on the computer/tablet/smart phone for an hour at a time. During the summer, it is easy for me to get lost in my technology for a few hours a day. Setting my alarm for an hour and forcing myself to get up and move after an hour of inactivity will help me ensure that I am getting my steps for the day. I will set an alarm when I sit down to work, when it goes off either finish for the time being or get up and take1000 steps and then continue to work for another hour.
• Turn off computer and phones at 9 each night.  I think it is important to unplug and connect with my family. I am going to set an alarm on my phone so that I do not use it after 9. This will ensure that I am disconnecting from all the other 'stuff' and spending time with the people who are right in front of me.
• Download the app Moments - This will help me track how much time I am spending on my phone each day.

After Scheduled Actions for One Week

• Only check school related three times a day.  I spent less time checking email over all ( about 15 minutes). I was able to conserve energy in answering the same question once!
• Work on my computer at my desk and not in my favorite easy chair. Forcing myself to move to my desk and not stay in my easy chair has produced good results. My wrist does not hurt as much. Proper techniques in sitting down helps manage the overuse of the tendons in the wrist.
• Only work on the computer/tablet/smart phone for an hour at a time. Forcing myself to get up and move for 1000 steps after an hour of work defenity helped me reach my daily step goals. I reached my goals after I made sure I got up and moved
• Turn off computer and phones at 9 each night. Turning my electronic devices off at 9 has made me be more aware of the time I spend with my family.
• Download the app Moments -   I do not watch a lot of TV and so I think that I have low screen times away from work - so finding that I spent two hours some days on my phone was a real eye opener for me. 

 Before setting my alarm to only work for an hour then walk 1000 steps.

After setting my alarm to only work for an hour then walk 1000 steps.

Nightly alarms to turn off electronics. 

• What is the most proactive means of ensuring the most balanced blend of technology and well-being?
• What can students and teachers do to make sure they get the most from technology while simultaneously safeguarding good health?

One of the most important things that people can do is be aware of how much time they are on their technology.  All technology - computers, gaming devices, TVs, phones etc. Being aware is the first component to good digital health. I severely underestimated my time spent in front of a screen. By decreasing my time infront of a screen I am able to sleep better, have less headaches, and have had some great conversations with my family.

By being aware of this will help with our well being and making sure we are keeping a well balanced digital life. I found this video by David M. Levy helpful in how to bring balance to our digital lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mBzPhS04Z4