Digital Awareness in During COVID19 Crisis
Addressing Social and emotional wellbeing during times of crisis.
**My comment on the virus will not address direct COVID health concerns, nor will it be a short checklist of things to avoid during this infected time.
As many of us are being told to stay home, self quarantine and self isolate as a protective measure, I would like to address the chemical response that our bodies are having as a reaction to these words.
“Isolation” and “quarantine” are fear words, and whether we are aware or not, our bodies are responding with fearful chemicals through our bloodstream. When we wake up, spend our day, and sign off at night, we are experiencing fear flowing through our bloodstreams.
Fear as a molecular compound.
This heightened chemical response not only has an effect on our biological state, it also affects our physical and mental state. When our body responds to fear, adrenaline starts pumping. Our shoulders tense up, and our mind starts to strategize emergency plans. One after the other. Fueled by fear.
We cannot control our body’s response to fear words. It is an automatic response released from our brain to protect us from perceived threat.
What we can do is:
Accept and acknowledge the fear being induced
Notice the physical responses experienced, and the immediate actions we take as a response.
Honor and address any other emotions that come up in that moment.
Once we’ve address this fear, biologically, physically, and emotionally, we can begin to bring our attention to the impact it is having on us socially. Closing stores, restaurants, events, and shows, is affecting how we will socialize and interact with one another.
This is not something to be ignored. Human beings need social interaction. It is critical for our wellbeing. Luckily we exist in a world with connectivity from one edge of the earth to the other.
Is digital connection ideal? No, not always. But is it as important now more than ever? Yes.
Using technology to connect to our friends, loved ones, neighbors, and our respective communities is not only important, it’s cost efficient .
But there is a catch.
Keep in mind, social media is home to both social interactions, and digital media. Notice how your usage is impacting your social and emotional wellbeing, especially during times of crisis.
Connecting to friends and loved ones on social media sites like Facebook is costing you more than you know. Facebook has been identified as a website whose algorithm works to keep your attention hooked. Like many other social media sites, this algorithm shows you news, notifications and updates from algorithm selected calculations that is proven to keep you on screen longer.
Here are the dangers to keep in mind.
The amount of time we spend on screen matters. Especially when most of what we are consuming is fear inducing. (See above)
Hours spent on screen, is hours neglected off screen. This usually excludes crucial moments for your overall health and wellbeing, time with family, enjoying nature, and resetting your mental state (i.e. getting grounded, and finding peace)
Offering immediate satisfaction, Facebook is designed to stimulate the emotional response of its users by inducing dopamine from likes, comments, or other social interactions from posts and shares. If we’re not careful, our tendency to log on to Facebook, and “just check” becomes more of a safety habit, or dopamine addiction mechanism, then it is a simple task.
Distraction from work. Not to say this would be a new phenomenon, but with increased activity on Facebook, and other social media sites, we are being drawn to the scene of the crime, with more frequency, and with more shock value. Do yourself, and your teams a favor, delete problem apps off of your phone, and use time management apps if you have to.
Most importantly…
5. Draw a line between Social and Media. For many of us, we are finding refuge in facebook communities, groups, and positive shares. Thank g-d for this. However, in between these moments of genuine connection, there are hidden threats of media propaganda. Be aware of your time spent. How are you using the site? Are you connecting positively, or are you allowing the floodgates of fear be perpetrated by click bait and slanted media?
This moment is more crucial than ever to #strirkeabalance between genuine connection, and chemically induced satisfaction. As humans, we all experience these challenges. For most of us, it seems out of our control. I’m here to share with you, that you DO have the ability to #bepowerful in these moments.
Remember to …
Take a step back.
Use the telephone.
Make a list of loved ones and friends and call them.
Be responsible,
and share only what you wish you see in the world.
With love, light and intention.
Yours Truly,
Alexa Eden
@alexa.eden