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4 ways to focus on reality, in a virtual world
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When so much of your life is spent online, how do you stay focused on what is going on outside the computer screen? Here are some ways to focus on the present while living in a virtual world. - photo by Megan Shauri
Megan Shauri
FamilyShare
Published: Sep 3, 2015, 6:49 AM
Our everyday lives are far different today than they were even 10 years ago. Now, much of our lives are spent online. Paying bills, searching for real estate, journaling, updating our loved ones on our activities, and full-time jobs can be done 100% via a computer or mobile device. So, with all the screen-time we get, how do we focus on non-virtual reality? How do we stay focused on what is going on around us, outside of the computer? Here are some ideas.

1. Take a break and disconnect.

A lot of people will go hours and hours online without getting up to eat, stretch, or go to the bathroom. Some people simply lose track of time. Others want to complete something fully before taking a break.

Dont do this.

Instead, if you're working online for example, set an alarm to go off at least every 3 hours. Get up. Take a walk outside without any electronics. Get yourself a snack. Stretch. Sit on your balcony. Drink some water. Just get away from the computer screen. Let your mind wander and think about non-virtual things like how you will spend your weekend, what you will give your mother for her birthday, or what fun things you can do with your kids when they are home from school. Make sure your break is at least 10 minutes.

2. Connect with your friends off the computer.

It is easy to stay in touch with friends through social media, but when was the last time you visited a friend? Social media cannot compete with sitting in someones house and having a face-to-face conversation. You get so much more out of seeing people, listening to them, and being able to laugh with them as you exchange stories, reminisce, and simply share your friendship. Take a look at your friend list and pick a few people to go visit in-person, call on the phone, or even send a nice little note to through the mail.

3. Be aware of those around you.

One of the biggest downfalls to having electronic devices is the temptation to use them while in the presence of others. If you are sitting in the same room or riding in the car with someone, try starting a conversation instead of scrolling through your news feed. If you hear someone talking, drop your phone and give him or her your full attention. You have a real person with you, probably in need of a real conversation; dont lose sight of that.

Another common occurrence for us parents is the temptation to bury our faces in our phones while our kids are playing on the playground. Just because our kids are not right beside us, does not mean they dont need our attention. Most kids want their parents to see them slide down the slide or climb up the jungle gym. While it may be okay to look at your phone every once in a while, dont forget where you are. Make sure you are paying attention to what your kids are doing, at the very least for their safety's sake.

4. Dont be a serial poster.

We all have those friends who literally put online everything they are doing: every meal they eat, every exercise routine they do, and every smile their child makes. If you are one of these people, try to limit your posts.

When we constantly think about what we will post online, we lose sight of what is going on around us. Instead of enjoying the moment, our minds are carefully wording our next status update. Instead of watching events unfold naturally, we pause what we are doing to take 10 photos of ourselves or our children to get the perfect shot to go with our thought-up caption.

This is not living life; but, rather, creating a false reality for others to see. Sure if your kids do something totally cute, get your camera out and snap a few pictures. But do not post the pictures online right away or even at all. Hold things back from social media. You'll avoid the trap of living your life through your posts, and you'll have something to talk about to others when you see them. If you post everything you do online, then there will be nothing new to share.

I happen to be married to someone who cannot stand social media sites, so I have been conscious of not hoping on them when he is around. Even if we are simply watching TV together, I resist the temptation to scroll through my phone (which can be especially hard when it is a show I am not interested in). This small effort on my part has made a big impact on my marriage. My husband appreciates that I am with him fully when we are togethernot only physically, but mentally as well. It keeps both of us in the present and helps us live in reality. Be aware of those around you when you find yourself using any kind of electronic device. They will appreciate it and perhaps even follow your lead.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Aug 13, 2018, 1:39 PM
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.