“Should we schedule a meeting on Google Meet then?”
“The lecturer has sent the link to the test to the group.”
“The webinar will be held on Zoom.”
“There’s going to be a prayer meeting via WhatsApp this evening.”
If you haven’t said or heard any of these statements, you’re definitely still living in 2006.
Online meetings had always been a thing but they gained more popularity with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several surveys have led to the discovery that the pandemic speeded the adoption of digital technology in recent years. Working from home, online religious services, and conferences have become common. Many organizations have increased their online operations and even weddings can be followed online these days.
With the way our world has been progressively digitalized, it is quite easy to become absorbed in the glow of our screens and lose contact with the real and solid connections that improve our lives. Technology, without a doubt, has reinvented the way we interact but it is important to recall that human connection is more than just the digital realm.
Through the convenience of social media and online communication tools, individuals from both near and far have been brought together to maintain relationships. We can however agree that these cannot fully replace face-to-face contact. We spend hours on the streets of social media texting, video chatting, binge-watching our favourite shows and emailing that we tend to neglect physical interactions. This can lead to loneliness, solitude and a weakened logic of community. It’s essential to strive to maintain a balance between the simulated and real life.
Research has proven that prolonged screen time can lead to increased stress levels, reduced attention span and reduced physical communication skills. The persistent outflow of curated and manipulated content on social media can also conjure unfeasible expectations and indulge consumerism-a social and economic system that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts.
Human connection is very important for our physical, social, psychological and emotional well-being. Face-to-face contact rouses the release of oxytocin – the cuddle hormone – which promotes feelings of trust, empathy and relaxation. Equally, social isolation and loneliness can have severe adverse effects on our physical and psychological health.
To reconnect with others, we must leave our screens and engage in deep, meaningful and physical conversations. Here are a few ways by which we can make efforts to connect with one another and foster deeper relationships beyond our digital screens:
- Participate In Shared Hobbies: Engage in outdoor activities such as sports, a community club, visiting an art gallery, the beach, volunteer work and paint and sip sessions.
- Plan Outdoor Events: Regularly schedule face-to-face outings brunch, cookouts, dinner or a picnic with family and friends. You can also go out to see a live concert or match.
- Create Boundaries: You can set boundaries and plan the amount of time you would normally spend with technology. Create tech-free zones and periods such as when you’re in bed or during mealtimes.
- Live In The Moment: Try to avoid distractions from social media and focus more on your physical environment. Learn to appreciate those around you and build strong connections.
- Be Vulnerable: Contrary to popular belief that vulnerability breeds weakness, it actually fosters deeper connections and trust when you are brave enough to share your thoughts, expressions, experiences and feelings with other people.
Making conscious efforts to connect beyond the digital realm will help us to foster deeper and more meaningful relationships with individuals in our immediate environment. Conversely, our overall well-being will naturally improve. Let’s all make efforts to retrace our steps and connect with the world around us.
