Participate 4.1.3 Digital Health Quest

With a new year just around the corner, I could not think of a more perfect time to post on good digital health and technology habits.  While I have never been the type of girl to set resolutions, I am the type of girl who believes in establishing goals in order to become a better version of yourself.  So today I am excited to bring you 15 proactive tips to help you become a better and healthier digital citizen in 2015!

1. Set up an ergonomic workstation, and then...
2. Practice perfect computer posture.
3. Establish tech limits- ie: no technology until my daughter goes to bed, 4:00-8:00 pm.
4. Stretch while working on the computer or at a desk.
5. Make your workspace distraction-free; this includes your phone, iPod, & even distracting websites.
6. Protect your ears by listening to mp3 at 60% maximum volume.
7. No technology 30 minutes before bed.
8. Clean (and sanitize) your devices regularly- for their health and yours.
9. Clean up your social media by deleting negative users.
10. Take a break every 20 minutes that you work at the computer.
11. Use online websites & apps to help you stay focused- ie: focusbooster or DoNothingFor2Minutes.
12. Save your eyes by turning on the lights while working at the computer, especially at night time.
13. Make your bedroom a no-tech zone...at least at bedtime!
14. Make the dinner table a no-tech zone, too.
15. Schedule Technology Free Days each month and do something fun with family and/or friends!

On a final note, teachers and students alike can balance technology with good health by heeding to this golden rule: prioritize your time.  This rule applies to all types of work and to both our professional and personal lives.  Learning how to prioritize tasks and arranging time for those tasks is one of the most important life skills one can learn.  Therefore, to become more well-rounded and to get the most out of any task we must learn how to effectively set and manage our priorities.

P.S.- Because modeling is one of the best teaching strategies, I put my own tips into action this week.  Below is a screenshot of my personal calendar and a snapshot of my own attempts at prioritizing my time in order to become a more balanced wife-mom-teacher.  Here's to a healthy and happy new year!