Todays show we have Dr Kirsty Goodwin sharing the truth about our Digital habits and how we can use them without the brain drain. Dr Kristy Goodwin is an award-winning researcher, speaker, author, and mum on a mission to help parents and educators raise happy, healthy children and teens who thrive online and offline. Author of Dear Digital, We need to talk, Dr Kristy shares realistic, research-based micro habits that people can apply to tame their digital habits and thrive in the digital world. Prior to becoming a speaker and consultant, she worked as an educator for 14 years with schools in both the public and private sectors. She also lectured at Macquarie University and University of Notre Dame and has completed a PhD on the impact of digital technologies.
Takeaways:
Digital Habits Impact Wellbeing: Unhealthy digital habits can lead to increased stress, exhaustion, and burnout. It's important to recognise the effects of technology on our mental and physical health.
Work in Alignment with Biological Rhythms: Understanding our biological rhythms, such as ultradian cycles and chronotypes, can help optimise productivity. Working in focused sprints of around 90 minutes, followed by short breaks, aligns with our natural patterns.
Digital Gender Wellbeing Gap: Women may face a more significant gender wellbeing gap due to factors like absorbing domestic responsibilities and the perception of being less ambitious. Increased digital load, particularly in managing family and school communications, can contribute to stress and burnout.
Setting Digital Boundaries: It's crucial to establish boundaries around screen time, both for ourselves and our children. This includes knowing when to put away our devices to fully engage with the people around us. Your children are watching and will learn by what you do.
Protecting Basic Needs: Screen time should not encroach on essential aspects of our well-being, such as sleep, physical activity, and human connection. Prioritising these needs helps maintain a healthy balance in our lives.
Mindful Technology Use: Being intentional and purposeful in our use of technology can lead to a more productive and fulfilling life. This involves managing notifications, choosing when and how we engage with screens, and curating our digital experiences to serve us positively.
What We Discuss:
00:00 Introduction
00:49 The Impact of Digital Habits on Wellbeing
01:14 Meet Dr. Kristy Goodwin
02:27 Understanding the Human Relationship with Technology
03:14 The Digital Vacuum: How Technology Affects Us All
04:30 The Double-Edged Sword of Digital Connection
06:40 The Impact of Digital Dependence
08:58 Micro Stresses and Biological Buffers
19:23 The Gender Wellbeing Gap: A Deeper Look
27:51 Digital Guardrails: Setting Boundaries in the Workplace
31:38 The Role of Digital Connection in Combating Loneliness
33:33 The Paradox of Technology: Connection and Disconnection
34:09 The Impact of Excessive Screen Time
35:28 Regrets of the Dying: Time Spent on Devices
37:02 The Negativity Bias and Its Impact on Our Digital Lives
43:08 The Impact of Wi-Fi Exposure
44:58 Raising Children in the Digital Age
46:19 The Importance of Digital Boundaries and Boredom
47:40 The Risks of Digital Distractions
51:33 The Link Between ADHD and Multitasking
57:46 The Importance of Sleep and Digital Curfews
Resource Links:
Dr Kristy Goodwin Website - https://drkristygoodwin.com/
Book 'Dear Digital, We Need to Talk' - https://drkristygoodwin.com/deardigital/
Chronotype Assessment - https://drkristygoodwin.com/chronotype/
Dr Kristy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drkristy/
Nicole on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicolesharanam
Connectedly Website - https://www.connectedly.com.au/
Thanks for joining us. See you next week! x
