3 ways to improve your digital self-care habits

Technology plays a major role in our daily lives. We use it to connect with others, do our jobs, find information, and entertain ourselves!

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Here’s a topic in technology you might not think about often: Your digital self-care habits.

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Part of staying safe online is about the relationship you have with technology. For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s look at how to improve your digital self-care routine:

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1. Set boundaries with technology

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Since technology is ever-present in our lives, it can be difficult to set healthy boundaries with it. Re-think the habits you’ve established with technology, and consider adding these practices into your self-care routine:

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Make screen time limits

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How much time do you spend on your phone each day? The numbers might surprise you.

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You can check how much time you spend on specific apps within the settings of your phone.

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Consider how you feel about those numbers. Is it more time than you feel comfortable spending in front of a screen?

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If you want to spend less time on your phone, you can:

• Designate part of your day to unplug completely from technology - no phone, no computer!
• Try setting a goal for yourself, like: No checking social media for the first hour of the day.
• Download an app that blocks you from accessing social media or websites during times when you need to focus.

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Turn off notifications

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Some days, it can feel like your phone never stops going off! Constant notifications can be a drain of your energy.

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Whenever your phone lights up, it disrupts your attention, moving it away from what you were focusing on before.

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Your phone can become a relentless reminder of things you need to do, apps you want to check, and texts or emails you need to respond to.

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When you need time to yourself, turn off your phone’s notifications for a while. Give your brain a break! You might be surprised at how much more relaxed you feel.

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Don’t worry: You can adjust your phone settings so that certain notifications still come through in case of an emergency.

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Take breaks

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After a long session on your computer or phone, step away from the screen. If you can spare 10 or 15 minutes, move away from your desk and shift your attention to something new.

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You can always come back to what you’re working on after your break. You’ll likely feel less distracted once you’re ready to get back to it.

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Give yourself 10-15 minutes to unplug, recharge, and then, re-focus!

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2. Talk about it with friends & family

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While you’re working on your own digital self-care, why not help those around you do the same?

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You can talk to friends and family about cybersecurity and encourage them to re-evaluate their technology habits, too.

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Share how your digital self-care journey is going and what you’re doing to be cyber-safe. Spread the word to keep your loved ones safe online!

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3. Make cybersecurity best practices part of your routine

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When cybersecurity is part of your daily life, online safety becomes part of your routine. To make that happen, you can:

• Reset your passwords several times a year. Read up on our best practices for strong passwords!
• Check your credit report to spot signs of identity theft or fraud.
• Set up two-factor authentication on all your accounts.
• Back up your files to protect your most important documents.

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We want to help you become more cyber-safe. To support that, we’ve launched a new Cybersecurity Centre with all the latest articles on fraud trends, online safety, and more. Check it out to keep building your knowledge!