Element 8 - Digital Health and Wellness
SMART Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content in this workshop, you should be able to perform the following:
1. Define Digital Health and Wellness
2. Provide two examples of good digital health awareness
3. List ways to combat physical harm when using computers or other digital devices
1. Define Digital Health and Wellness
2. Provide two examples of good digital health awareness
3. List ways to combat physical harm when using computers or other digital devices
Digital Health and Wellness Overview
Digital Health and Wellness is defined as the proper physical use of digital technology and the psychological dangers that can accompany the use of digital technology. Digital health awareness includes ergonomic seating, proper posture, and hand/wrist positioning when using peripherals such as a mouse or keyboard. Eye strain from prolonged exposure to computer monitors and repetitive motion should also be considered. Psychological addictions to constant device use or gaming can result in changes in behavior including psychological withdraw from society. To combat physical harm, technology users should take frequent breaks from the computer, look away from monitors to prevent eye strain, and stretch their arms and hands to prevent cramping and pain from overuse. Standing desks have recently become popular to combat the sedentary nature of computer use (Ribble, 2015).
Digital Health and Wellness is defined as the proper physical use of digital technology and the psychological dangers that can accompany the use of digital technology. Digital health awareness includes ergonomic seating, proper posture, and hand/wrist positioning when using peripherals such as a mouse or keyboard. Eye strain from prolonged exposure to computer monitors and repetitive motion should also be considered. Psychological addictions to constant device use or gaming can result in changes in behavior including psychological withdraw from society. To combat physical harm, technology users should take frequent breaks from the computer, look away from monitors to prevent eye strain, and stretch their arms and hands to prevent cramping and pain from overuse. Standing desks have recently become popular to combat the sedentary nature of computer use (Ribble, 2015).
Connections to Digital Health and Wellness
The same rules apply for federal service as they do in society when considering digital health and wellness. The majority of employees at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) are involved in intelligence and analytical work using a variety of computer networks. This naturally translates to a sedentary IT based environment where employees sit all day long using three or more computer monitors. My position as a facility specialist, supervisor, and technical lead requires me to spend 85% of my day sitting at a computer performing technical writing, email correspondence, presentations, and using other various computer based applications. Unfortunately, there are no known awareness programs to educate employees on proper digital health and wellness, leaving most employees to figure it out on their own.
The same rules apply for federal service as they do in society when considering digital health and wellness. The majority of employees at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) are involved in intelligence and analytical work using a variety of computer networks. This naturally translates to a sedentary IT based environment where employees sit all day long using three or more computer monitors. My position as a facility specialist, supervisor, and technical lead requires me to spend 85% of my day sitting at a computer performing technical writing, email correspondence, presentations, and using other various computer based applications. Unfortunately, there are no known awareness programs to educate employees on proper digital health and wellness, leaving most employees to figure it out on their own.
NPR Audio Broadcasts
1. 'Irresistible' By Design: It's No Accident You Can't Stop Looking at the Screen
Mar 13, 2017 – Length: 1:46
Summary: Technology is designed to be addictive, offering gratification that's similar to that of drug abuse or gambling. Author Adam Alter says a new frontier could soon provide another escape from reality (NPR Staff, 2017).
1. 'Irresistible' By Design: It's No Accident You Can't Stop Looking at the Screen
Mar 13, 2017 – Length: 1:46
Summary: Technology is designed to be addictive, offering gratification that's similar to that of drug abuse or gambling. Author Adam Alter says a new frontier could soon provide another escape from reality (NPR Staff, 2017).
Link to original broadcast and transcript: http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/03/13/519977607/irresistible-by-design-its-no-accident-you-cant-stop-looking-at-the-screen
2. We Asked, You Answered: Going to Extremes to Disconnect on Vacation
Jul 7, 2014 – Length: 2:43
Summary: Giving up digital devices — even if for just a few hours or days — is a struggle. Whether it was to catch up on the news or peek in on the World Cup, NPR listeners found it tough to kick the habit (NPR Staff, 2014).
Link to original broadcast and transcript: http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/07/07/329551013/we-asked-you-answered-going-to-extremes-to-disconnect-on-vacation
References
NPR (Staff) (2017, March 13). Fresh Air [Radio Series] National Public Radio. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/03/13/519977607/irresistible-by-design-its-no-accident-you-cant-stop-looking-at-the-screen
NPR (Staff) (2014, July 7). All Things Considered [Radio Series] National Public Radio. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/07/07/329551013/we-asked-you-answered-going-to-extremes-to-disconnect-on-vacation
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools. Eugene, Or: International Society for Technology in Education.
NPR (Staff) (2017, March 13). Fresh Air [Radio Series] National Public Radio. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/03/13/519977607/irresistible-by-design-its-no-accident-you-cant-stop-looking-at-the-screen
NPR (Staff) (2014, July 7). All Things Considered [Radio Series] National Public Radio. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/07/07/329551013/we-asked-you-answered-going-to-extremes-to-disconnect-on-vacation
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools. Eugene, Or: International Society for Technology in Education.