Technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives. A gadget is a piece of technology, usually in the form of a handheld or portable device that is designed to make tasks easier. There is also a use of use apps and computers for work, school, and pleasure.
The gadget is a word that comes from the French word gica, meaning “egg,” which was used to describe the first pocket watches. While the term likely originated with watches, people today can think of many other uses for gadgets.
There are different gadgets for almost everything from cooking to working out to playing the occasional video game. A lot of cars also have built-in gadgets such as GPS, Bluetooth hook-up, and car entertainment. Some gadgets, such as cell phones, can double as small computers.
Sure, we all enjoy having our smartphones, tablets, and computers; but how much of that time are we spending in front of these devices? Tech addiction is real, and it’s way worse than the over-stimulation you get from staring at your phone all day.
Researchers from Harvard and Yale recently conducted a survey that showed that 74% of respondents said they “can’t go a minute without checking their phone or computer.” In another study, 73% of participants reported that they checked their smartphone first thing in the morning, and 58% reported checking their device at least hourly.
It’s all well and good to want the latest and greatest tech product, but if you don’t have a plan for managing the tech in your life, you may end up dropping a lot of time and money. Think about how you use your tech: do you use it for actual work or communication? Do you use it often or only during certain hours of the day?
Technology is everywhere now. From keeping in touch with friends and family to keeping on top of our health to managing our finances, we rely increasingly on devices to help us do our jobs. Here’s how you can control your gadget usage for a better life:
Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. They help us do all sorts of tasks that used to require the use of multiple devices—from GPS navigation to streaming movies and music. But while smartphones have become an indispensable part of our personal lives, they also present some challenges when it comes to our sense of well-being.
The urge to check our gadgets can be strong. We are all guilty of excessive gadget usage. Whether it’s checking social media, playing a game, or watching Netflix, we’re so obsessed with our gadgets that we can’t seem to put our devices down. But is excessive gadget usage bad? Scientists say yes, and there are several ways to get those gadgets under control.
We are constantly looking for ways to make our lives more productive and easier, and while technology has undoubtedly made our lives better, it can also be very distracting.
Gadgets like a smartphone have changed the way people communicate and interact with others. There’s no doubt about it: it’s helped revolutionize our social lives. But, as with most things, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with finding other things to do to control your gadget usage. Turn off the notifications on your phone and social media. Limit yourself to a certain number of hours of screen time each day. And, when you really need to use your computer, take 15 to 20 minutes every hour to step away from the screen and refocus your attention.