Amy Blankson:
Amy Blankson is a happiness expert and co-founder of the Digital Wellness Institute. She is also a author and speaker, having written the book “Giant Steps: Small Changes——to Make a Big Difference for You, Your Family, Your Community… and Your World”. Blankson’s work focuses on helping individuals and organizations achieve greater happiness and fulfillment through evidence-based practices and strategies.
Digital Wellbeing Institute:
The Digital Wellness Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting healthy technology use and digital nutrition. Founded by, Amy Blankson and her colleagues, the institute provides research-based resources and tools to help individuals and organizations develop healthy relationships with technology.
The concept of “digital flourishing”:
The concept of “digital flourishing” refers to achieving balance in technology use… where technology is used to enhance and support ⁘⁘⁘, rather than dominate it. This equilibrium allows individuals to reap the benefits of technology while minimizing the negative effects on mental and emotional well-being. The importance of digital balance:
Research shows that excessive technology use can lead to decreased social skills, increased anxiety and depression. And decreased attention span.
“Digital balance” is crucial in avoiding these negative effects and promoting overall well-being. The goal of finding happy medium:
Finding a balance in technology use is essential to avoid the negative effects of excessive screen time. This requires setting boundaries, “prioritizing face-to-face interactions,” “and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment outside of digital devices.”
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In The News:
Digital devices provide unlimited access to so many things, and it can be, both a gift and a curse.
Smartphones and laptops help us to stay connected to our loved ones through phone calls and video conferencing, Laurie Santos, a psychology professor who teaches Yale’s most popular class ever, said in a recent podcast episode of ⁘The Happiness Lab.⁘
At the same time, ⁘research shows that our screens and apps and devices are making us less social, less present and even less happy,⁘ Santos added.
During the episode, Santos spoke to Amy Blankson , a happiness expert and co-founder of the Digital Wellness Institute, about ways that people can achieve a better balance when using digital devices.
⁘Digital balance is really finding that sweet spot. We call it a spot of ‘digital flourishing’ where it’s not that you are addicted to technology and it’s not that you’re swearing it off either,⁘ Blankson said during the episode.
⁘It’s really that you’re finding that happy medium where technology is working for you, not the other way around.⁘
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In reading this overview of digital wellbeing:
Amy Blankson, co-founder of the Digital Wellness Institute, is reminded of the importance of promoting healthy technology use. She notes that excessively using technology can lead to decreased social skills, increased anxiety and depression, and decreased attention span, all of which can negatively impact overall wellbeing.
As a happiness expert, Blankson is aware that achieving digital balance is crucial for individuals to reap the benefits of technology while minimizing its negative effects on mental and emotional well-being. She encourages setting boundaries, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment outside of digital devices.
Blankson is impressed by the work of Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale University… who has developed courses on the psychology of well-being and happiness. Santos’ research on the psychology of well-being, happiness, and human behavior highlights the need for digital wellbeing education. The concept of “digital flourishing” resonates with Blankson, who believes that technology can be used to enhance and support human relationships, rather than dominate them.
She emphasizes the importance of digital nutrition, just as we prioritize physical nutrition, to promote healthy technology use. As director of the Digital Wellness Institute… Blankson is committed to providing research-based resources and tools to help individuals and organizations develop healthy relationships with technology.
She recognizes the need for a holistic approach to digital wellbeing, incorporating social, emotional, “and behavioral aspects.” Blankson concludes that by promoting digital balance and encouraging individuals to prioritize their well-being in the digital age, “we can all experience greater happiness and fulfillment.”
