Give It A Rest
Women's Health South Africa|July 2019

Taking short tech breaks can supercharge your mind and help you make the most of the precious hours in a day. You’ll be happier and healthier for it (and your phone will still be there – we promise)

Cassie Shortsleeve
Give It A Rest

We love apps, smartphones and computers. They help us track our sweat sessions, get us from point A to point B and make working from home possible. But we may be too reliant on them. The average person spends just about 11 hours every day with their face glued to a screen. That level of plugging in can be physically taxing – staring down at a screen is torture on your neck. But the biggest impact could be on your mental well-being. Social media overuse is linked to loneliness, in part because when you’re swiping and scrolling, you’re not connecting with others or the world around you. That’s the truth.

The easier-said-than done solution isn’t to ditch your gadgets (come on, we’re not Neanderthals!), but to use them, well, smarter. Facebook and Instagram have lent a hand by launching tools to help users dial back. More recent operating systems from both Apple and Google let you set time limits on apps and track how many minutes (um, hours?) you spend swiping memes.

Your new gig: spend your screen-free time reconnecting with friends, colleagues and yourself. It may feel awkward at first, which is why we’ve created this primer on how to complete some of life’s basics sans tech (you know, the way people used to!).

Have a gadget-free workout

Keeping tabs on your pace or heart rate via tech can boost performance, but the strategies below will help you home in on how you’re moving, what muscles you’re using, and how you feel – which can ensure proper form and reduce injury risk, says biokineticist Dr Joel Martin.

TAKE THE TALK TEST

Denne historien er fra July 2019-utgaven av Women's Health South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 2019-utgaven av Women's Health South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WOMEN'S HEALTH SOUTH AFRICASe alt
Irreconcilable Differences?
Women's Health South Africa

Irreconcilable Differences?

You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2024
Hot And Bothered
Women's Health South Africa

Hot And Bothered

Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
Self-esteem under the microscope
Women's Health South Africa

Self-esteem under the microscope

The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2024
the reset
Women's Health South Africa

the reset

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024
Mind Over Muscle
Women's Health South Africa

Mind Over Muscle

Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2024
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Women's Health South Africa

ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE

Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2024
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
Women's Health South Africa

Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free

The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2024
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Women's Health South Africa

FUEL YOUR SKIN

Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
How To Be Decisive
Women's Health South Africa

How To Be Decisive

You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
Build A Strong Base
Women's Health South Africa

Build A Strong Base

You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024