In this generation of high-tech gadgets, instant communication, and microwave-prepared meals, living healthy has considerably taken a back seat.
Kids nowadays, even those in the third-world countries, prefer to indulge in computer games and video arcade. They spend several hours playing these games rather than engaging in sports that involve generalized physical activity.
Adults prefer to surf the net or watch television for hours munching on junk foods. And when it is time for lunch or dinner, they'd just heat pre-cooked pizzas or sandwiches in the microwave and voila, instant meals!
After a stressful day in school or in the office instead of going home straight to rest, what do we do? We go to malls, bars, or movie houses to "relax". It would easily be around 10 in the evening or even later that we find ourselves home. As soon as we get home, we turn the TV on for our favorite late night shows. Some would even have a drink in hand. And going inside the bedroom instead of getting to bed, what do most of us do? We boot the computer to check our emails as if our lives would not be complete if we postpone reading those late messages we missed after leaving the office. What time do we actually get to bed then? Around 1 in the morning, give and take an hour at least. So we get only about 4 to 5 hours of sleep if we have an 8 to 5 job; and less if we need to work an hour or two before that.
So what does this tell us? It is implicit that we live in a fast-paced world where a good relaxing moment is unknown. It tells us further that we are victims and slaves of this generation's typical lifestyle. It means that our health is being sacrificed in pursuit of what this age considers as pleasures and must-haves.
I am not claiming here that this generation and its innovations are the culprit. Neither am I saying that modern technology has turned us into unhealthy, useless imbeciles. This only proves that lots of people are not disciplined enough to cope with the demands brought by this generation's lifestyle.
We only have ourselves to blame for this. We should always remember that technology is developed with the purpose of making our lives easier to manage. It has never been designed to enslave or to incapacitate us whatsoever. It is there for us to use, to learn from, to bridge communication, and to improve our living conditions. Thus, we ought to implement effective ways in utilizing it to our utmost advantage.
Let us try to pause for a moment and examine closely the hold and effects modern technology has on our lifestyle. We should count the number of hours we spend just chatting away, playing computer games, or surfing endlessly. How much do we spare unnecessarily for impractical upgrades of electronic gadgets, computer peripherals and expensive software? How many times have we passed up a decent meal for a burger? Or even skipped lunch or dinner just to remain on-line - remember the resulting ulcer pains and migraine headaches afterward? Can you recall how many nights you postpone bedtime to tinker around your newly acquired electronic toys or high-tech gadgets?
If you are guilty of one or more of the scenarios described above, then most likely you have unwittingly gotten yourself ensnared by the negative influence of this generation's technology. You ought to reconsider your priorities in life before it's too late. Otherwise, you might find out you've paid too high for what has become a disastrous trap for you. You should examine closely what good and healthy practices have been replaced by negative and unhealthy ones.
If you have just opened your eyes to this reality, today is the perfect time to evaluate the purpose of these technological innovations and align it against their impact on your life.
We ought to be able to maximize the potential of modern technology to our ultimate advantage. Let's always bear in mind that these innovations are already too costly for our budgets. Hence, we need not pay for them more than what they cost us financially. Remember that we humans are the creator of these technological innovations. We, therefore, are their masters, not their slaves. Let us then start acting as such. We have to let these gadgets work for us by serving the purpose for which they are created without sacrificing our health and personal relationships.
Not until we have overcome our unhealthy dependence on the technological advancements brought by this age can we rightfully claim that we are their masters. We can only say such when we are truly capable of utilizing them to our complete advantage, nothing less.
