Our sense of wellness is largely affected by what we are exposed to and how we feel about something we do. As digital technologies permeate our consecrated life, it is becoming increasingly imperative that we consider the impact they have on our well-being. Thus, every consecrated person needs to think about ‘digital wellness’ and adopt it as a way of life.

Digital wellness involves a healthy connection with technology. It is about examining the impact of digital technology in each area of our lives and making conscious changes to our exposure to or use of that technology to improve our overall wellness. Digital wellness helps consecrated persons to be more engaged, productive, and healthy in their personal and community life. Adopting digital wellness practices can enable us to manage our digital activities effectively and cause less exhaustion and distraction.

Digital wellness encompasses the following five aspects of one’s consecrated life. It is important to focus on each one individually and be aware of how each plays a role in our overall digital wellness.

1. Religious Identity

As consecrated persons, we have an identity that separates us from the world. Digital media can make us hide our genuine selves and develop a mask based on two concerns: How will others see me? How can others see me positively? Many consecrated people use ‘impression management’ to address these issues, and we make conscious efforts to seek praise and approval from others in terms of ‘likes’ and positive comments.

It is also possible to do everything to bury our true identity deep inside and allow a false self to come to the fore and assert control. We make desperate attempts to be liked in many forms, such as the ‘look at me’ photos and reels, online displays of our talents, trumpeting achievements, and much else. Some of us evaluate our self-worth based on the ‘digital rewards’ we receive, and when they do not meet our expectations, we feel discouraged and low.

We are not consecrated persons primarily because of what we do, but because of our status of being ‘set apart’ for holy purposes. Further, our being as consecrated persons is reinforced not because of how much we do, but because of how we do it, why we do it, and for whom we do it. The awareness of our identity and that of ‘how,’ ‘why,’ and ‘for whom we do it’ should be the fundamental guiding principles in all our digital interactions and activities. It is not about being better than or superior to other digital users; rather, it is about ‘being yeast in the dough’ (cf Mt 13:33) and, more specifically, about being different in the digital world. A ‘religious’ way of being present amidst the digital culture is to “be witnesses of a different way of doing things, of acting, of living!” says Pope Francis. That “it is this witness that I expect of you” is a fitting reminder from Pope Francis to every consecrated person.

Do not rely on social media to define your identity and self-worth. You are worth more than the ‘likes’ you receive. Discover who you really are, your intrinsic passions and strengths, and your unique interests and talents, and value yourself based on your unique capabilities. If you aren’t being your true self, you’re living as someone else sees you. You need to understand that a healthy self-identity is built when you are not obsessed with yourself and experience an inner joy in making a difference in the lives of others.

2. Mental Health

There is a close connection between digital media usage and symptoms of anxiety and depression. A major area many consecrated persons struggle with is digital addiction, which is repetitive, compulsive, and uncontrollable use of digital devices. Those with digital addiction often experience intense feelings of guilt. They will show withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and cravings when a particular digital activity stops.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is another sort of digital anxiety; it is the dread of missing out on anything, whether it’s a discussion, a possible connection, or something wonderful we might like to see or participate in. Therefore, we frequently utilize our devices to ensure we do not miss significant or amusing moments in what others are expressing or doing online. Digital media might also cause sadness due to frequent comparison. In reality, comparing ourselves to those we think are doing better might make us feel inferior and stressed. Anxiety and other mood problems are more likely to develop or worsen as we spend more time on social media.

Anything you do on a routine basis with technology (good or bad) is a habit. Being mindful of your digital habits means knowing how you feel about your devices, your relationship with them, and how to improve your wellness. As long as you maintain self-awareness and an informed approach to navigating the digital world, you have better control over your digital media usage.

Knowing how you are using your time online is important for you to be able to flag up any potential problems and threats to your mental wellbeing. If your device is making you feel bad and draining your energy, it is time to check and control your usage. Be conscious of your emotional state while engaging with digital media; take breaks, and reconsider a particular digital activity if you feel overwhelmed. Do not let any digital activity/engagement be a consistent pattern.

3. Community Life

Community is at the heart of consecrated life. There is a close connection between the quality of our life in common and our overall well-being. When we are regularly pulled away by personal or apostolate-related texts, calls, and emails and get immersed in various digital activities, it not only unduly affects the community in which we live but also our well-being. When was the last time you had a more than ten-minute conversation with a fellow community member without checking your phone?

The personal and private use of digital devices has resulted in a ‘bedroom culture,’ which is the antithesis of a community’s common viewing of media. Digital technology engages individuals, not communities. It appeals personally.  It encourages a culture of individualism that is growing in many religious communities. When personal devices allow us to communicate with so many people in diverse relationships, we don’t need to talk to community members. Many members feel more comfortable dealing with outsiders than insiders! All these negatively impact our ability to share and understand one another.

We need to make a conscious effort to spend quality time with our community members. For example, occasions like community meals, recreation, meetings, community celebrations, community projects, etc. could be considered screen-free time. The notifications and messages we receive can wait, allowing us to show the people we are with that they are important. No call or message is so urgent that it can’t wait until we finish with the community! “May we never look at the screen of our cellphone more than into the eyes of our brothers or sisters,” exhorts Pope Francis.

4. Lifestyle

Consecrated persons are ‘set apart’ for a life of contemplation and action after the model of Jesus, who calls them “to be with him and to be sent out” (Mk 3:14). In tune with these two higher purposes, we are to adopt a lifestyle that disposes our total attention and time to him and his mission. Nevertheless, despite our commitment, a general tendency to compromise our time and priorities for trivial matters persists, and the intrusion of digital media into consecrated life may have intensified these compromising tendencies.

We have reached a stage where we can’t do without some digital engagements, including the days of prayer and retreat. Our hands go to the cell phone even while doing an important task that requires careful attention; we get plugged into our devices while doing apostolate or community chores, having recreation with our confreres, or sometimes even going to the washroom. Consider the times we had a lot of important things to do, but still got stuck online.

Setting intentions for digital media use can help you get what you want from the device and limit time spent online just for the sake of it. Before using a device, pause, be mindful, and set your intention. Set limits on when and where you use tech to prioritize your tasks and spend time with the community. There are also digital apps that can record how much time you spend on screens, remind you when you’ve reached your limit, and help you stay in control. You can also be in control of your lifestyle by maintaining a digital detox. It is to refrain consciously from using digital devices, either completely or for specific subsets of device use over time -- one day a week, or for a week or more at a stretch. The bottom line is: let your device not dictate your lifestyle.

5. Safety

While digital media has the potential to make our lives more convenient and comfortable, it also exposes us to a diverse range of dangers that can thwart our well-being. We often disregard the risks associated with the online world, believing that we are protected behind the computer screens and the digital devices that we use. However, if we are not prudent and wise, these devices can expose us to a harmful and risky environment. Today, many consecrated persons face serious issues as a result of their careless use of digital media, which harms their reputation and sometimes results in financial loss.

Ignorance of digital technology is no more an excuse for making errors. You can become screen-wise religious regardless of age.  To be tech-savvy, you don’t need to know every detail, just the basics. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, start small by listening to and asking your younger confreres about technology. Be curious to learn and take the trouble to clarify your doubts with them in an uninhibited manner. Search for specific information on Google, and explore your possibilities to see whether something works or not as shown. Ask for advice or take online courses to learn the basics. Keep learning and get updated! Never abrogate your right to connect and interact online safely just because you are ignorant of its proper use.

Digital Footprint

Digital wellness is largely linked to our digital footprint. A digital footprint, also called “digital dossier” is the data left by online users that may be tracked back at any time. Every time we are online, we participate in creating our own digital footprint: one that is permanent and visible to many. Never before have consecrated persons been growing up with such a public and permanent record of their daily lives, all because there is a tendency in many of them to share many things online. In addition, following our digital footprint based on the websites we visit, things we post online, images or tweets we like, or other online activities we engage in makes it incredibly easy for others to assess and judge us.

Remember that our life of consecration sets us apart from others. The world looks up to us for the life we lead and the examples we set, which include modelling positive online behaviour. Thus, for better or worse, we need to periodically check our online engagements and make sure that we cultivate a thoughtful, agreeable, and responsible digital footprint that contributes to our digital wellness.

(Fr (Dr) Sajith Cyriac is a priest of the Society of St Paul, Chief Editor of ST PAULS and BETTER YOURLSEF BOOKS, Mumbai and Director of ST PAULS MEDIA EDUCATION. He is the author of 25 books. He can be contacted at sajithssp@gmail.com/ 9496160808)  

Blurbs

You are worth more than the ‘likes’ you receive. Discover who you really are, your intrinsic passions and strengths, and your unique interests and talents, and value yourself based on your unique capabilities.

A general tendency to compromise our time and priorities for trivial matters persists, and the intrusion of digital media into consecrated life may have intensified these compromising tendencies.

The world looks up to us for the life we lead and the examples we set, which include modelling positive online behaviour. Thus, for better or worse, we need to periodically check our online engagements.