Embrace Technology

Advances are made so quickly these days that it can be a struggle to keep up with what’s going on in technology. Those of us over 50 are just getting used to smart phones and learning to download “apps” while our children and grandchildren are texting at lightning speed. 20 years ago, we didn’t even have words like “netbook” and “paypal.” Now you can do all of your banking online, text message your kids from your phone and send out “tweets”! Before we’ve even mastered one type of technology it seems something newer arrives on the market. It is easy to see why some people, especially seniors, choose to just ignore it all.

There are good reasons to embrace what’s going on in the electronic world, some of which may help you lead a more active and enjoyable life. Technology can make our lives easier in many ways. For instance, banking on line, filing your tax return electronically, and being able to phone a friend while you’re out running errands can save time and resources. Keeping in touch via the web, whether through Face book, email or other social media sites, can improve a person’s emotional health.

In addition, adapting to the use of technology stretches one’s mental capacities which helps keep the brain in shape. Tackling challenging tasks such as learning to use an electronic item helps keep the brain from aging. There are word games and card games to play online. There’s a world of research to be studied at Wikipedia. Electronics can even help our physical well-being; a large segment of Wii users are senior citizens who play games that exercise their muscles (if you don’t know what Wii is – check it out!)

I think one of the most important reasons to embrace technology is because to ignore it is to limit your possibilities. So much of our commerce and social interaction has gravitated to the web that to disregard these options means becoming more and more out of touch with society. For instance, cell phones have become so ubiquitous that it’s hard to find a pay phone anymore.

The fear of using technology is that the “old ways” which seem more personal and simple will be lost. To some extent that is true; the art of letter writing is a diminishing phenomenon. But the “old ways” can co-exist with modern ideas. Just because you can use email doesn’t mean you can’t send a letter to a loved one. Technology not only exists to improve efficiency and productivity but is there to make life more fun and engaging and should be used in a way that personally enhances your day. ~Jill