Your digital wellness check-up

(NC) If you’re feeling overwhelmed by notifications, uncertain about your data privacy or questioning your digital habits, you’re not alone.

The good news is that boosting your digital wellness doesn’t require a total detox, just intent. Start your digital check-up with these tips:

Pause before you tap. We’re asked to make countless decisions every day. Opt in or opt out? Accept or decline? Allow notifications? Share location? It’s already a lot. Then add artificial intelligence (AI)—suggesting replies, finishing sentences or curating your feed—and suddenly you’re making choices without even noticing.

It’s easy to find yourself running on digital autopilot. So, take a moment before your next tap. Notice your choices. Be intentional about the technology you allow into your life.

Who has access? Do you know which apps have access to your microphone? Photos? What about your location? While these permissions can be useful when using some apps, like maps, it’s vital to know who you’re entrusting with your data and whether you trust them.

Take a minute to audit your permissions by reviewing your privacy settings and ask yourself honestly what permissions you really need. Pay special attention to which apps can access your location and only leave on permissions that benefit you.

Turn down the noise. The world can be a loud place. Why add to the noise with alerts that don’t add value to your day? Turn off your non-essential notifications and create quiet hours when your devices won’t interrupt you. Your attention is valuable—use it wisely.

Protect your data and your peace. Before trusting a new brand, product or service, take a moment to understand the data practices behind it.

Look for clear, jargon-free privacy policies and companies that explain their data handling and AI practices in simple, straightforward terms. Some companies, like Telus, make their data handling and AI practices publicly available.

Ask yourself: do I agree with this company’s approach, and does it give me confidence in how they’ll protect my information?

Set your intention. Without intention, technology can become a habit instead of a tool. Try setting boundaries that can help guide your use. Maybe it's limiting social media to 30 minutes a day, choosing apps that support your wellness goals or avoiding platforms that don’t speak to your values. When you're deliberate about your tech choices, your devices start adding value to your life.

These small changes add up. Your everyday actions help shape your future—make sure it’s the future you want.

Learn more at telus.com/trust.