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Disconnect to reconnect to you!
There is no escaping technology these days, from smartphones, computers, TV, etc. As essential as having these devices in our lives, I often wonder what it would be like to go back 200 years? I'm old enough to remember when mobile phones did not exist, and things were simpler in those days.
One issue with technology is that it can become addictive, especially on social media or spending way too much time on Youtube if you are like me. Research has proven that giving your body a break from technology, even just for a few hours, can help you become happier and healthier.
According to the American Psychological Association's annual Stress in America study, technology use is a significant source of stress for a fifth of U.S. people (about 18%). The ever-present digital connection and constant urge to check emails, texts, and social media accounted for the majority of this tech stress for many people.
Digital Detox
Detaching from your electronics can benefit your mental health, but a digital detox does not have to entail completely cutting yourself off from your phone and other technological connections. Setting boundaries and ensuring that you are using your gadgets to benefit, rather than harm, your emotional and physical health is frequently the most crucial part of the process.
How to Detox
Move your devices to a dedicated area in the home. In other words, out of sight, out of mind. If you don't need your tech devices for work, then having them separated from you and dedicating certain hours of the day to check in could help you detox from technology. Ask yourself whether you need to check Twitter every 5 minutes. Does it matter if you don't answer an email immediately? On the other hand, if you need to be online for work, make it a rule that after-hours is out of bounds for any work-related checking in.
Exercise
Other ways to have a break from your phone are to leave it at home when walking. Maybe you could decide to leave the phone at home and take up exercises such as yoga or jogging.
Read real books
I love kindle; however, I miss scribbling in my books and holding a book in my hand. I'm guilty of buying books on kindle because I want them immediately, and that's another thing in our society; immediate gratification. Note to self: work on that!
Sleep without the phone
Research shows that using a smart device in a dark room causes blue light to emit and disrupt sleep due to disrupting melatonin. Having a break from blue light before bed is recommended to improve sleeping people. Some people have a strict no blue light in the bedroom policy.
Technology is fantastic, but it is also disrupting. In today's world filled with instant news and social media, finding time to have a break from the buzz is highly beneficial.
Here are some tips on cutting back on phone addiction:
The first step in breaking your phone addiction is to figure out which applications are causing you problems and which aren't—in other words, deciding which applications you have a healthy relationship with and which apps you have a toxic relationship with. For example, Asana Rebel is my yoga app and brings me stress relief, whereas, on Twitter, I find it very unhealthy with the amount of negativity on that platform.
Turn off all notifications. I do not have any notifications coming through on my phone except messages. I also have my phone permanently on do not disturb with my family in favourites in case they need me. One of the reasons I do this is the number of spam calls I receive. Having the phone on do not disturb is the perfect solution, and I figure if someone wants me, they will leave a message.
Small changes can make a big difference.