Technology is dominating our lives.
How many times have we sat on the couch with our phone for a fifteen-minute break only to realize that two hours have passed? Whether we want to admit it or not, chances are, most of us are full-blown tech addicts by now. And as it is for any addiction, obsession isn’t healthy.
Taking a 24-hour break from anything we enjoy seems more like a chore than anything else, but it could be a pretty eye-opening experience for a few reasons.
It could help you fall asleep.
Okay, so maybe this wouldn’t be an eye-opening experience–hopefully, it would be the opposite. There’s nothing more comfortable than binge-watching Netflix in bed, but it could actually be messing up your sleep schedule. Plenty of research shows that using your phone or computer in bed can lead to sleepless nights, as the artificial light triggers your brain to keep you awake. Experts recommend shutting down all screens an hour before bed.
You’ll be more productive.
Humans aren’t as great at multitasking as we think–being on your phone or cruising the Internet while working can actually lower your productivity by a whopping 40%. Unplug for 24 hours and focus on one task at a time, and you’ll feel a lot more productive and satisfied with the quality of your work (even if it’s something simple, like cleaning or reading a book). Plus, feeling refreshed from your good night of sleep will help you even more to stay focused!
You’ll then have more time to make face-to-face interactions with other human beings.
Sure, technology keeps us connected in a sense, but studies show that people who spend lots of time with their phones can actually start to feel depressed. Additionally, research from the University of Essex found that people who engage in conversation with a cell phone nearby actually reported lower relationship quality and less trust for their partner. Taking a day off from technology gives you a chance to make meaningful connections with the people you care about.
It will give your body a break.
Use of technology has a bigger impact on our bodies than we think it does. For starters, grasping your phone too much can cause muscle tension and tendonitis, a painful inflammation of the tendons in your wrists and fingers. It can also be the source of neck and back pain, headaches, anxiety and even spine damage. Your body will thank you after 24 hours of being completely unplugged!
After a day of not opening emails, answering phone calls or checking Facebook, you might feel a little anxious, and that’s okay. In the long run, a 24-hour technology break will make you feel relaxed, productive and focused–so are you up for the challenge? Let us know how your 24 hours without technology go!