Think about the last moment that you’ve felt truly surrounded by feelings of peace, joy, and love; I bet the moment you’re thinking of doesn’t involve you looking at a screen. The truth is that many of our most intimate and meaningful connections happen from daily life- that is, the life that exists beyond your phone screen.
Spending too much time on phones and in front of the TV or computer is a trademark of today’s society. Fewer and fewer people are spending time outdoors and having real conversations with their neighbors and friends. Even before school switched online, let’s all admit we’re guilty of mindlessly scrolling on Instagram in public, grabbing for our smartphones the second we wake up, and being preoccupied with what we’re posting on social media during parties and dinners. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average American spends between seven and ten hours looking at screens each day when actually, two hours per day is what’s typically recommended for teens and adults. **
So, why should you cut back on screen time and “unplug” from technology and media? There are countless reasons why, from the corruptive messages and influences on social media to the amount of blue light you’re exposed to from today’s fancy phones and tablets. Unplugging is a vital part of self-care in our increasingly digital world. Every person can benefit from looking up from their screen to interact with and enjoy the world around them. Here are a few reasons why you should consider unplugging and some tips on how to do it.
5 reasons why you should “unplug”:
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You’re able to fully observe and appreciate the community around you. Whether you’re walking down the street or riding as a passenger on your phone, every minute you’re looking down is a minute of activity and scenery that you missed.
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Get better sleep. Not only does catching up on the news right before going to sleep activate your brain and stir up emotions, but the blue light being emitted from your devices may actually be sabotaging your chance to get a good night’s sleep. Even blue light screen protectors aren’t 100% effective.
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Detox yourself from social media. Today’s social media platforms are swarming with images of so-called “perfect people” that only make the average person think less of themselves. Instead of inevitably comparing yourself to others, log off, and remind yourself why you’re so awesome.
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You have more time to be active! Exercise releases endorphins, and endorphins make us feel happy. Being active throughout the day just means getting up off your seat more to get your blood pumping and your heart rate up (which usually doesn’t involve any screens). Your mental and physical health will both thank you.
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Improve your communication skills. Talking to people online is a totally different playing field than talking to people in person. Face-to-face people skills are necessary to be successful in every aspect of life- at work, in relationships, and at home.
Technology often plays a role in every part of our day. So, where can we start if we’re trying to limit our screen time? Here are five tips:
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Put your phone and other electronic devices in another room while you sleep. Often, phones are the last thing we see at night and the first thing our eyes focus on in the morning. Constant messages and notifications can get exhausting; try to think of a new, more refreshing way to start your day, like mentally listing your goals or things you’re thankful for. How you start your morning can set the tone for the entire day.
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Set screen time limits on your phone. Most smartphones have a feature in the settings that allows you to keep track of your screen time and set limits for certain apps so it’ll notify you when you end up on one of those endless internet quests.
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Challenge yourself to keep your phone tucked away in public. Often while waiting in line at the store or standing in an elevator, we’re tempted to pull out our phones just to avoid an awkward moment. But what if we actually sparked a conversation with a stranger instead of staring down and mindlessly scrolling? What if we really took the time to listen to, interact with, and learn from the people around us?
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Turn off your notifications for anything that isn’t super important. If you’re getting messages and alerts that cause your phone to light up every few minutes, it can really distract you from focusing on other things. You can opt to silence some or all of your notifications or just make it so that they don’t pop up while your phone isn’t on.
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Think of one way you use technology and see if you can combine it with some sort of physical activity. Love podcasts? Grab your headphones and try going for a walk or jog. Personally, it’s my favorite way to clear my mind and work off some stress (and this way you aren’t just listening to yourself breathing.
Remember, the online world will always be there when you log back on- you’re not missing anything. What’s most important is that you prioritize appreciating the life you’ve built before you beyond the screen.
“All that is important is this one moment in movement. Make the moment important, vital, and worth living. Do not let it slip away unnoticed and unused.”
― Martha Graham