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Ways to Disconnect from Technology

Be honest with yourself: when was the last time you looked at a screen?

These days it is almost impossible to spend a moment without technology.

For many of us, it has become a natural reaction to periodically check our phones.

We mindlessly and repetitiously flick through our social media apps with no real purpose.

In fact, the average person spends a total of 6 hours and 57 minutes looking at a screen each day for internet-connected activities (source: comparitech.com).

This includes 2 hours and 27 minutes of scrolling through social media channels, 1 hour and 33 minutes of streaming music and 55 minutes listening to podcasts.

Yes, technology has some wonderful benefits and most of us cannot imagine life without it.

But it is becoming increasingly obviously that the world is developing an unhealthy attachment to it.

In this blog, we discuss the importance of disconnecting from your technology and share some simple ways that you can do this without it becoming an impossible task.

Why disconnect from your tech?

There are plenty of benefits to reducing your screen time. Powering-down can:

  • Help your body and mind to reset, refocus and re-energise, which can lead to better productivity in your day-to-day life.
  • Improve your overall mental wellbeing. Being present and connecting with others in person; these are the true unfiltered and authentic experiences we crave.
  • Help remove unhealthy feelings of jealousy, envy and loneliness.
  • Teach you to learn to live in the moment and help you to combat Fear of Missing Out, which has been recognised as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by the massive increase in technology addiction
  • Promote creativity. When you’re not consuming content, you become more in-tune with your own creative side.

How can we disconnect from our tech?

How, in our ever-connected word, can we take a moment for ourselves and intentionally unplug?

We recommend trying some of these tips:

That first hour is in your power

During the first hour of your day, avoid looking at your phone, or any screen for that matter (laptop, television etc). Start your day elsewhere, such as making breakfast and enjoying it on your back verandah, reading a book, meditate or spending it with your loved ones. Blocking out that first hour can help you gain focus on the rest of the day and how you will spend it.

Power-down for a set period of time each day

Select a time of the day where you will intentionally power-down, in addition to the first hour of your day. For example: you might disconnect during your lunch break at work and go for a walk, or separate yourself from your screen time to spend some quality time with the kids in the afternoon. The timing doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you create a defining period of time where you are in the moment without distraction.

Focus mode

These days most smartphones come with a focus mode which allows you to tailor your smartphone to alert you of certain notifications during certain times of the day. Setting up a focus mode on your phone, means that you won’t become distracted by notifications, phone calls or messages during your down time. You can schedule your focus time for certain times of the day so that you’re not tempted to check your phone the instant it lights up.

Go off the grid one day a week

While it might seem scary at first, a tech-free day is one of the best ways to boost your wellbeing, unleash your creativity, and try new things. For an effective day off, let your friends know ahead of time that you won’t be contactable unless it is an emergency. Take the day to go to the beach, visit a farmers’ market, experiment in the kitchen or read. It might be challenging at first to resist the temptation of technology, but it will be worth it when you’re living in the moment doing something other than staring at your screen.

Practice mindfulness or meditation

During your digital detox, take some time to practice mindfulness or meditation. Make an effort to be aware of what’s going on around you: sounds, smells as well as sight. Try mindfulness for just 10 minutes a day and build it up over time. You will notice a great deal of difference in your overall wellbeing.

If you find that you are struggling with your ability to disconnect from technology and feel that it is taking a toll on your mental wellbeing, contact us today.

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