Do you know how much time you spend looking at a screen each day? You might not even realize how often you’re actually staring at the “black mirror.” Between checking the time, turning off morning alarms, checking emails, and everything else that comes with being a human in a digital age, we’re seemingly tethered to our devices. Even now, I’m writing this on a screen. Our lives are interlocked with screens. There’s a ton of upsides to technology, of course. But every once in a while, it’s good to take the time to put the screens away and go off the grid, even if only for a day.
There have been endless studies that show the positive benefits of unplugging yourself from technology, both mental and physical. Spending too much time in front of a screen can negatively impact you physically, from eye strain to neck, hand, and wrist issues. It also takes a toll on your mental health — social media has been shown to increase negative feelings such as isolation, depression, and jealousy. The benefits of unplugging are as myriad as the negative impact of staying glued to your screen. From increased productivity to better sleep to decreased anxiety and depression, most people that study the effect of technology agree that it’s crucial to get away from it every once in a while.
This isn’t to say that technology is the ‘bad guy.’ So much of our lives are intertwined with technology because of the positive benefits it has on our lives. Having endless information at our fingertips keeps ignorance at bay. Tasks are simplified, time is saved, and transportation is easier. But it’s important to realize that we are pretty reliant on technology, and taking a break is important for our health, and also a great way to reconnect with nature, ourselves, and each other.
Think about how much more connected you’d feel to your loved ones by spending an afternoon together with no phones, television, or computers. How much more in tune with yourself you’d be if you weren’t being bombarded by the opinions of strangers on the internet. How peaceful a walk in your neighborhood would be without music or a podcast playing in your ears. Think of how much you’d be able to get done! Read that book you’ve been eyeing on your shelf, paint that picture, play that board game.
Commit to unplugging for one day, and see where it takes you.
