Unplug for your Health
Posted: October 27, 2019 | By: Stacy Croninger
From the minute your feet hit the ground each morning, you are likely looking at your phone, on your computer, or listening or watching TV. Technology is an amazing thing to keep us connected, organized, and informed. But it can also take over our lives. So the challenge becomes harnessing the power in useful ways without letting it take over our lives. There are a multitude of options, here are a few to get you started.
Why Unplug?
Often the first thing we think of about unplugging is the face time we gain with people. The connection you make when you look in someone’s eyes is irreplaceable. To quote William Shakespeare “the eyes are the window to your soul.”
Social media can create a fear of missing out (FOMO) or cause you to compare your life to others. Taking a break on a regular basis from social media can help curb these things and gives you a chance to reset and refocus. And while not all interactions on social media create these feelings, there’s something to be said for living in the moment.
One other thing to think about is your creativity and attention span. If you feel like you’re in a rut or can’t focus, step away from your computer, put down your phone, and try something different. Huffington Post shared research that spending four nature-filled hours, without electronic devices, is linked to 50 percent higher scores on a test for creativity. Plus, we might think we are great at multi-tasking, but likely that is not the case. Focusing on one task can help you be more productive. So turn off your email notifications for an hour if you have a project that you really need to finish.
Simple Changes
The First Hour of your Day
According to Henry Ward Beecher, “The first hour is the rudder of the day.” Use that first hour to set your focus for the day. Whether you meditate, identify your top tasks for the day, express gratitude, exercise, read an inspiring book, do something with that time to make your day meaningful and to set the intention for your day.
Power Down Each Day
Pick a time and duration that you turn off your electronics each day. Doing so teaches you discipline in managing your online time. It will also give you time to do other things or just be. The time of day doesn’t matter, just that you do it and consistently.
Take an Extended Break
Joshua Becker wrote an article for Becoming Minimalist and he said he has found great value in choosing 40 days each year to power-down unnecessary apps (he leaves his phone and text apps functioning). He continued saying, “It has taught me about technology, relationships, and myself. Whether it be for one weekend, one week, or 40 days, there is great value in taking an intentional extended break from technology.”
You don’t have to do all these things or for the amounts of time that Joshua Becker did, but picking even one will be a great place to start.
Youngevity Can Help
If powering down stresses you out, try replacing that time with something else, like meditating or chatting with a friend. To create a stress-free environment, consider diffusing one of Youngevity’s Essential Oils. A few to try are Focus Diffuser Blend Kit, Calming Diffuser Blend Kit, To Be At Peace, or Heaven Scent.
Here’s to a healthy life!
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