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Over the past decade, two inarguable things have happened: our phones have become an essential part of daily lives, and our stress levels have reached peaks not usually seen outside of major wartime.
Is there a connection? Many studies answer this with a resounding “Yes.”
Between social media envy, FOMO (fear of missing out), the type of content we watch, and the constant stimulation to the brain, it’s not surprising that too much screen time is bad for our mental health.
When you’re used to having technology at your fingertips, ”unplugging” can be a scary idea. Yet, experts say it could be the best thing for you and your relationships. Here are some of the top benefits you’ll see when you unplug at least one day a week.
1. It Increases Productivity
If you’re not sure how much of your day disappears down the rabbit hole of phone scrolling and gaming, download an app to monitor your usage. If it’s less than 30 minutes or so, ehh, that’s not too big of a deal. But if much of your day is wasted on unproductive phone use, imagine how much you could get done by unplugging for a day or two!
Try this the next time you have a project to complete. Start a timer for one hour, and put your phone in another room. Yes, there are timers that are separate from cell phones! Keep working straight through until the timer goes off, and see how much you got done compared to what you would’ve done in that same time frame if your phone was within your reach.
Multiply that by whatever your goal of unplugging is (10-20 hours is a great start), and you’ll see that you’ll be working less and getting more done!
2. It Enhances Your Relationships With Those Closest to You
When your phone screen or TV isn’t distracting you, it forces you to put your attention elsewhere, like on your friends and family. When was the last time you had a phone-free, TV-free meal? Is the television the way you and your family connect at night?
Skipping tech devices for a few hours a day or 24 hours straight might mean no one talks to anyone right away. But over time, as you get used to consistently unplugging, you all learn how to reconnect and talk to each other about important things.
Swap the TV for board games or a walk around the neighborhood. Come up with family traditions that your kids can pass down to their children. By putting away the devices, you’re teaching those who look up to you how to entertain themselves.
3. It Opens You Up to Other Hobbies
How many times have you caught yourself saying, “If only I had more time in the day, I’d love to … (fill in the blank).” Well, depending on what that tracker app says, you probably do have the time to learn that new skill or engage in that hobby. You just don’t use it right!
By filling the “no-tech” time with things you’ve been dreaming of doing or old passions and hobbies you set aside because of your hectic schedule, you end up not missing your devices. You learn how to do new things, expand your skills, and improve your overall well-being in ways that playing on a screen or watching TV could never do for you.
4. It May Improve Your Health
Do you struggle with falling or staying asleep? The culprit could be the blue light on your devices or the stimulation of an action-packed or emotional show. Over time, missing sleep creates a buildup of plaque in your brain, which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Overly stimulating the brain is also thought to be a reason why so many people have anxiety and depression today. Watching other people’s content, clicking links, and scrolling through posts have a direct negative effect on physical and mental health.
Combating anxiety and teen suicidal tendencies with natural solutions such as medical marijuana can help. If you or a loved one is battling depression or other mental health concerns, talk to your doctor about how cannabinoids may improve your overall health.
In the meantime, no matter how much it “hurts” at first, unplugging may be the quickest way to reduce depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
Feelings of depression or thinking that you’re rushing through life are common, especially in today’s post-pandemic world. While we’re used to having technology at our fingertips, the same thing that makes life easier could be part of what’s causing you such hardship. Take some time out of your day or week and unplug. Your mental health will thank you for it.
Image Credit: Photo by Total Shape on Unsplash