
Today try to enjoy an electricity-free day. Turn off your TV, computer, mobile phone and radio, and take time to reflect
The current effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the world-wide response to stop its devastating spread has turned our lives upsidedown breaking us out of so many of daily habits and routines. Scientists are measuring reduction of air pollution and significant reductions to carbon emissions. Many more of us are choosing to walk or bike other than drive for short errands or taking long walks rediscovering our local neighborhoods.
Going screen free for a day can be a real challenge for many of us is this age of high information consumption. The Forbes article 4 Reasons to Turn Off Your Phone provides beneficial insights into building new practices around how we consume information. Here is an excerpt from that article.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Jeremiah 18:1-19:14
My Device Makes Me Stressed
It’s no surprise, then, that 73 percent of respondents believe that their devices contribute to stress in their lives. (Learn more about the stress epidemic and how it’s impacting you.)
We Spend More Time With Screens Than People
It’s bad enough that we’ll interrupt what we’re doing with those we love to do something that will undoubtedly leave us more stressed — but more and more people are opting for screen time over the company of others. Three out of five people admitted to spending more of their free time on their computers than with their significant others.
3 Ways to Dial Down Your Device
Multiple devices and unlimited freedom wreak havoc on our attention spans, our social relationships and likely our productivity. More important than summer Fridays, let’s prepare for vacation and summer with three changes than can have a strong impact of a tough behavior problem:
Rethink the effects. Next time you do a quick scan of email, text, and social networks, ask yourself, what did you learn and how did it make you feel? We rarely take the time to reflect on it, but doing so and owning up to how it makes you feel and what, if anything, it’s doing for you, is the first step to making a shift.
Rethink the urge.When you feel yourself reaching for your device hit pause. Ask yourself what could be gained from checking right now. Delay it–especially if you’re in the middle of food or conversation. Try to remember what you learned the last time you did that scan, i.e., nothing that couldn’t wait.
Rethink your time. Rather than let digital inertia take over, make a plan: to go out, to see people, to get food, meet someone for a walk. It does require an extra effort to put yourself in front of other people, even the ones you live with — but the rewards you’ll reap from that company will outweigh anything you’ll find on Facebook. If you’re feeling very adventurous, try this: leave your device at home for a day. Remind yourself what life feels like when you don’t connect.