Do you ever to feel like your life is being ruled by technology? Do you wish you could unplug and unwind once in awhile? Are you unhappy with this? If you’re still working, perhaps there’s pressure to keep in touch with the office at all times?
Could it be your entertainment during leisure time is mostly to be had through online venues – Netflix, games and digital books? Are there days when you realize you’ve barely spent any time away from your cell phone, tablet or laptop?
Then it’s definitely time to limit the hold technology has on your life. Especially when it involves your leisure time.
Unhappy? Unplug & Unwind
First and foremost, try to identify what aspect of the plugged-in life bugs you most and then turn it off for a while.
- For some, the cure for an overload of technology is to take a total physical and mental break from computers and phones and other electronic devices. Completely. Shut ‘em off.
- For others, it’s often just one aspect of technology that’s a problem. These people need to identify what it is and walk away from it periodically.
In the latter case, some people say it’s the physical strain of staring at a screen while sitting at a desk. Other people complain about the pressure to “keep up” on social media. It’s what keeps them “plugged in” all the time. And some say they are addicted to the endless “breaking news” syndrome, or responding to texts endlessly. They are those people who don’t want to miss a thing!
Set Boundaries
Could it be that your tech habits have replaced or interfere with other things you used to enjoy? Try taking a walk without your phone. Or reading a book (and not on a Kindle). Or listening to live music (take off your headphones). How about socializing with friends or colleagues, or eating a meal without constantly checking your device(s)? All these activities and more used to be done without the presence of a phone in hand.
If you’re tired of the nonstop barrage of electronic beeps and blinks maybe it’s time to take a “time out from tech”. How people do this for themselves will vary according to their needs and circumstances.
Some Solutions
- If you’re working too much, decide, for instance, to put your laptop away at 7 p.m.
- If you’re constantly sucked into responding to people’s messages, try to check email and social media platforms only twice a day.
- Stop looking at your phone the minute you wake up. Decide not to even look at it until after you’ve had your morning coffee.
- Make your weekends (or two other days per week) tech-free. A tough commitment, but in the long run, one worth making.
- Take time out to do things you did before technology took over your free time activities: read a book, play a sport, practice that musical instrument or engage in a non tech hobby – one you used to love doing. Rediscover activities that motivate you to join the physical world and enable you to let go of the virtual one for a while.
Above All, Set Guidelines for Others’ Expectations
Tell your colleagues, friends, and family members you’re taking a “time out from tech”. This way, they will grow accustomed to you not being available all the time. They will know you only respond at certain times of the day (or maybe not at all on weekends) and so on and so forth. Doing so will change their expectations of you
Technology can be a wonderful tool – it can even help you relax. All we are suggesting is to put down your devices and appreciate the world around you. Once you break the bonds of non-stop tech, you’ll almost certainly be more relaxed.
By doing so, you can unplug, unwind and not be unhappy!