Our lives have become consumed with digital technology,
whether it’s using our smart phones, tablets or laptops, it seems to be a daily
occurrence for most people, and whilst there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with
this, I believe there’s a balance to be had between staying connected and
knowing when to disconnect.
I, like most, enjoy interacting with my friends on Whatsap. I
also like instagram and will ‘check in’ most days (quite a few times) often for
no particular reason, mainly because it’s quite addictive scrolling through the
home page. (When I was more active on
Facebook, I have also been guilty of scrolling through endless pictures of
people I haven’t even met, oops)!
Although I do interact digitally most days, I also make a
conscious effort to have time away from my phone. When I’m with my son I try
and keep wifi and data off and sometimes keep the phone in a different room to
avoid distractions from the outside world. The same is true when I have dinner
with friends and family or when I’m watching a film. The main reason for doing
this is that it keeps me in the present moment.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read articles or heard
on the radio the benefits to having time away from social media. Indeed it’s
good for our mental health. Stepping in to nature is a wonderful example of how
to be present and the experience is all the more valuable when we’re not live
streaming it online.
So, next time you feel you’re investing too much energy in
your smart devices, try having a no smart device day, or even just a morning or
an hour! Having a digital detox is so refreshing and it can reset your mind and
will often leave you feeling happier. What are you waiting for?
