Unplug to recharge!

A few summers ago, I attended a yoga retreat and the experience was both relaxing and enlightening. This was partly due to the forced separation from my phone, television and internet.  The retreat didn’t have televisions or internet in the rooms and you were discouraged from using your phone in the public areas.  I’ll admit, I was a little concerned and I found myself questioning how I would make it without my treasured connection to the world. 

As it turns out, you can survive four days (Maybe more😉) without checking your email and social media sites.  You can also survive without being bombarded daily with all of the negativity that the daily news reports bring. While many others were relieved to get back to the “real world”, I found a certain peace in the experience.  I had time to read a book that had been placed on the back burner.  I had time to meditate and reflect on my life and my many blessings.  I even found time to write a few thank you letters to people who have been inspirations in my life. 

When I returned, I dug a little deeper into how others felt about their attachment to their devices and the impact it had on their lives.  According to research conducted by the University of California:

• 81% of people admit to interrupting conversations, mealtime or time with family and friends to check their social media, text messages or email.

• 61% of people say they can’t ignore their electronic devices.  They feel a need to respond right away to each text or phone call.

• 50% of people check their work email outside of work hours, including weekends and vacations.

• 73% of people believe their use of electronic devices has contributed to stress in their life.

• 60% of people spend more free time on their electronic devices than they do with their significant other.

• 61% of people have felt jealous, depressed, sad, overwhelmed and annoyed after checking their social media accounts.

In this New Year, I encourage you to invest less time on your devices and more time in relationships. Pay extra attention to your relationships. Our connections with others can be sources of both positive emotions and better health. Research by Positive Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson (2013) shows that the daily moments of connection that we feel with others are “the tiny engines that drive the upward spiral between positivity and health. If we all took time to create positive connections with others—in brief interactions, as well as in our most intimate relationships—we could all be on our way to a healthier and happier life.

References

Fredrickson, B. L., & Kok, B. E. (2013, May 9). Social connections drive the upward spiral of positive emotions and health. Association for Psychological Science. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/social-connections-drive-the-upward-spiral-of-positive-emotions-and-health.html

Panza, A. (2024, February 19). Managing your social media intake. Winds of Change – AISES. https://woc.aises.org/content/managing-your-social-media-intake