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Unplugging for Health
The Twenty Four Hour Challenge
“Why would I want to take the challenge of unplugging for health ? My phone is my link to everyone I know. TV helps me relax. My computer is a lifesaver when I need to Google the price of goji berries or check Facebook to find out what my friends are doing.”
If these, or similar concerns arise when you contemplate unplugging, pause. Relax and breathe. You can plug right back in at the end of the experiment, and twenty-four hours isn’t long.
Why Bother?
Your electronic gadgets are helpful. They’re an expression of modernity, the way forward, and indispensable when you want to call a cab, advertise your prowess online, and catch up with Game of Thrones. Nonetheless, set them aside for a single day and you’ll learn a few important facts about yourself you can’t discover any other way. It is definitely an eye opening experience, and not easy the first time around.
You Can Manage Without Them
Have you ever gone ballistic because you mislaid your phone? Ummmmm….YES! Plenty of people suffer the searing agony of withdrawal, even panic attacks at the mere thought of not being plugged in, so it’s not surprising if losing your phone scares you witless.
The reason not having your gadgets to hand worries you, though, isn’t because you can’t do without them. Your perception is skewed. Not only can you cope if the Internet goes down for a day, your TV breaks, or your smartphone slips down a drain, but you’ll lose the fear of not having constant access to the world you can’t see in front of you. Some people this takes longer, but indeed your anxiety for constant connection will fade.
Your Stress Level Will Drop
You might imagine not being plugged in is stressful. Losing touch with Instagram, though, and many other online sites will reduce anxiety. You won’t be able to compare your looks, vacation, significant other, or anything else with what you see and hear from other people when you’re not plugged in to the Internet or talking on the phone. What a relief!
Also, you won’t be everyone’s go-to ear in which to complain, gossip, or offload unless you’re within physical reach. Sure, you want to support your friend who’s having relationship problems, and hear the latest news about people you care about, but frankly, you can do without the excitement and worry for a while. It’s just 24 hours. Who knows this may be the beginning of a regular routine to creates some “me” time.
Your relationships will flourish
People often imagine their relationships will go downhill if they aren’t in constant contact. The truth, though, is when you unplug, you can give the people you are with your full attention for a change. You won’t be distracted by your gadgets beeping, ringing, or silently demanding you use them. Constantly!
Plus, you can save personal news rather than spill the beans about every detail of your life the moment it occurs. You’ll look forward to hearing other people’s news too, if they haven’t already given you the lowdown on their lives the second events happen.
You’ll have more time
As you aren’t checking your emails or watching the latest disasters on the TV, its time to take a deep breath a relax. Do something not “plugged in”. Find something you enjoy. Maybe painting is your thing. Now is the perfect time. Begin painting the picture you’ve been meaning to start but have not had the time. Go for a walk, decorate the kitchen, or plant seedlings. Once you unplug, you will be amazed how much time you have to enjoy life outside electronics.
If you unplug, the next twenty-four hours without gadgets could change your life for the better. Your reliance on staying connected will fade, and you’ll gain freedom, space, and time.
Final Words
Unplugging, even for twenty four hours, seems impossible for some. Believe me, I have personally heard ‘everything’ because I was not immediately available to the other person and their demands. It fades over time. I still hear “you never answer your phone”. I just care less. Especially if it is not an emergency- this I will attend.
The fantastic thing about todays smart phones are the features. Mute, Do Not Disturb, sending an immediate message in return, and my personal favorite “I’m driving.” All of this allows us the control of the almost continuous interruptions in your day. Before I did this, I seriously wanted to throw my devices in the pool, and move to a private island. I had absolutely no time for “me”, and my anxiety level was through the roof!. Does any of this sound familiar?
Since taking the unplugging challenge, the quality of my life has improved. I no longer have a TV, I only check my email twice a day, I schedule social posts ahead of time….it goes on and on. I highly suggest you try it, and develop a routine of a disconnect day at least once month . I promise, this challenge will change your life.
Are you ready to take on the challenge to unplug for health?
After all, August 15th is #NationalRelaxtionDay
22 comments
Very very interesting read Kathleen, to think that I shared an article promoting the very existence of these technologies, lol. But you’re very right, just think of the paralyzing fear and the subsequent agony of losing a smartphone or a device you are hooked on. Learning to zone out of these techs and be offline for a change can do a lot of good.
Great read, thank you.
Thank You for your comment. It is amazing. In the business of social media, and blogging. I am actually off-line and doing other things now then ever.
This is a really interesting chahenge, but given the fact that all my work happens over net, i really doubt, i can do it. But anyway, I will surely try once
My entire world is wired to some device. blogger, social media, healthcare provider. I have faith you can do it! I schedule time out during the day, and make this my “me” time. Thanks for your comment.
Yes unplugging would be hard but yes we’re in for it. Spoilt many a trips by just spending time clicking and updating on social media.
I honestly am not ready for this challenge yet, but this is a very good idea, and I really believe that it will be beneficial to us. It got me curious if I will really be able to handle to unplug from my device for 24 hours, one day hopefully I will.
I have to admit it was hard at first, so I get it. With all the features you can shut off now if not a total cut off, at least we are better able to limit our plugged in time. It’s funny. When my full time job became “connected”, I wanted nothing more than to unplug more than ever.The quality of my life has changed so much. I feel much more connected to the people in my life.I hope you reflect and think about this, and if not for a day for a little while. Thank you for your comment. Have an awesome day.
At this moment, this is quite a tough challenge to take but worth trying this. I will surely do this from the upcoming months.
Let me know how you do. I am very interested if anyone does it and the challenges and experience.
Unplugging is really important, otherwise as you stated you start comparing yourself or anxiety kicks in. It feels good to not be so dependent on your devices.
Could not agree more.
I haven’t Done this challange yet but i really do need to. just taking one day shouldn’t be so bad. I take your challange!
Let me know how it turns out. You will be the first to take the challenge. You can do it.
This is quite a big challenge for someone like who spends most of my time on my phone and laptop. But yeah, definitely worth taking the challenge for a day, all the benefits you stated are really encouraging for the same. Great post.
It is for sure. I feel the same. My full time job is 24/7 device related. The small changes I made, and taking a full day break has improved my life dramatically.
As much as I want to do this challenge, I can’t. Internet, laptops and phones is the essentials of my work.
I need this. For sure. Before I met my husband, I didn’t even own a cellphone. He laughs about it now, because he had to convince me to get one and I’ve become like a cyborg. It’s tough for me, because I have ADHD and it is SO amazing to have everything in little lists, organized in one space. But it’s also time consuming and distracting.
Always do what is healthy for you and keeping your ADHD in check, and of course follow recommendations from your healthcare provider.
Yes! We unplug as a family on a regular basis. Its sp good to get out in the real world and actually talk to eachother.
Yay! Good for you.
Unplugging makes it so much easier to spend quality time together. I highly recommend it to others. :
I really wish that there was a way that I could unplug for a couple days. It seems impossible in this day!