Learn to Unplug for Better Life Balance

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On average, a person spends 10 hours looking at screens every day. That number is astonishing, but it feels like we need those screens for just about everything we do these days. Whether we’re comparing software products on Sonary or watching Netflix for our entertainment, we’re using electronics to do the things we need or want to do. But, research shows that all that time in front of screens is not good for us. We need to learn to unplug once in a while to balance our lives. Here are some tips to help you disconnect.

Wean Yourself Off Electronics

You don’t have to unplug all at once and in fact, if you try that, you are probably going to fail. This is just like with drugs or other addictions. You may need to reduce the time you spend with electronics by a little bit each week or month, whatever time frame works for you. Try reducing your usage by 10% at a time. You probably won’t miss that 10% reduction and before you know it, you’ll be at a point where you feel like you’re in control again.

Of course, if you’re like most people, electronics are a part of your life and you won’t be able to get rid of them entirely. But, you can get to a place where you have more balance in your life between online and offline activities. This is more difficult to do than you may think because of how dependent we’ve become on our phones and computers, which is why weaning yourself off slowly will work better than going cold turkey.

Establish Technology-Free Areas

Create spaces in your home where technology isn’t allowed at all. These spaces might include the bedroom, the dining room, the kitchen, or another area that can be a place where you can relax and unwind without the distraction of screens. The hardest part about this tip is enforcing the technology ban in these rooms. It will help if you remove any technology that’s already there, including televisions and computers, along with their chargers.

These areas should be free from technology for everyone in the house. Otherwise, the restrictions won’t work for long. If you see another family member on their phone in the dining room, it will be easy for you to backslide and grab your own phone. Once everyone is on board with the new rules, you’ll achieve a significant reduction in your technology usage throughout the day.

Turn Off Notifications

A lot of our time on electronics is eaten up by social media use, which means it’s typically not very productive time. You can help avoid these sites by turning off your notifications for them. If you don’t know what you’re missing, you’re less likely to be drawn to these sites. Notifications are distracting for other people as well, so if you’re trying to help others unplug at the same time as you are, turning off your notifications is a courteous thing to do.

Conclusion

Disconnecting from electronics is necessary once in a while for a healthy mind. By taking some small steps like the ones presented here toward reducing your dependence on devices, you can live a more balanced life.

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