The device you carry around in your pocket or purse is powerful. And convenient. It keeps our minds occupied. Which means that sometimes we spend a lot of free time scrolling through social media feeds. After a while, these small bits of time add up.
But when you’re able to unplug, even for just a little while, you and those around you can benefit. You can do things that help you manage stress and improve your daily life.
Here are three benefits of taking time to unplug:
1. You create more than you consume.
As you scroll through your phone or tablet, you consume a lot of ideas from other people. But what about your own? When’s the last time you took some time to create something of your own? If it’s been a while, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Try out something new in your martial arts class.
- Write something in a journal.
- Use the musical instrument that’s been hanging out in the corner.
- Spend some time digging in your backyard garden.
- Send someone a card.
When you take a break from your devices, you give your brain some space to think and create. You might even remind yourself of something that you used to enjoy!
2. You make more eye contact.
Making eye contact with another person, even if it’s only for a few short seconds, can have a positive impact on them. But as the amount of time we spend on our phones increases, eye contact decreases. A lack of eye contact shuts the door to potential conversations and relationships.
The next time you find yourself waiting in line at a grocery store or coffee shop, take notice of your surroundings – especially the people. Smile and make eye contact, maybe even say hello.
3. You sleep better.
At bedtime, it’s all too tempting to crawl under the covers and start scrolling. But, unfortunately, the blue light coming from your phone can affect your sleep—all that screen time before bed can disrupt your body’s natural sleep patterns.
The solution?
Turn off your phone before you crawl into bed. If you can, leave it in a separate room. And if you happen to use your phone as an alarm, be disciplined about leaving it on your nightstand. You could even disable your phone’s Wi-Fi connection or use your phone’s airplane mode, so you’re less tempted to use it.
To learn more about The Way Family Dojo in Magnolia and our family-focused martial arts classes, contact us today.