We all know that modern-day devices are fun.
Smartphones are amazing.
Computers are literally a miraculous breakthrough in science and technology.
And televisions provide us with all kinds of opportunities for entertainment and fun.
With that being said, it’s also true that, sometimes, these devices can go a little bit too far—and they can cause us some pretty significant stress.
For example—your digital screens can play havoc with your sleep and reduce your quality of rest on a nightly basis.
If people play their videos and music too loud in your near vicinity, it can be very easy to get overwhelmed.
Plus, with social media and messenger apps nearby and within arm’s reach at all times, it’s not surprising that anxiety can flare up every time you hear a ‘beep,’ ‘ping,’ or ‘chime.’
So what should we do about it?
Should we ditch the devices altogether?
Or should we just find a way to coexist with them so that we don’t completely blitz out our nerves on a continual basis?
These are great questions.
And the truth probably falls somewhere close to common sense moderation.
So let’s talk about 3 methods that you can start using today to unplug and gain just a little bit of ‘freedom’ from your electronic digital devices.
1. Put Your Devices Away Before Going To Bed
When you look at your device screen too close to bedtime, the blue light can trick your brain into thinking that the sun is coming up.
And this can throw off your circadian rhythm.
In order to avoid this, try putting your device away at least 2 hours before it’s time to go to bed.
You should do the same with your laptop, your tablet, and your TV screen.
This will help to keep your brain synced up with your natural circadian rhythm.
And it’ll help you a lot with your quality of sleep.
2. Schedule Some ‘Device-Free Time’
At least once per week, try to schedule a block of time (we recommend 4 to 6 hours) where you totally unplug from devices and don’t even look at them.
In other words—leave your phone in the drawer, leave the laptop in the bag, and just go do something without even looking at a screen.
Some obvious great ideas for this are to go hiking, enjoy nature, visit the beach, hang out with friends or loved ones, etc.
Just do whatever you’d like—except, choose to do it for a period of time without looking at a screen of any kind.
You’d be amazed at how much freedom this will bring you—and it’ll likely make you feel much less stressed.
3. Declare A Part Of Your Home ‘Device-Free’
Consider running a test where you designate one room in your home to be ‘device free.’
In other words, before anyone enters this room, they’ll literally need to leave their devices outside.
This could be the living room, your bedroom, the hobby room, etc.
Just experiment and see what works best for you.
You could even designate the dining room as the device-free room, which will make meals together that much better.