5 Reasons to Unplug

Don’t get me wrong, the modern world is wonderful. As I’ve written about in a past blog post, we are living in a better time than ever before–an era of relative peace, longevity, equality, and ingenuity. But is it perfect? Far from it.

Even though we can connect to each other in an instant via email, messaging, Slack, What’s App…are we really Connecting (with a capital “C”)?  I argue that, no, we are not. In fact, technology can be downright detrimental to our mental health, our finances, and our overall happiness. That’s why I encourage you to unplug from time to time–to put your phone in airplane mode, to step away from your computer, to go outside and be in the presence of friends and family. As a society, we are unhappier now than we’ve been in 50 years, and I think our constant exposure to social media and the news media is mostly to blame. So…

Here are 5 Reasons to Unplug:

1. It Helps Your Self-Esteem

When we’re online, we constantly compare ourselves to others. It’s a natural thing to do when we’re surrounded by images of beauty and perfection on social media. We wonder why our lives aren’t so flawless, why our bodies aren’t so trim, and why our children aren’t as well behaved as everyone else’s seem to be. Of course, few people post their mundane or (heaven forbid!) their negative experiences online. They only post the version of their life they want you to see–most often, the one seen through rose-tinted glasses (or Snapchat filters!).

2. It Saves You Money

When you choose to step away from your devices, you are no longer exposed to a constant stream of advertisements. Whether you’re logged onto Facebook or Instagram, or simply browsing through Google, you’re bound to see dozens of ads targeted directly at you. Ads have become increasingly smarter as they mine your search data and figure out what you might need. Were you just searching for vacation ideas in the southern California? You’ll probably get tons of ads geared toward visiting Disney Land, Hollywood, and the coast. Searching for wrinkle cream? You’ll probably start seeing dozens of face-firming ads! By distancing yourself from these ads, you’ll be less tempted to make an impulse buy.

3. It Saves You Time

Yes, technology can be a time saver. We save time by sending emails instead of picking up the phone. We save time by asking Google to answer a question, rather than researching the answer at a local library. However, it can also be a time sink. The average person spends over two hours every day on social media (3 hours/day for those ages 16-24!). That’s time you could spend cooking a homemade meal, learning a new skill, riding your bike, or simply talking with your family or friends.

4. It Makes You More Active

Technology can be a tether…and too often it tethers us to the couch or to our office chair. According to the American Heart Association, “Sedentary jobs have increased 83% since 1950.” We are sitting more today than at any other time in history, and that is taking a huge toll on our physical and mental health. So, when you have a choice to unplug, do it! Get up and move. Go on a hike, hit the gym, or toss a baseball with your child. Even taking a quiet walk is beneficial to your health. When we unplug, we have more incentive to MOVE.

5. It Fosters Human Connections

I fear we’re losing our ability to connect with others face-to-face. Today, so much happens between screens that it seems like a novelty to meet with someone in-person. When we choose to unplug from our devices, we open ourselves to the possibility of human connections. When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with a friend or loved one? These types of interactions cannot be replicated through text messages. There is something truly unique about sitting across from someone, meeting their eyes, and listening to what they have to say. When we remove the barrier of technology, it is possible to deepen our connections with others.

 

Though technology has benefited our lives in many ways, it can also be a hindrance. It pays to take a break from constant screen time every once in a while and simply unplug. What could you gain by making an effort to unplug today?