Go Old School and Reduce Screen Time!
How many hours a day do you spend on your phone, computer or tablet? While checking an email and scrolling through Facebook may seem like something you do briefly when you’re bored, Americans, on average, are spending around 6 hours a day on their devices. Imagine what you could with a whole 6 hours every day if you weren’t tapping away on your phone?
As we embark on the second week of our 28-Day Mindbody Tune-Up, we are taking this week to reflect on being in the present and taking needed breaks from the use of our smart devices and social media. Plug back into things that are happening around you and activities that you enjoy that aren’t technologically related. You’d be surprised how many benefits you may experience just by taking a break.
Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep plays an important role in our mental and physical health, and if our sleep is interrupted or we’re not getting enough, it can throw off our whole day. That reason alone is why it’s important to take a break from blue light expelled from your phones at least an hour before bedtime. You see, by neglecting to use our phones before bed gives our brains the chance to relax.
Studies have shown that being exposed to the blue-and-white light given off by phones, laptops, and other electronic gadgets at night prevents our brains from releasing melatonin, a hormone that tells our bodies it’s nighttime. And without melatonin, it will take longer to fall asleep and stay asleep.
So instead of your nightly go-to of watching TV or scrolling on Facebook, try reading a book before bed. Who knows, the benefits of a good night sleep may cause you to completely change up your bedtime routine.
Take A Break From Social Media
Did you know that spending too much time on your phone and social media can cause stress and anxiety? In today’s age of online media, it’s natural for people to want to know what’s going on with their friends, celebrities, and loved-ones. However, while social media has its benefits, using it too frequently can cause people to feel increasingly unhappy and bogged down because of the need to “compete” with their friends or people they follow online.
So take the opportunity and see if you can give up social media for a whole day this week. Anytime you feel the need to grab your phone to scroll through your feeds…interact with the people next to you instead.
Explore New Activities
Last week we encouraged you to try new instructors or formats because change is good for you, and if you’re escaping the grasps of social media and technology this week, you may find that you have more time to spare. So why not try and squeeze in some more classes to meet your challenge goal, or find other activities that inspire you that don’t require the use of a computer or phone.
Find some time this week to take a class, go on a walk, ride a bike, go for a hike, workout at Red Rocks, read a book, write in your journal, get a massage, etc. Use your free time to give yourself some self-love.
—
Overall, we hope that during the second week of our Fall Challenge you’re able to shut off from technology and are able to find yourself more grounded and ready to take on what life has in store!
Read Our Week One Blog Post Here!
