6 Ways to Take a Break from Technology
Technology is ubiquitous today. Be it for work or play, our lives seem to be designed around various technologies. There is no doubt that technology has improved our lives for the better, however it is also worthwhile to point out the few casualties of the technology overload. Our social interactions and etiquette are two which figure prominently. Add to that the stress imposed on us, the sedentary lifestyles, the obesity and the constant distractions affecting our productivity. All this and more make a compelling case for taking a break from technology. Here are ways to make sure you do it.
1. Go on a hiking/camping trip
A camping trip is a great way to actually sanitize yourself from technology for a short while. This is because a trip like that requires you to be physically active as well as socialize with people face to face. Activities like pitching a tent, burning firewood and drinking in the views do not go well with texting continuously on your smartphone. Add to that the fact that such trips are generally in areas which are remote and far removed from the omnipotent wifi or sim card networks, thus ensuring that you truly and actually become disconnected for a while.
2. Cultivate strict technology habits
Are you addicted to checking your phone every once in a while? Do you HAVE to answer every text and email the instant it is received? Do you feel anxious if you are late in uploading pictures of your latest trip on Facebook? If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, then you have bad technology habits and need to change. It is important to decouple yourself from the need to check your phone or tablet all the time. Every time you feel the urge to check the blink on your phone, stop yourself and delay acting on your impulse. You will slowly be able to wean yourself away from the lure of it. This will slowly spread to your activities like social networking and help you decongest your life a little.
3. Become a little rude
It is rude to ignore your friends isn’t it? Well yes it is, but it is important to do so once in a while. Especially with the volume of interactions that we are forced to have with another – through email, chat applications, blogs and social networks. It is important to sometimes not reply to that text immediately or not go and like all the photos your friends have shared. You need to look within yourself and spend some quality time with yourself rather than sharing, commenting and liking 24/7.
