Why a Tech-Free Day Can Boost Your Mental Health
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Why is having a Tech-Free Day so important in our modern times? Technology can take a toll on people’s mental health, especially when you’re glued to a screen for several hours a day. Sometimes, you can’t help it, like if your job requires you to sit in front of a computer. However, you can control how you use your devices during your leisure time.
Boost your mental health by taking a day away from technology. Think of how much fun it has stolen from you after hours of mindless content consumption each day, and you may want to rethink how often you use your devices when it isn’t necessary.
Tech-Free Day: What Technology Does to Your Brain
The ease of access to technology has completely transformed people’s brains, sometimes for better, but other times for much worse. You may have started to notice some signs that you’re spending too much time on your devices — headaches, blurry eyesight and so much more are all indicative that you should spend less screen time. Technology works to reshape your brain, leaving you to experience some surprising side effects.
1. Creates Addiction
You can access your cellphone at any point of the day. Knowing that you can pull it out and check the time, respond to messages or play a game can lead to an addiction. About 31% of cellphone use can be attributed to self-control issues. When you have no reason to pull away from your phone, you may not recognize that addiction is there.
2. Leads to Shorter Attention Spans
Instant gratification is rarely a good thing. Short-form content is the latest thing social media platforms push onto their users, and more people are finding it easier than ever to be endlessly stimulated by content online. Once you’re done with a 30-second video, you can swipe up for another one. As a result, regular smartphone usage can be linked to a lower attention span, affecting you in all areas of life.
3. Causes Phantom Vibrations
You may experience phantom vibrations even if your phone isn’t in your pocket. This syndrome makes you feel like you have an urgent notification to check, but your phone screen may not display anything. Think about how often people check their phones every day and feel that someone is trying to get in touch with them — and some people may have a fear of missing out (FOMO) as a result.
Tech-Free Day: Benefits You’ll Reap Without Technology
Setting your devices down for just a day opens you up to the benefits of using less technology in your daily life. You can do more activities you love — from reading a book to going on fun adventures with your loved ones.
1. Time for Self-Care
You’re constantly wired to everyone else who has technology in the palms of their hands when attached to your phone. You may feel pressure to respond to a message right away or be consistently available for your loved ones. Before technology, no one felt this immediate pressure to get back to their loved ones or be seen as neglectful.
Setting your phone down for a day can help you have more time for yourself. Choose to be selfish and refuse to make any plans so your brain can have a break. You’ll never know how much you could get done for yourself without technology until you actually set your phone down.
2. Mindful Living
You’ll be able to focus on your surroundings more without your phone in the palm of your hand. You can eat a meal with loved ones without devices and fully savor the conversation and the food without being distracted by mindless scrolling. You can enjoy more activities with your family and friends without worrying about your phone flying out of your pocket and breaking. Take time to live mindfully with others.
3. Better Focus
You can focus on the life in front of you without technology. You can complete tasks that require your total focus, like DIY projects you’ve been putting off. Even after you’ve had your day without technology, you can continue using it with limits if you enjoy the extra focus you get without being plugged in. Consider setting limits on certain apps so you can’t access them after using your allotment for the day.
4. Retrained Brain
You’re unknowingly retraining your brain to function better without technology once you set your phone down for a day. You’ll start to knock your circadian rhythm back on track, and you might even begin to eliminate some of the anxiety that comes with not checking your phone often. Participating in real-life, longer activities might even start to lengthen your attention span.
5. Improved Sleep
One major thing you might notice is improved sleep quality. Most people strive to shut down technology for an hour or so before bed, but you can take it a step further on your day without technology. Blue light can make it harder for people to fall asleep and it can make you sleep less, leading to all sorts of health issues later in life. Setting your technology aside lets you create a new nighttime routine that can leave you feeling healthier and more refreshed.
Tech-Free Day: Technology Isn’t All Bad
You may not want to give up technology forever. It’s become the easiest way to keep in touch with loved ones and search for things you want to know. However, going a day without it can help you feel calmer and more relaxed. Anyone who needs you immediately can go through your partner, family member, or friend.
Your tech-free day should be without worries — and that means that, unless it’s an emergency, everything can wait for you to reset and focus on yourself.
What is National Day of Unplugging?
Wired: Everything You Need to Enjoy One Tech-Free Day a Week
Ana Angela: How to Practice Tech Free Day
Tech-Free Days: How Limiting Screen Time Made Our Kids Happier
4 Reasons To Go Tech-Free One Day A Week
