How many hours do you spend on your smartphone or computer every day? The average amount that studies have found is that people can spend around five hours each day reading, scrolling and playing on their smartphones. If you also work at a desk and behind a computer, the majority of your day is going to be dominated by technology.
It is recommended that you take regular breaks from technology in order to look after your physical, and mental well being. Here are some reasons why you should take regular technology breaks and detox days from your smartphone.
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Improve Your Physical Health
One thing that everyone can agree on is that technology can make you lazy. It can mean that you spend more time sitting and lounging around since your mind is occupied. This could be watching television for hours on end or gaming into the night.
This is not good for your health. Everyone has to make the effort to get off the couch and move. This means going for regular walks and going to the gym. This is going to make you feel good and it will improve your physical health. Having outside can be enjoyable too.
This is not to say that you cannot still enjoy technology and everything it has to offer. It is just that it cannot dominate your day to the point where you are jeopardising your physical health. For example, you can still play games in the evening or use an Android TV recorder to watch shows that you have missed.
Reduce Stress Levels
There is no doubt that a lot of joy and fun can result from using technology. But, there is also substantial evidence to show that your devices can be increasing your stress levels too. This about work emails as an example. If you have them on your smartphone, you can access them at all hours of the day. This means out with working hours. You can get a notification when someone contacts you. Both of these facts mean that you can never really turn off from working mode and enjoy some relaxation.
Instead, your smartphone and other devices can cause you to feel stressed and like you always have to be working. That is why it is beneficial to force yourself to have a technology break. It can feel strange at first and like you are missing something important to you. But, it will allow you to have some freedom and reduce your stress levels.
Enjoy the Moment
There are a lot of wonderful occasions in life. Perhaps this is watching a friend getting married or going on holiday with your family. Either way, you want to absorb every second and really enjoy the moment. After all, these moments will create memories that can last forever. But, sometimes they can be overshadowed by technology. In particular, your smartphone. Growing up in the age of technology can mean that you are attached to your phone. In other words, you want to take photos of the moment and capture it on video. While this can seem like a good idea, it means that you are not living in the moment.
Putting your smartphone away on special occasions is an important thing to do. You can take in the energy, be present with your loved ones and have some fun. Technology can be guilty of taking away your focus. Doing this can also make you more mindful and appreciative too.
Improve Your Sleep
Do you find it hard to sleep at night or do you wake up a lot during the early hours? There can be a number of reasons for this. But, one that you might not have thought about before is using technology in bed. The blue light on an electronic device can actually disrupt your sleep. So, if you watch movies in your bed on your laptop or you surf social media before you hit the hay, this could be why you are not getting a good night’s sleep.
The best thing you can do is put your smartphone or laptop away around one hour or more before bedtime. Use this time to relax and get your mind and body ready to sleep. For example, reading a book, even if it is just a few pages can help you relax and settle down for the night. All of those emails you have can wait to the morning when you are refreshed and ready to take on the day.