There is no question that our generation is more connected than before. For many of us, our mobile phones, tablets, and laptop computers are our lifeline to the outside world. Hardly an hour goes by where we aren't notified of some new activity on one of our various feeds. Many people believe that it is healthy for us to take a little time to unplug every day. But we've trained ourselves to respond to every notification instantaneously, and resisting the urge is challenging.
You'll Sleep Better
Over thousands of years our brains have developed several subconscious signals that stimulate our sleep and wake cycles. It's only been in the last 50 years that technology has evolved to the point where we're negatively impacting our natural instincts. In the morning, the sun is much more intense than in the evening. This bright, stimulating light triggers a response in our mind that tells us it's time to wake up. For this reason, using our mobile devices at night can negatively impact our sleep. Getting a good, uninterrupted night's sleep is essential for all of our health functions. Powering down our phones for an hour or two right before bed can drastically improve our sleep.
It's Easy
For some people, it's virtually impossible to put our devices down for even an hour. While our ability to access any piece of information we want at a moment's notice can certainly create a strong urge to see what we're missing, there are several ways that software can help us regulate. If we're trying to limit screen time on iPhone/iPad/Android, a simple app can help us. For desktop and laptop computers, most people find that the boot time makes this less of an issue.
It Addresses Important Psychological Issues
Our minds haven't quite grown to handle the large amount of stimulation that we're providing to them. Some research has found that our dopamine pathways, the part of our brain that controls our pleasure and reward response, adapt to social media in a way that is similar to drug addiction. According to the University of Michigan, this can increase feelings of narcissism and reduce empathy. Fortunately, it's very easy to address these problems. All it takes is an hour or two away from our devices, and can find ourselves feeling better in no-time.
Improves Our Performance at Work
For most of us, technology is an essential part of the work place. We're communicating on a regular basis through emails, and our employers expect that we respond expediently. In an increasingly competitive work environment, there is always a drive to operate more efficiently. In reality, the only way we can truly perform better is if we have a little time to relax an unwind. Although it might feel bad at first, there is nothing wrong with telling a colleague that you'll be able to get back to them during business hours.
It Promotes Creation
When we access information, we're putting ourselves into consumption mode. We focus on the things that others have created, connecting them with other experiences we've had. We also need time to go out in the world and create our own experiences. When we're able to contribute to our digital culture, we feel much more pride and involvement than when we are just in consumption mode.
Making the Most of Technology
For those of us who appreciate our gadgets the most, we can often feel wasteful to try and restrict our use. However, having a little time each day to unplug makes us value our screen time that much more. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a shot! You might find that there are some positive impacts on your health.