Hey You! Put Your Phone Down. Look Around…Nature Wants To Talk To You
By Jennifer Acker
How Can A Break From Digital Devices Enhance Your Mental Wellbeing?
If you’re excited about taking part in the National Day of Unplugging from March 5 to 6 (sunrise to sundown) 2021, then you may be fascinated to know how much your mental health and wellbeing can benefit from this simple act. A recent Forbes article revealed that the average adult spends as many as 12 hours per day in front of a screen - a fact which affects our level of activity, the extent to which we socialize with others in person, and the amount of time we spend in nature. To benefit from the extent to which unplugging from all screens for just one day can make you happier, check out a few ideas of what to do on this special day, and find out how each of these screen-free activities can benefit you.
Battling Nature-Deficit Disorder
Americans spend so little time outdoors that they are affected by what best-selling author, Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) has termed ‘nature-deficit disorder’. This is characterized by a reduced ability to focus, live in the moment, and appreciate the great beauty of nature. Recent scientific studies have shown that the great outdoors boosts mental health in so many ways. One recent study by Cornell University researchers, for instance, showed that spending as little as 10 minutes in a green or nature-filled setting reduced the effects of physical and mental stress. Another study by University of Essex researchers found that nature reduces depression and boosts self-esteem. Think of time spent away from your gadgets and in an outdoor setting as a quick way to recalibrate your brain and encourage you to take part in more physical activity - which in itself is an excellent stress buster.
Time To Be
A plethora of studies have shown that holistic activities such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, and Tai Chi have a powerful ability to improve mood and vitality, increase happiness, and battle depression, anxiety and stress. Despite this fact (and despite the wide array of apps like Calm and Headspace, which guide users through how to perform holistic exercises), being in front of a screen can be a big temptation - so much so that many people are tempted to watch their favorite YouTube creator, create playlists, or consume online content in their free time. Battling stress involves proactive, daily steps such as taking a few minutes of each morning to meditate or perform a few yoga postures. On the day you unplug all devices, make sure you do take part in an activity that is known to reduce stress and induce a happier state.
A Sense Of Connection
Meeting friends and family in person is something that can be hard to do when you are working or chatting online, yet in many ways, doing so builds vital memories and connections, enhancing one’s sense of support and belonging. Researchers from the University of North Carolina found that having strong social networks is as important as exercise and diet when it comes to measures of wellbeing such as abdominal obesity, inflammation, and high blood pressure. The more social ties people have from an early age, they found, the better their health is at the beginning and end of their lives.
The best thing about unplugging is that it prompts people to find new ways to fill in free time. On the day you do disconnect from it all, ensure you make important social connections with the people you love. Also, take the time to enjoy sports or exercise outside, and work on your mind as well as your body through healing practices such as yoga and meditation.
