That device you carry around in your pocket or your purse is powerful. It has the power to do a lot, including keeping us occupied, making it a challenge to unplug.
But when you’re able to unplug, even for just a little while, you and those around you can benefit. What happens when you unplug? Here are three benefits of unplugging:
1. You have a chance to create more than you consume.
As you scroll through social media feeds, like Facebook or Instagram, you consume a lot of content and ideas from other people on your phone. But what about your own ideas? When’s the last time you took some time to create something of your own? If it’s been a while, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Cook or bake a new recipe
- Journal or write a poem
- Play an instrument
- Garden
- Mail someone a card
- Knit, sew, craft, etc.
When you take a break from your phone, you give your brain some space to think and create. You might even wind up doing something that you used to really enjoy!
2. You make more eye contact and connect with other humans.
As the amount of time we spend on our phone increases, eye contact with others decreases. Making eye contact with another person can have a positive impact even for a few short seconds. The next you find yourself waiting in line at a grocery store or coffee shop, put your phone in your pocket. Take notice of your surroundings and the people. Smile and make eye contact, maybe even say hello.
3. You sleep better.
At bedtime, it’s too tempting to crawl under the covers and start scrolling through your phone. Unfortunately, the blue light that’s coming from your phone can have a negative effect on your sleep. All that screen time before bed disrupts your body’s natural sleep patterns.
The solution? Turn off your phone before you crawl into bed. If you can, leave it in a different room, even better! If you use your phone as an alarm, be disciplined about leaving it on your nightstand. Disable your WiFi connection or use airplane mode, so you’re less tempted to use it.
Unplugging from your phone has a positive impact on your physical, emotional, and social health. To learn more about how the coaches at Pinnacle Performance and Fitness can help you create a healthy lifestyle, contact us today.