Find out how a screen-free day can benefit your health and wellness.
There’s no denying that technology is a useful, integral part of life, but there can also be some drawbacks to relying so much on technology and having constant access to the world in your hand. In this blog, we’ve rounded up some benefits of unplugging from technology that you may notice if you occasionally set aside some tech-free time.
Benefits include:
- Boost productivity
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve sleep
- Focus on in-person relationships
If you’re looking for ways to improve your health and focus by reducing screen time, let’s jump right in!
Boost productivity
You may notice that one of the most apparent benefits of unplugging from technology is a quick boost in your productivity. Getting lost in the endless scroll of social media or news reports is more time-consuming than you may realize, so setting aside your technology for a set amount of time can really increase your productivity. When you put down the screens, it encourages you to find other activities for entertainment; maybe that’s a puzzle, a paper book, organizing a closet, making a healthy dinner using a new recipe, and so much more.
In one study, students were asked to unplug from screens and technology for 24 hours; they reported a large increase in productivity and were able to focus on things they couldn’t before. If you’re struggling with a planned task or are putting off a chore, try unplugging for a bit and see if that helps!
Reduce stress and anxiety
A good way to try and reduce stress and anxiety is by unplugging from technology for a bit. It might seem counterintuitive (wouldn’t there be stress from missing a notification?) but in actuality, you may be feeling a constant, low-level stress from watching for new notifications, scrolling through social media feeds, or watching for the latest news alerts. When you put down the screens for a set amount of time, you can recalibrate and focus on other activities that bring you joy, like crafting, painting, reading, or exercising.
Improve sleep
Another great benefit of unplugging from technology is improved sleep. You may notice that after scrolling through your phone, answering emails, or watching a movie on your TV or phone that you’re not tired. Blue light may be to blame for this. Blue light has been noted to keep people awake as it fools the brain into thinking it’s still daytime hours, and thus influences sleep patterns in a negative way.
In order to reduce this effect, it’s recommended to not use screens before bedtime, even up to an hour before you go to sleep. Consider some other bedtime activities that helps your brain to relax, like reading a book, listening to a podcast, drinking some un-caffeinated tea, or other calming activities.
Focus on in-person relationships
A final (and one of the most important) benefit of unplugging from technology is improving and focusing on in-person relationships. There are many health benefits to relationships, and putting down the screens to make time for in-person communication can help you feel more present, connected, and involved with your friends and family. While there are certainly benefits to chat, text, or social media messaging, nothing beats in-person talking and strengthening interpersonal relationships.
While screens and technology are here to stay, you may find benefits of unplugging from technology to reset and enjoy some time away from your devices. Consider making this a weekly habit, or perhaps for an hour each day before bed. If you’re looking for other resources on health and wellness, check out the CapTel blog!
