Viva Vitality: Five reasons to take a break from screens!
By Taniel Zanidean
Disconnecting from screens can be difficult but the benefits can be endless! Here are five reasons why taking a break from screens can be so important.
Present moment awareness. Our moment-to-moment experiences are being fragmented by the near-constant presence of our cellphones – incoming texts, emails, and countless notifications. Although cell phones are a link to family, friends, school, work, and other commitments, it is important to break the habit and remove devices from the flow of our daily experiences, such as during class or work time, in transitional moments walking from one place to another, and in our downtime when we turn to our phones to fill the blank spaces in our lives. Being more aware, mindful, and immersed in the present moment can be deeply nourishing to the mind and body.
Improved sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep when using electronics prior to bed can be difficult. This is partially due to the physiological effects of the ‘blue light’ of the screen impacting the brain’s production of melatonin, delaying the onset of sleep. We’ve probably all experienced the ‘quick check’ of our phones or computers that inadvertently leads to many unplanned minutes (or hours) of use. When this happens at night, we lose sleep.
Deepened connections. Social media promises social connection, but the full richness of human relationships is best found face-to-face. Studies have shown that when a cellphone is present in the conversation, people feel less connected to the other person and feel the other person to be less empathically attuned. Having a phone present during conversation can inhibit deeper, more meaningful conversations that require trust, vulnerability, and undivided attention. A break from media allows us to nourish our relationships and we may find ourselves feeling more connected when we disconnect.
Productivity and learning. Any work that requires a focused mind will benefit from a media break. The sheer presence of a cell phone, even when ignored, reduces an individual’s intellectual acuity due to the level of mental effort it takes to resist checking a phone. The more distant the phone, the better the performance and learning outcomes. Additional benefits include increased focus, less procrastination, increased productivity and ease of learning.
Breaking the habit. Our devices are used for a wide variety of reasons ranging from work to recreational use. Despite the intentions for use, the routine of checking our texts, emails, and social media accounts can become a self-reinforcing pattern. However, implementing media fasts can break that habit. A media fast can be a temporary break or a ‘reset’ allowing for changes in the way we desire media. Following a media reset, individuals reported feeling less dependent on media and were more likely to engage in regular media fasts in the future. Whether it’s a temporary breather or an opportunity to create enduring change, there is much to be gained from a media fast!
We could all use a little less media time. Why not start today? For a list of Unplugged Activities, check out the resources on the Digital Wellness Coalition’s website – https://digitalwellnesscoalition.weebly.com/. The Digital Wellness Coalition also provides information and resources on digital wellness and how to stay safe online.
Taniel Zanidean is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services, Addiction and Mental Health.