Disconnect to Reconnect

There are days when I thank my lucky stars for technology and all it allows us to do. There are other days, though, when I feel the need to be unreachable.

 

The solution for me is to disconnect to reconnect. At first blush, it might sound a bit odd or contradictory to suggest disconnecting in order to reconnect.

Here’s how it works for me:

Unplug – whether for fifteen minutes, an hour, a day, or a week. No phone, no email, no social media, no traditional media.

Read a book. Dive into a children’s book or a novel.

Move. Go for a walk, a run, a bike ride, take a yoga class.

Be still. Mediate, take a nap, sit in a sun spot (indoors or outdoors), do nothing.

Cook. Cook. Cook. And then eat an amazing meal or two.

After taking a break, even for a brief amount of time, I am recharged and ready to reconnect with the people in my world. Give it a try, and let me know how it works for you when you disconnect to reconnect.

Healthy living starts now.

Disconnect to Reconnect was last modified: February 11th, 2022 by Deb Nelson

Unplug: Leave Your Phone at Home

Do this today – yes, even though your day is already planned. For ONE HOUR, take a technology break: Leave. Your. Phone. At. Home.

Maybe you’ll break out into a cold sweat at the mere thought of being unplugged for an hour. Maybe you’ll feel a deep sense of relief at the thought of having some alone time.

  • What could you do with that hour? Here are a few options:
  • Grab a book that’s been on your reading list.
  • Attend a yoga class.
  • Run your favorite route.
  • Go for a walk – with or without man’s best friend – at the beach, in a park, through your town.
  • Take a hike.
  • Hop on your bike.
  • See what it feels like to sit in your backyard.
  • Meet a friend and catch up – face to face!
  • If you’ve got kids, surprise them with a picnic supper.
  • Go fly a kite.
  • Enjoy a device-free dinner with your family.
  • Do some meal prep for the week.
  • Volunteer at a nonprofit.
  • Check out the sunset – actually enjoy the experience rather than trying to take the perfect photo.
  • Get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
  • Start a routine of unplugging one hour before you go to bed.
  • You get it: Do anything that makes your heart sing and brings a smile to your face.

Take note of how unplugging makes you feel. Anxious? Relaxed? Relieved? All of the above?

Once you’ve mastered a one-hour break from technology, work up to two hours. How about setting a goal of going tech free for an entire day? Stop sweating. It will be okay.

As always, let me know how this change fits into your helath goals.

Unplug: Leave Your Phone at Home was last modified: February 10th, 2022 by Deb Nelson