THE EASY DAILY DIGITAL DETOX

TOP 10 WAYS TO DISCONNECT

At work and play, our reliance on tech is ever-evolving. However, we as humans — our brains and bodies — weren’t made to sit idly in front of screens, sending emails, Googling and texting all day. As with any habit, consistency and mindfulness are KEY. Follow these tips — your mind, body and spirit will thank you!!

1. Turn wifi on only when you absolutely need it. Try it and you’ll discover you’ll be more mindful about when you really need to access the internet. Bonus: No WIFI = No EMF radiation! It’s best to not get super-close to the router to keep toggling it on/off. Use a remote switch to do so, safely and at a distance. Here’s one if you need it.

2. Keep your phone and digital devices out of the bedroom– I use a simple retro -but really pretty and sleek looking (!) battery alarm clock–with an optional light so I can sleep in total darkness for optimal melatonin production. Bonus: No EMF from my smartphone, no cellphone RF radiation and no text interruptions in my dream space.

3. Keep the TV out of your bedroom too. That same blue light and distraction doesn’t just come from computers, phones and tablets — it comes from the television, too. The blue light emanating from them can induce insomnia. You can wear orange glasses if you really need to read any digital device within two hours of bedtime, but it’s best to try to avoid electronics in the bedroom altogether.

4. Drop devices from your exercise routine OR if you love to exercise to sounds, turn your device on airplane and just listen to downloads. Seriously, get in the practice downloading stuff ahead of time to safely listen (WIFI free!) whenever you’re on the move. EMF energy increases in cars, planes, trains as your phone or tablet drops, then looks for and then finds signal as it speeds from tower to tower or cell to cell. All of that boomeranging EMF energy isn’t good for you — PLUS you’ll be set up with entertaining material for you when you don’t have internet connectivity or much battery life. All good.

5. No device dinners. No device dates. These are so romantic and so fulfilling. Try it–park your phones or devices in a basket and let the conversation begin. And the distractions melt away. First one who touches the phone stack has to do the dishes or pay the dinner bill! (That’ll do the trick)

6. Pen to Paper. This is so fun. Good therapy for your brain, your focus and organization — and your handwriting skills. Keep a pad handy in your bag or pocket and instead of whipping out your phone during class, seminars, church or meetings, take notes on paper. And you’ll get better recall-experts say we remember things we write, more readily than we type. Try this with even simple things like your shopping lists. It feels good to physically cross stuff off lists — so satisfying and productive!

7. 15 minutes of mindfulness per day without a phone or computer within eye-shot or earshot. Mindfulness is just a new way to say “Be here now” So try it. Deep Breaths in, deep exhale out. Again . . .. ahhhhhhh. Hold for four second on the inhale and exhale. (it’s harder than you’d think!) You’ll be more focused and relaxed. Taking a yoga, pilates or mediation class is great for breath work — but this will work for now for the mind/body/now connection.

8. Set a Social Media schedule. If you need Tweet, or FB, snap or Insta daily, then set a time and stick to it. After lunch for 15 minutes . . . and then, here’s the hard part — that’s it. You can use also use an app like Calendly that pre-schedules your social media ahead of time and shows you what they layout would look like. Feeling even more powerful? Try getting down to a bi-weekly schedule. I can’t believe I’m down to a weekly visit to FB. I allot an hour a week to stay in touch or you can take the app off of your phone (Facebook messenger, too — which is known to breach privacy.) This gives me more time everyday to be productive…and actually enjoy this gorgeous world and the fabulous people and things in it.

9. Everyday–no matter where you are in this big universe — take 5 minutes to feel your feet on the ground. Phone off or on airplane mode! “Grounding” is a now trendy centering practice, but doing it whilst on your phone defeats the purpose. Walking on wet sand on the beach at sunset feels great, but the effects are the same with grass or plain old dirt! It’s SO EASY to forget our connection with Mother Earth when you are wearing shoes running around all day or stuck in an office. The earth’s energy resets us and absorbs negative energy. If you are feeling really deprived, schedule a camping trip or a beach day at one of these tech-free zones. No phones allowed! Just you, your loved one and the great outdoors!!

10. Once a day, share something tangible. It could be sharing your thoughts in something like the The Five Minute Journal–or even writing a note of gratitude or sending a happy message to someone on paper. Bake something and share it. A chocolate chip cookie certainly beats a text! Humans thrive on connection. Give someone a hug or a snuggle who needs it.

Here’s to being mindful, joyful and safe in our connected world.

Be Well!

August