Three Reasons Why We All Need To Switch Off
I don’t know about you all but I struggle to switch off. From the moment I get out of bed to the moment I shut my eyes, I am engulfed in technology. In my full-time job, I work via a laptop and spend a lot of my day looking at a screen. As a blogger, I spend my surrounding time on my laptop or scrolling on my phone. It’s never-ending. If I want to relax I’ll watch a movie looking at another screen. If I want to plan a trip I scroll for hours online looking at flight deals, hotels and recommendations on where to go. But I do think it’s so important to switch off every so often. Step away from the technology and do something for you. Be a little selfish and focus on yourself.
Reasons why you should switch off: Take a digital detox
As I mentioned above so much of what we do (even if it isn’t part of your job) is done online. You pay bills online, watch movies online, catch up with friends online, and the list goes on. Taking a digital detox doesn’t need to be huge, it could be choosing to spend your weekend away from technology. Or even just an evening, or Sunday afternoon. By doing this you’ll soon realise that the world doesn’t stop just because you’re not on Instagram. Your friends won’t send out a search party if you don’t respond to their What’s App for a day (or at least most won’t).
I think it’s important both for us physically and mentally to do things which are away from screens and technology. For our parents and grandparents everything they did was in the moment, so imagine how different life would have been then. At the moment I’m spending some of my time decluttering and clearing out my space. I’m trying to work my way through some of my items ready to treat myself to some new bits. Like some new scents from Copycat fragrances.
Switching off allows you to spend more time doing things you don’t have time to do
What are some of the things you think you never have time to do? Maybe it’s having a bath and putting a face mask on, maybe it’s reading that book you bought last year, or maybe it’s clearing out your wardrobe. By switching off and stepping away from the hustle you can allow yourself to spend more time doing the things you usually don’t have time to do.
When I was in St Lucia I totally allowed myself to switch off. I limited my time on my phone to just checking in with friends and family in the morning. And I set an out of office e-mail which I’d rarely ever done before. But it was so nice as I got to relax. I read 5 books, I listened to some podcasts that I’d never got round to, I spent more time on my skincare routine. And my body really thanked me.
Switching off should help your sleep
By switching off and allowing your brain to properly relax you should be able to drift off to sleep easier. I know for me night time is when my mind is most awake and I’m constantly thinking of ideas. This is why I’ve started putting my phone to one side and trying to not use it for an hour before bed (although it can be tough!) This means my mind can wind down and stop thinking too much.
By switching off and being a bit selfish with your time you should be able to go to bed earlier meaning you get more sleep. Your body will thank you!
How often do you truly switch off?
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19 responses to “Three Reasons Why We All Need To Switch Off”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
Travels and Destinations
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I couldn’t agree more with this, the majority of my life is now run via my phone and I often hate that I am so dependant on it x
I hate how I feel that I can’t be without my phone x
We are going away later this week and are going technology free – I am really looking forward to it
I try to switch off on the weekend/ I’m very bad at doing it but make a concious effort to do something away from my computer.
I want to get into the habit of trying to have a digital detox at least for 3/4 hours each weekend x
I can’t agree with you more! I find I get too tired if I don’t take some time off to do the garden, head out for a walk or turn off gadgets an hour before I sleep.
I’m lucky that my job doesn’t involve being online at all. I just have to watch I don’t over compensate at the weekend.
Yeah it must be so much easier when your job isn’t internet based x
Having a break for social media is such a good idea. I also mute my WhatsApp to give me a break
I always say I am going to do this and worry that I’ll miss out on something even though I know I won’t x
We have been trying this at the weekend and I can honestly say I sleep better
I am the same as you, I am constantly on the phone/tablet/laptop and work on a computer 50 Hours + a week. I know I need to detox and look after myself but it can be pretty tricky.
I am going to a spa for a weekend at the end of the month and phones aren’t allowed, so I will get the day with no electronic interference. I can’t wait
Oh that’s really good, and a nice excuse to go to the spa as often as possible then 🙂 x
I really need to get better at switching off, my mind is always racing!
I bet! And so important now you’re a mum to have some time switched off x
I absolutely needed to read this post today Rhian! It’s so important to switch off!!
I had gotten in to a good habit of switching off and reading a little before bed. However, it has gone out of the window recently, I really must get back into the habit
I need to get back into reading more as it’s a massive help to switch off x
I think we all agree that switching off is important yet few people actually do it. I always try to limit my phone use on one specific day during the week and focus on “real” things