First of all you clicked on this post, which means you want to unplug or get some ideas on how to?!
Before we get into it, think about what unplugging means to you. What does the perfect scenario, location or activity that allows you to unplug, look like for you.
Take a moment right now, to envision it. Yes, right now literally, close your eyes for a moment and think about the following:
what does UNPLUGGING mean to you
what does it look like
and how do you want to feel after
No need to make the above complicated, just a little way to get you thinking about how YOU ultimately want to feel.
Take action by writing it down…
If you have a pen and paper to help you achieve the feeling you thought about above, write it down.
“I want to feel [ insert result here ]”
Is it more relaxed, focused, less stressed, sleep better or maybe all of the above!?
When we write things down, it helps not only make it more real, as its not just our thoughts, it is now on PAPER. We can look back after a few days/weeks etc. and sort of check in, hey did I do this for myself?
Unplugging is a way of getting away from it all. A way to turn off our mind and let our mind relax. To me unplugging also means literally disconnecting from technological devices, as the word unplug implies and can be derived from plugging in and unplugging a device.
Think of the device as you in this case. We all have a sort of battery, but like a battery we do not have an endless charge or endless energy. It becomes important to recharge our energy. To recharge, I believe we need to unplug ourselves from our day to day responsibilities. Not think about anything. Just be.
To be able to even have 15 mins of space to just be, and not have to do or react to the over stimulus we all face day to day. Our worlds are busy, full of information overload, obligations and things to do and things we must get done.
We’ve all heard if we sleep more, allow ourselves rest we will feel better. Yes this can be true most of the time, but I’m a believer in also finding little moments throughout your day or routines to allow ourselves to unplug, even if its just for 5 or 10 mins.
A few ways you can unplug, right now!
Take a Device/Technology Break!
Put your phone down or turn airplane mode and do not disturb on! I tend to use my devices to read on so I turn both things ON to avoid any calls or other notifications (emails, texts, social media alerts etc.) coming through. Turning off our phone or other devices when we want to unplug is so important as it offers us:
Less distractions
More peace
More focus
More time and presence
Less reactivity and just being.
Exercise, MOVE YOUR BODY
Get moving somehow without a device if possible. Do some jumping hacks, squats, YOGA, or start dancing to your favourite song. MOVE your body somehow. Moving our bodies helps us get out of our heads, in the sense of us obsessing or worrying about stuff, or thinking too much about whatever.
Get into your body to get out of your head!
Grab a book book and read!
Taking breaks from screens will help with limits distractions, help with your eyes resting and help your mind ease
Real books with paper help ease the eyes, compared to screen time from our devices
Real book allow us to limit those distractions that come with our phones and notifications
Meditate or practice breathing techniques
Learn the art of noticing and observing how we feel in a given moment
Mindful breathing can bring us right into the present moment
Meditations by me so you can chill and relax
Go outside into nature
Visit your nearest park or garden in your neighbourhood OR Go for a walk and spend time at a local park find some flowers and literally stop and smell them. Go out explore, preferably off a device/phone
Journal
Write down your top three things, people, moment or event that you are grateful for today
Find journaling prompts to help guide you if writing is hard
Go to sleep or take a nap if it’s during the day
Keep your devices away from the bedroom, charge them outside so that you’re not tempted to grab it and go on it close to bed time.
Turn on do not disturb, so you can rest with ease and know that nothing will wake or disturb you
What ever you try above, try to do one thing at a time. Stay present and focused on the one thing you’ve chosen as your unplugging time.
This list isn’t an exhaustive list, but I hope the above offers you some ideas on how you can unplug to help yourself recharge your battery.
Let me know if you think of anything to add to this list.
Be well.
Marzena
Other Articles on the Topic of “Unplugging”
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/6-simple-ways-to-unplug-at-home/
https://www.lifehack.org/452813/5-simple-ways-to-unplug-and-be-more-mindful-in-your-life
https://www.yesandyes.org/2014/03/ways-unplug.html