By Philip Yiga | September 3, 2018

Today, the internet has taken over every task starting from organizing work, social relationships to commitments. In fact, sometimes it feels like the internet is taking a toll on your whole life which is not actually good for your mental and physical health. So, in-case you want to disconnect yourself from smart devices and social media, then below are some of the tools and strategies you can use in-order to get involved with the real world again.

 

DESIGN YOUR HOME ENVIRONMENT:

1. Place your computers into a dedicated room: You should consider moving all your computer-devices into a dedicated office or computer room because your bedroom and other rooms should be devoid of all electronics. This will actually help you set time for using computers and time doing other activities while at home.

 

2. Keep your charger in a computer-room: moving all chargers into a computer-room implies that you need to move the devices into this room in-case they need to be charged and then leave them there. In fact, the sounds and vibrations from a charging device can interrupt a calm experience and that’s why you need to move all your devices into a dedicated room.

 

3. Don’t take electronics into your bedroom: try to make your bedroom off-limit to electronics like phones, tablets or TV. This is because device-screens emit Blue light which tend to affect your eyes and even interrupt sleeping habits. In fact, most people are experiencing poor sleeping habits because of their constant engagement with gadgets in the bedroom.

 

4. Turn-off the alarm on weekends: Waking up on your own on different days of the week will help you feel more satisfied. Additionally, if you don’t usually get enough sleep then consider filling 1-hour of time you would normally spend on the Internet. In fact, research shows that people who get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day have less stress and are healthier. All in all, try to get enough sleep because lack of sleep can reduce the functioning of your immune-system and increases anxiety.

 

5. Use an online timer that alerts you after 30 to 60 minutes of Internet use: You will need to download an online timer in-order to prevent yourself from overusing the internet and smart-devices. In fact, time passes so quickly when you are using the internet and this is why it’s very crucial to get this timer. Lastly, your eyes will also need a break every after 15-minutes of device-use and it’s only a timer that can help you achieve this.

 

PLAN FOR NON-DIGITAL ACTIVITIES:

1. Take a bath in your free time: Taking a bath during your free time can actually help you achieve optimum relaxation. Additionally, consider pouring taking coffee or glass of wine while reading in the bath-tub and you can also light a candle in-order to relax and enjoy a homemade hot tub.

 

2. Try going on a hike: Getting out into nature during your free-time has actually been proven to improve on problem-solving skills and calm the brain. So, consider packing your smart phone deep into your backpack for only safety-purposes and try not to touch it during the hiking process.

 

3. Join a sports league: You should consider joining a sports league, scrabble club or any other group activity so that you can work-out your body during your free time. In fact, sports activities will even help you reduce on the time spend on electronics and internet.

 

4. Invite friends over with a phone call: When inviting your friends over, use a phone call not social-platforms or messages. If you friends come over, have an outdoor barbecue with them and talk about during experiences in life as time moves.

 

5. Make a “fortress of solitude”: This involves choosing at least 1-day in a week to disconnect from gadgets and people. In fact, consider telling family and friends that you will not have your phone on this day and try making a nice meal, read a book or do some crafting on this day.

 

6. Create an off-the-grid group: starting an off-the-grid group meeting for at least an hour every week without using any cell phones or computers will help make it much easier to get disconnected from computer-devices and the internet.

 

7. Make an inventory of your hobbies: In-case you can’t name more than 2-hobbies that you can enjoy outside or inside the house, then gadgets and internet may have replaced your healthy outlets for creativity and stress relief. So, consider looking for your favorite hobbies again but you may also try taking activity classes’ in-order to improve on your personal life.

 

8. Go for a vacation: Planning for a vacation for at least 2-weeks in year will help to relieve your body from stress. Additionally, avoid using electronics during your vacation and you can even go with family or friends in-order to give yourselves company during the trip.