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It is unbelievable how connected to technology we have become. I hear people say all the time that how they ‘need’ their cell phones and computers. We say things like, “I can’t live without my phone.” Technology has become sort of a drug in our society. Now I know that we’ve grown into a time where we really do need technology. Most businesses can’t function without computers, and we need to be able to connect to each other by phones because that’s what we’ve become accustomed to. I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with technology or our dependence on it. In fact I think it’s amazing how humans have come such a long way.? But I also think that we rely on it a little bit too much, when we could be focusing our attention to more important things and connect with people and the world a little more. So why disconnect from technology even if it’s just for just a little while?

I came across an interesting article the other day, and in this article a man decided to disconnect from all online activity for four months straight. For most of us that might seem a little unreasonable and probably not possible because of our jobs, but it was interesting to note what he had learned during his time off from technology. He says,

Lately I’ve been keenly aware of the amount of advertising that insists connective technology is essential to our happiness (Faster speeds! Fewer dropped calls!). Four months ago, I barely noticed it; now it is an affront, a lie so obvious that it’s insulting. Adding to my anger is the fact that until the Web came around, I’d successfully avoided the addiction gauntlet. I’d steered clear of any trouble with gambling, booze, and drugs. To be blindsided by the Internet (my helpful and wonderful friend!) doesn’t seem fair. But complaining is useless, isn’t it?

Advertisers on the TV and on the internet have driven the dependency of technology into our heads so much so that we don’t even notice it.? We have attached our feelings to technology so much so that if we went without a computer or cell phone, it wouldn’t be normal and so we wouldn’t be completely happy.

I think that we can still live in a technologically developed world while at the same time detaching our feelings from it. The internet and technology seem to be completely unavoidable, and that’s ok. But what if we took just a little bit of? time and focused on other things?

Why disconnect?

While it may not be feasible or possible to completely disconnect from technology, I think we should all work on giving it up for short periods of time in order to connect with ourselves and the people around us.

Tame your mind

Our minds are constantly racing at a thousand miles per hour all hours of the day and night. It seems like the only time our minds calm down is when we fall asleep, but even then we’re constantly dreaming about our daily lives. Sure, we’re busy with our jobs or if you have children you are especially busy, but we have so many things to do at one time that we don’t know where to start or what to do with ourselves. Some feel that they have to check their work email to “stay on top of things” even while on vacation.

I recently read a great post that explains how disconnecting helps us to process our lives so that we can connect to ourselves better.

Value real human contact

Sure it’s nice to video call your friend who’s out of state, or instant message your family member who’s in another room in the same house, but what happened to wanting to talk with people face-to-face? People break up with each over the phone, over text messaging, or over Facebook messaging. It’s the easy way out, but I also think it’s more respectful to do these things face to face. I don’t think very many people would propose to a girlfriend or boyfriend out of respect and love, so why should it be any different to say difficult things in person for the same reason?

When you talk with someone in person, you are incorporating the whole human element. You get to see this person, hear their real, live voice, hug that person when you greet them or say goodbye, and just be comforted by their presence. Technology takes some of this away. So if you’re used to talking to your best friend on the phone, take a little extra time to meet up and hang out.

You’ll sleep better

Sometimes I’ll stick to my phone or laptop until the very second my head hits the pillow. The lights are on and the computer screen is bright, then all of a sudden I turn everything off, hit the pillow, and expect to fall asleep right away. But usually what happens is my mind is racing and the lights still seem to be on in my head so it takes me a long time to fall asleep. I think technology is the reason for most people’s sleep problems.

Half an hour before I go to sleep, I try to “ween” myself off of technology for a half hour to an hour before I go to bed. It doesn’t always happen (disconnecting from technology), but I like to work on it every once in a while so I can get a good night’s rest. Try doing something else a half hour before bed, like reading a book in dim light, taking a bath, or even just relaxing with the lights down without watching TV. This way your mind and body gets used to the dark and they will have time to calm down. After doing this for a while, you will find that sleeping comes much easier.

Insert ‘time off from technology’ into your daily or weekly schedule

Even if it’s just an hour a day, or even an hour a week. Put into your schedule that you will not be on the computer, the phone, or the TV. Spend this hour doing something else like taking a walk, having face-to-face conversation with a friend, or read a physical book. You will be surprised at how much this will clear your mind and slow it down. You might even find that your stress decreases during this time and might want to do it more often!

By giving yourself an extra hour to yourself rather than to your computer, you are connecting to yourself and becoming more aware of the world around you. I find that this gives me a new appreciation and outlook on things. I’m able to enjoy the things that we were meant to enjoy, like breathing fresh air and just looking at the nature around us.

Consider trading an hour of technology for an hour of yoga. This way you are maximizing the effect of connecting to yourself and becoming conscious of what your body and mind.

Be aware of when you’re connected to technology and ask if it’s necessary

I am growing up in the world of booming and advancing technology. I’m not going to lie, I like my cell phone and computer and the ability to be connected to people I’ve known throughout my life.? But I like to ask myself if it’s really completely necessary to be doing something with technology at a particular time. For example, if you’re at the dinner table, is it really necessary to answer a text that just came in during dinner? One of the things that I’ve really been focusing on is trying to wait to answer texts while I’m alone or not talking with people. I especially don’t text during dinner because I feel that being disconnected gives me the opportunity to really enjoy my food and the company that surrounds me.

I spend a lot of time on the computer at work and at home. Most of my engineering work involves the computer, and as soon as I get home, I spend a lot of time on this blog. But I like to give up a few hours during the week or on the weekend to spend time with people, or even just rest. It helps to slow down my mind and give me the opportunity to think about other things.

Ask yourself; is it necessary to get up and answer your phone during dinner, text during a movie, or check your email every ten minutes?

Keep your computer at home while on vacation

There’s nothing more disheartening than hearing about someone who takes their computer on vacation to check their work emails so they don’t get too far behind. Vacation is supposed to be a time to disconnect from our busy lives and just have a good time and reconnect with ourselves. If you’re a workaholic, consider leaving every bit of work at work. No work computer, or even personal computer. Just keep it at home if you’re going out of town for vacation. Your work will be there when you return. Instead take the time to reconnect with the people you’re with and explore where you are. You only get to go to these places once in a while, but you see work stuff every day.

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The point of disconnecting from technology is to be able to reconnect with yourself and the things that we are supposed to be connected with. I hope you consider devoting a little more time to reconnecting with yourself and doing things the ‘old-fashioned’ way even if it’s for a short time. You’ll find that you don’t need to be connected to be truly happy. If anything, it will be another great learning experience, and who knows, it just might open up some new and unexpected opportunities!

Do you think it’s important to disconnect from technology?