Last September myself and my partner moved into our new home and by the time we had dealt with the stress of unpacking everything and doing some basic refurbishments, two months had passed already and it suddenly occurred to me that we still hadn’t connected the TV.
I started having second thoughts about plugging it in at all. The more I thought about it the more the idea of not having a TV at home started growing on me. It had been our routine to watch whatever was on every night after dinner.
Since the move, very naturally a new routine had kicked in. We definitely weren’t at a loss of what to do. We started cooking together, completed tasks around the house that had been on the list for too long and had great conversations over a glass of wine.
The decision was made: TV is out of our lives for good. It is one of the best things I’ve ever done and I would highly recommend it to all of you.
Things have changed physically and mentally for me, most notably I’m feeling less stressed. Some programs I used to watch had elements of suspense, drama and violence, which of course includes the News too. Had this stuff been rubbing off on me? Did it increase my underlying levels of constant stress? Yes TV can be a virtual escape, but it is a passive engage
ment that never quite satisfies you, plus you can get stuck in a loop of wanting more of the same emptiness.
I still use my smart phone and lap-top as in this modern world this is a necessity and a part of our daily life. But you can always find a way to slow down with the digital gadgets. For example – make a simple rule for checking your e-mails at a certain time of the day, which does not include in the morning before you go to work or in the evening after work.
Do not use your phone in bed, because it messes up your sleep cycle.
Blue light is part of the full spectrum and we are exposed to it during sunlight every day. Night time exposure to that light which is emitted by laptops, tablets and smartphones can damage your vision, stimulate you to feel awake and suppress the production of melatonin. When your melatonin levels are disturbed and lowered there is a risk of depression and other conditions, even cancer.
These ceaseless disruptions caused by digital devices is not good for our brains in much of the same way that excessive sugar or fat and other things we tend to crave are not good for our bodies.
Other things to look out for are:
- If you frown when concentrating you may end up with premature frown lines.
- Sitting in one position too long can increase risk of jowls
- If you look down a lot, neck muscles can shorten and sag and you get the so called “turkey neck”.
Younger men and women are ageing more quickly because of the heavy use of information technology.
Recent research suggests that prolonged exposure to a computer screen can lead to discoloration, blotches, rashes, and skin allergies. People with pre-existing skin problems, like rosacea and sun sensitivity, could be even more at risk.
According to some scientists, monitors create an electrostatic field that attracts floating dust that can then settle on the skin and cause dryness, irritation, and allergic reactions, mainly in poorly ventilated areas. Excessive screen exposure in some sensitive individuals can lead to “screen dermatitis,”
Eliminating everything digital in your life for a short period of time is a great opportunity to reduce stress, to focus more on true social interaction and to connect with nature in the physical world.
The benefits of unplugging include an increased opportunity for mindfulness. Also many things can be lowered such as anxiety, high blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension.
Your general mood can be improved due to a more calm and balanced feeling, increased productivity at work/home and better posture.
Plus of course spending more time with your loved ones, in real time, face to face, dramatically improves your relationships with them for better – (tried and tested myself)
