In modern times, our minds are constantly engulfed in information and stimulation. Slowing down and allowing your life to be still can often be seen as a radical act by many.
When you first try to break the habit of checking your phone frequently, you may experience an initial period of heightened anxiety. The stress of not being contactable or of missing out could lead to feelings of guilt, but these are the first steps to allowing you to set healthy boundaries with not only yourself but with the other people around you. If you feel lonely, bored, or some other negative feeling from not having your phone or tablet, it is a very good time to learn a new skill or find something else you enjoy, like meditation or reading a book. The saying is, “It’s not about what you give up but what you take up”.
Most importantly, you should embrace this new feeling of stillness and quiet your mind. Go for a walk and take in the sights, smells and sounds you may not have noticed before.
Resetting a habit isn't easy, but it is often much easier when we replace the negative behaviour with something that better serves us. Instead of checking your phone every morning, choose to do something different; replace that activity with something that better serves you. You could:
● Take a walk or exercise
● Write in a journal about the previous day or plan the day ahead
● Make a hot drink and enjoy your peace, taking notice of all the flavours and smells
● Practice yoga and mindfulness; take note of your breathing
How can chronic stress negatively affect us?
The long-term effects of being in a state of high stress can have some severe impact on you and your body. Some of these symptoms include:
● Increased levels of anxiety and depression
● Increased blood pressure
● Difficulty sleeping
● Difficulty remembering basic things: sometimes described as brain fog
● Muscle and bone atrophy
By making the conscious choice to unplug from your screens, you could have a much better and more fulfilled quality of life. If you feel like you may need help in either reducing the amount of screen time or dealing with the effects on your confidence from watching videos on social media, then speak to a counsellor. A therapist may be able to help you better understand why addiction to your screen is negatively impacting your life and how certain things you can practice can aid you in working towards giving up the screen.
