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Unplug To De-Stress.

In case you missed it, in 2017 the American Psychological Association (APA) announced that constantly checking your smartphone is linked to stress.

Sure, we get entertainment, information, and connection from our high-tech devices, but we also get unnecessary stress. And by “we” we mean almost everyone. More recently, a 2019 APA study revealed that 74% of Americans own internet-connected cell phones, 55% own a tablet, and almost 90% own a computer.

So, how do you reduce that stress? By reducing connection to your devices. Impossible, you say? Not if you have a plan. Embrace these rules offered by PsychCentral.com and you just might find yourself less connected and more relaxed:

  • Don’t check your phone when out with friends, walking, or commuting. You can’t fully enjoy any moment if your mind is partially focused on a little glowing screen. Put the phone aside and focus on what’s right in front of you and you’ll be happier.
  • Don’t use Google for information or showing photos. Google is great but it also can be a conversation killer. Use your own words to make your point, describe a scene or moment, or simply to talk. You’ll enjoy conversations more.
  • Turn on silent mode. If you eliminate random rings, pings, and vibrations, you’ll stay more focused on the person or place in front of you and less focused on things that don’t matter at that moment.
  • Keep your phone out of sight. If your phone is within sight, so is the opportunity for stress, distraction, and interruption.
  • Increase disconnect time. Think you can’t disconnect? Try it on a small scale first, then slowly increase the time. Blogger Sylvia Huang said she started by checking her phone only once every 30 minutes, then she gradually increased the time. Now she’s checking it only once every 90 to 120 minutes. Her goal? Once every three or four hours.
  • Schedule your social media time and limit it. Social media is, for many, the great black hole for time. It pulls us in, takes us down unexpected trails, and hold us much longer than expected. To stay in control, set social media time limits. Not only will you recover lost time, but you’ll also reduce your stress levels.

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