Happy Digital Wellness Day! Let’s take a step back from tech together.
We know that the answer to solving our tech addiction is not to eliminate technology forever. However, what if we just took a simple step back from using our screens for one hour a day. Do you think you would come back to technology feeling more refreshed and focused? Maybe you will feel more peace and calm?
I know that I would. A-GAP is a non-profit that focuses on hosting technology free reprieves where we take away the phones, along with the noise and distractions associated with them. With the phones gone it allows space for clarity, unity and simplicity. We know because we have done over 20 experiences with hundreds of different people who have all agreed with a resounding response.
That being said, at this point and time we cannot meet together for technology free retreats or anything for that matter due to physical distancing. Without any physical events our attention has gravitated towards the online realm, because it is here we feel like we can connect and maintain our relationships with friends and family that we cannot see in person.
On top of that Americans’ consumption of news is skyrocketing. According to market analysis by television measurement agency Alphonso, cable news networks are seeing viewership numbers up some 50% since the beginning of 2020. And studies suggest that simply watching news coverage of a traumatic event can trigger acute stress symptoms.
You knew it was coming, but with all of us participating in physical distancing and isolation, many of us are compelled to constantly check our social media feeds and news sources which can significantly raise stress, anxiety, and depression levels. We are not saying that you should not spend anytime on social media catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
However, what if we stopped for an hour a day together and silenced the noise from all our devices and went screen free, off-grid or offline. Whatever you want to call it the goal is the same, to create space to reflect, journal, read, walk, meditate, cook, bake, workout, or simply sit and be still for a moment.
“With the current pandemic disrupting all facets of life, from our livelihoods to our physical and mental health, it’s more important than ever to take time to reflect and recharge,” says Natalie Sexton, President of A-GAP. “Taking just one hour a day to focus on positive affirmations, and purposely staying away from sources of distracting noise, can do wonders for self-growth and harmony.”
A-GAP urges Americans to go offline for one hour a day to offset the tech increase that physical distancing has caused. The question is will you join us?
Here are five simple reasons we think it would benefit you:
1. You will have more time to journal and reflect. When we overconsume information, without taking the time to mindfully process, it can be detrimental to our overall health and wellbeing.
During this season many of us are experiencing unprecedented hurdles and emotions that come with them because we have never had to face life with these struggles before. Naturally we do not know how and start to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. As I have already shared intentionally powering down once a day will allow you to rediscover, restore, and reinvigorate during this extremely trying time.
2. You will understand the importance of scheduling a daily period of designated “down time”, away from stressful triggers, negative news stories, and an overdependence on electronic devices. This will help your mental wellbeing not only during quarantine but long after physical distancing has pasted.
At a time when many Americans are glued to cable news, working from home on computers, and communicating solely by mobile phone, I challenge you to join un in this initiative on unplugging for an hour a day. Taking advantage of this time to start implementing this healthy habit will equip you to continue doing an hour offline everyday long after quarantine has passed.
3. You will have the space to assess what is really important to you and ask yourself if your tech use on a regular basis is aligning with your values. Most of us say we know our values, but if we were to pick out our top three values and match them to the values of the top three apps that we use would the values align?
Taking this time away can help us refocus and reset on what we want to do or do not want to do rather than mindlessly succumbing to whatever ads or posts are thrown our way. In stepping back from tech for an hour, we are choosing what we want to think about rather than letting it be chosen for us.
One of the most cherished activities at A-GAP was with author Christina Crook from JOMO Experience, where she gave all A-GAP participants value cards and they had to slowly cut the deck in half every time until they ended up with their top three values. Once everyone had their top three values we discussed if our current tech use was aligning with these values.
You can view a pictures of A-GAP participants doing this exercise on our Instagram page @agaplife.
4. You will have more mental capacity for creativity. There’s a great quote that talks about how boredom by Kathy Koch who wrote the book Screens and Teens. “Boredom cultivates reflection, generates ideas, develops curiosity, increases creativity, and inspires vision.”
Allow yourself to be bored during this hour, we do not allow oursleves to be bored often enough. As adults we think boredom is beneath us, that we have too many important things to be done to be bored. However, I know it would do wonders for our mental wellbeing to embrace boredom as a welcome time to enjoy where we are at in life while reflecting on our past and present.
Even with children we avoid boredom for them like it is a negative thing when in reality most of the kids who grew up having to entertain themselves became some of the most creative people in our culture today. When we not only allow but create space for boredom for our kids it encourages them to engage in creativity on a whole new level. It also teaches them that they do not always need to be entertained by screens but can come up with fun games to play on their own apart from screens.
All of that being said I hope you not only feel inspired but equipped to go offline for an hour a day, not only during quarantine but long after it is over. Once you do, you will start to realize the positive impact that it can have on your life.
We would love for you to share with A-GAP your one-hour on going offline. A-GAP has a template you can use for inspiration of what to do while you go off-grid. In order to help inspire others to join you we encourage you to use the #CreateAGAP and tag @agaplife on Instagram where we can enjoy seeing the creative and productive ways you are spending your tech-free hour after your hour offline is up.
For those interested in learning more about ‘creating A-GAP’ between themselves and technology, visit http://agap.life
About A-GAP
A-GAP provides experiences for those seeking a technology free environment for contemplation and spiritual rejuvenation. A-GAP experiences allow tech-weary participants to explore creation, engage in community, enhance creativity, and execute change. Journey to clarity, unity, and simplicity.
