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The Heavenly Benefits of a Digital Sabbath
No matter your religious leanings, taking a break from your devices can be a blessing for your health
As a kid growing up Catholic, I was all too familiar with my job before Easter: I had to choose to “give up” something for the 40 days of Lent — the season commemorating Christ’s death and resurrection.
Each year — under some duress from the nuns — I’d promise to take a break from some small creature comfort, such as my favorite candy or TV program.
I’ll admit it. Swearing off Skittles or “Scooby Doo” was hardly something I looked forward to — and in hindsight the inconveniences were trivial. But there was real power in that ritual. And as an adult, I now recognize that Lent offered the chance to reset habits that weren’t the most healthy.
Today, the ancient tradition of Lent is gaining renewed traction, thanks to a trend called the digital Sabbath. This practice involves taking a regular break from technologies such as smartphones, personal computers, and tablets.
Even the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, is getting in on the trend. This Lent, he recommended fasting from social media for one day a week, to help people return to the basics of “speaking with the heart.”
