Why would should take a day off tech

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Why would should take a day off tech
Why would should take a day off tech
10-27-2020 02:00 pm
Do you even feel like tech is ruining your life? Yeah me niether. But that doesn't mean that it's not having an affect on your life. 

The folks at CNET talk to Tiffany Shlain, author of "24/6: The power of Unplugging One Day a Week". Shlain and her family decided to unplug their screens on one day during the week before the pandemic. They've been doing it for 11 years now, and she finds it really refreshing. She expalins how beneficial unplugging is for folks, especially those working from home. 

Now that we have to be on screen more (working from home, school from home, etc.) 

It's not an easy task. As a society, we're addicted to our devices (tv, phones, social media, etc.) And if you're anything like me, you have a bad case of FOMO - fear of missing out. This makes us more inclined to check social media. 

While you might be itching to check your Facebook feed, find things to occupy your time with instead one day a week. Shlain says she find articles online during the week that she prints out and reads in more depth during her tech break on Saturdays. 

It's no coincidence that we have our best ideas while exercising, washing the dishes, doing laundry, or taking a shower. When we are doing busy work and give our minds time to think about other things, creativity thrives. Even though your focusing on one thing, our brains become overloaded with information that must be absorbed, not giving us the chance to think clearly. 

Devices aren't the devil though, they're a necessary evil. "Having access to everything and being available 24/7 used to be the ideal," says Shlain. While being able to work from everywhere might be appealing, unplugging for one day during the weekend can make you more productive during the days when you are working. 

In addition to taking time off during the week, Shlain explains how important it is to take a pause throughout the working day as well. "Telling your coworkers that you're taking a day off so you can be more available and useful to them is important these days," says Shlain. "In a time where we are getting burnt out...the mental health issue has a big impact."

Unplugging also decreases anxiety, depression, and allows you to get better sleep. 

Work/life balance is important. We're now living at work so when your bedroom or couch becomes your office, it can be that much harder to unplug. So here's a challenge for this week: Take some time this weekend to read a book, paint, cook something different and leave your screen off for a whole day. Take a vacation day next week just as a mental health day to avoid burn outs. 

To see the entire interview with Tiffany, click here: https://www.cnet.com/videos/why-you-should-take-a-day-off-from-tech/

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