The Art of Digital Sabbath: Finding Peace in a Hyperconnected World
How often do you spend the whole day off your phone?
No screens, no notifications and no phantom phone vibrations.
The average adult’s screen time is 6 hours and 58 minutes. But how much time do we spend just being in the moment?
Technology is like the little angel and devil sitting on our shoulders, at times a helpful enabling tool and at other times distracting us from our priorities of how we wish to use our time.
So how can we achieve more balance in this technology-dense world?
Introducing the digital Sabbath:
The concept of the digital Sabbath was introduced to me by Opal, an app blocker which I have integrated into my self-care routine as a tool to regulate my relationship with technology. Perhaps something we should all consider doing.
The digital Sabbath is a way to intentionally disconnect from screens and social media to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace.
Why Digital Sabbath Matters:
Excessive screen time is associated with mental health problems. Leading to increased stress, anxiety and feelings of loneliness and inadequacy.
There are also benefits of disengagement, from having more free time, and experiencing less ‘fomo’ (fear of missing out) and time comparing our lives to one another. To improving connections with people who are in your life and connecting more with yourself.
Mindfulness in the Digital Age:
Mindfulness practices can help counteract the negative effects of digital overload and promote a greater presence in the here and now.
It’s been proven that the practice of mindfulness changes our brain and biology in positive ways, improving mental and physical health.
Simple mindfulness exercises can help feel more calm, reduce stress and feel more present. This can range from doing activities with your hands such as cooking, being creative and reading.
Mindfulness can also just be doing a gentle breathing exercise to focus on the body and the mind in being present with the moment.
How to start your own digital Sabbath:
Introducing a digital Sabbath may seem daunting or overwhelming initially, however, by slowly introducing techniques to reduce screen time, you may find you are gaining more conscious moments of your life.
Having a bedtime routine, where you stop scrolling on your phone an hour before bed can be very helpful and improve sleep quality. Additionally, using app blockers like Opal to avoid using certain apps at specific times of day is also a useful tool I use regularly.
Conclusion:
The digital Sabbath offers respite from constant screen exposure, fostering mindfulness and peace. Disconnecting could be used as a tool to combat stress, anxiety, and comparison culture.
Join me in prioritising well-being through mindfulness and technology breaks. Stay tuned for more blog posts detailing strategies for achieving balance in our digital lives.
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