The Psychological & Relational Benefits of Unplugging

If you have topic ideas for our podcast or want to reach Michelle, send us a text! We'd love to hear from you!ENERGY VAMPIRE #4 - LACK OF UPLUGGING & SOCIAL TIME:  Recent studies have reported that US Consumers spend approximately 4-5 hours per day on their cell phones. In fact, on average, cell phone users are checking their phones every 5-7 minutes. Often there is no real reason, just a habit. Added up over a lifetime, this calculates to approximately six years of time wasted on a device. Furthermore, if we add in television, the average in the west  is approximately seven years. The sum of these two is 13 years! The facts are staggering and unacceptable.Unless we are intentional, we will rarely get a break from the “blings and dings” of devices, day and night. We must ask ourselves what this might be doing to us and to the generations after us. Some of the science behind device addictions have shown that the notifications produce a small amount of dopamine each time they alert us due to the reaction of someone liking our posts or sending us a private message. Dopamine even has the power to turn off certain receptor sites within the Amygdala (the emotional center of the brain), reducing cortisol and stress. Though the effects are small, these things can entice us or lure us into conversations that challenge us and possibly even enrage us. At the very least, they are stealing away precious time we could be spending in more constructive ways.Obviously, we could list other distractions here but devices are one of the biggest, right now. Some of the consequences of not unplugging are as follows:  ·        Risk of burnout·        Destruction of creativity·        Inhibitors of concentration and focus·        Resentment of our jobs or other obligations·        Unhealthy device addiction·        Potential “fall out” in relationships·        Reduction in productivity·        “Blue light” effects including insomniaThe addiction to devices has been on the rise over the past two decades. In 2017, Harvard Health Publishing released results of a “blue light” study in an article called “Blue Light has a Dark Side.” The report found that when we spend too much time in front of blue lights (i.e. devices or LED lighting) or do so within 3 hours of bedtime, it disrupts our biological clock or circadian rhythm. This effect, suppresses the secretion of melatonin (the hormone responsible in assisting us to sleep). Additional studies reveal that it may be contributing to the causation of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. [1] These studies are still in the early stages but it is fair to argue that too much light exposure is having an effect on us. I am not advocating that we destroy all of our devices or even ignore them as I have plenty of my own. However, they do serve a purpose, just as our dishwasher and other appliances do. It is a matter of learning how to take back control. It is placing priority on those things that will enrich our lives rather than possess our lives. Unplugging also entails finding time for yourself. Time to be in the present, to reflect or meditate. Time to work on your goals and your dreams. Time to enjoy family and friends or just be. https://www.health.harvardSupport the showMichelle L Steffes is a Certified Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Executive Coach and Author of two books: "Reframe & Rewire" (also available on Audible) and "The Machine Inside Me." Discover more and contact her through her website, IPV Consulting.