Disconnect From The World to Improve Your Mood
We’ve come a long way because of technology. It has made many things faster and more connected. Wherever we are in the world, we can connect with almost anyone we want to, as long as there’s an Internet signal. But sometimes, it does feel too much. Seeing what your Facebook friends are up to can sometimes stress you more than it gives happiness, and while you’re now able to work from home, it can feel like you’re always on-call.
Some of the negative effects of technology and connectivity include the following:
- Increased stress and anxiety
- Decreased productivity due to multitasking
- Fear of missing out
- Comparison game
- Lower self-esteem
- Compromised privacy
- Weakened immune system.
When connectivity is taking a toll on your mood, consider a digital detox. Log off your social media and unplug from the internet. Avoid even your TV. Take a break from work and instead focus on nature and your physical and mental self.
Here are some suggestions for disconnecting to improve your mood.
Spend Time With Nature
Being close to nature can improve your mood. Even the sight of it from your window can also lift your spirits. When you’re surrounded by plants, water, trees, and other natural elements, it triggers feelings of relaxation. The sound of running water and birds chirping and the natural smell of the forest can ease stress, normalize heart rate, and lower blood pressure.
Focus On Your Inner Self
When was the last time you engaged in meaningful self-reflection? Not the kind where you compare yourself with others and you end up feeling bad. Instead, a reflection that focuses on your inner self and assesses where you want to be and what your dreams are. Remember that you define your success, so wherever you are with your dreams right now, celebrate how far you’ve come.
Reconnect With Your Friends In Person
Ironically, we’re always online and just a chat away, but we too rarely have deep conversations with our friends. Instead of text messages and online chats, reconnect with your friends in real life. In-person meetups are excellent opportunities to catch up with real friends and enjoy one another’s company.
Get A New Hobby
Tied up with the busyness of work and life in general, you may rarely make time to do things just because you enjoy it. Baking? Crocheting? Knitting? Planting? Get a new hobby that you can do every time you take a social media detox and unplug from the online world, which should be at least once a week. It will widen your fields of interest, and you won’t feel like you’re limited to the work environment only. When you do fun activities, you’ll be in a better mood more often.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Disconnecting from technology doesn’t have to be week-long, not even a whole day at a time. You can take a break for 5 to 15 minutes every day and practice relaxation techniques. Meditate, practice deep breathing, and be in the present. It will help reduce your stress, bring your body back to its normal rhythm, and boost your mood.
Be Intentional With Your Time Online
You may be one of the many people who have transitioned to remote work but don’t feel obliged to be online all the time. You don’t have to respond to every email and work-related message in real-time even in the wee hours. Instead, be mindful of your time for work and don’t feel guilty for not responding when it’s beyond office hours. You need to set limits and be conscious about how you spend your time online to avoid stress and protect your mental health.
Get Enough Sleep At Night
Netflix bingeing, endless social media feed scrolling, and so on can keep you awake until late at night. That can ruin your sleep-wake cycle, which affects the production of hormones and therefore, your mood. Make sure that you get enough quality sleep and that you unplug at least two hours before bed.
Remember to Disconnect and Reconnect
Technology has made a lot of things convenient for us, but there are limitations. If we’re not careful, too much use of Keep in mind our tips above, de-stress, relax, and get the mood booster that you need!