“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you” – Anne Lamott.
With so many pressures of life which include finances, school, relationships, health, there is a need to ensure that you are of sound mind to increase your productivity. One of the ways to achieve this, is by unplugging.
Here are the 5 ways to unplug:
1. Turning off social media
Researchers discovered that one in 3 people felt more dissatisfied with their lives after visiting social media sites.
When we see posts from our friends, family or even random people that we know nothing about, on Facebook, Instagram etc.., we fail to understand that so many things happening on social media are ’half-truths.’ We then end up focusing mostly on others and much less on ourselves.
Focusing on yourself will make you have a better view of reality, its changes your perception of what’s real and what’s important will change. Just putting your phone down or shutting off the computer gives you so much time for other things hence increasing your productivity.
2. Spend Time with Friends and Family
When was the last time you called your mother or sat down with your sister for a genuine conversation? We have been so caught up with doing everything else but this. We need our family and friends as pillars of support, especially in difficult times. This does not mean we should seek to make many friends but investing in a few important relationships.
Different people bring out different aspects of our personalities and fulfill different roles in our lives. This way of unplugging ensures that we feel a sense of belonging to a larger social group hence feeling more connected and fulfilled.
3. Exercise
Being up longer leads to less sleep and more daytime fatigue and the repetition isn’t always a good thing . It decreases your productivity. So one of the ways of ensuring you remain active is by exercising.
Exercise increases energy levels. It could be as easy as dancing. It not only improves your muscle strength but also helps increase your blood flow and oxygen levels hence increasing your brain function, keeping you active and fresh.
Let’s not forget being happy and active is in your best interest. It helps you be more engaged at work or school and you are more likely gto ive your best on the same.
4. Pick up a hobby
You can decide to do something just for the fun of it. It could be drawing, Cooking or even as simple as taking a walk alone. Hobbies have even turned into careers for some people. A guy who draws for fun , may actually become better at it and end up making more from art than his actual job!
Most millennials think that you have to be in a bar with your friends drinking yourself silly in order to have a good time but its actually not healthy. If you want a new way of unplugging and still have fun while at it, try doing something that is less stressful , that does not include hangovers or deadlines.
5. Religion
Last but not least, we all believe in something, and there is a need to regain some sanity with the stressful nature of life. Simply attending a service gives you a strong sense of community and keeps you disciplined to a certain routine.
It also promotes individual growth as it enables you to reflect back on your life and actions and provides certain values that you as an individual can use to make an impact on the world.
