The Art of Unplugging

Are you suffering from Radio Wave Brain Mush Syndrome?

Stop and look at yourself right now. How many electronic devices do you have on or around you? If you are like most Americans you have a technology addiction. Computers, Ipods, cell phones...  We have invented so many different ways to distract ourselves from what is actually happening in our lives. We are never actually here to experience the moment for what it is. We are always somewhere else.. Hanging out in Twitterland or Facebookville while our lives pass us by. As handy as these devices can be, they complicate our lives, bombard our minds with unnecessary and unreal stress, and are one of the biggest causes of our cultural unhappiness. Imagine if you didn’t use any electronic devices. Imagine if you didn’t feel the need to check your e-mail ten times a day or text and call relentlessly. Life would be so simple. All you would have to do is address situations as the presented themselves. You would be able to live your life fully and uninterrupted. This simplicity can be achieved, even today. By reducing your time spent plugged in, you can create more energy, ease and happiness in your life.....Its time to check yourself into radio wave rehab.

The American society has created the stereotype of the busy american mom, the overworked dad-- and because of this we feel we have to fill these roles. How much of what you do do you do because you feel you should be busy? This condition of constant external stimuli leads to what I call “media overwhelm” which is a feeling that there is too much to watch hear or know and too little time. It’s a self demeaning feeling that I should be keeping up with everything but I just cant. When you think about it, this feeling is completely self created but many people are not aware that they are even suffering from it. This constant distraction has created a society of worry ridden, stressed out people who have lost control of their minds and are suffering because of it.

A busy and complicated life inevitably creates a busy and complicated mind. Just as your life is a reflection of your mental state, your mental state is a reflection of your life and as you probably know, your mental state is the biggest determining factor of your overall happiness. A busy, untamed mind creates unrest, stress and suffering while a clear, calm, and focused mind cultivates peace, ease and happiness. What would happen if you simply didn’t check your email or answer that phone call? If you experiment with unplugging you will learn that nothing will happen. The world will not end, people wont think less of you and you will feel happier and more energized because of it.

How To Unplug

Here are a few tips to reduce destructive stimuli and boost overall happiness.

1. Don't Text. Texting is incredibly time consuming and stress creating. Call or not at all.

2. Check your e-mail no more than three times a day. 

Any more than that is unproductive and unnecessary. 

3. Limit unproductive web surfing. 

Take the time yo would normally spend catching up on your favorite TV shows or celebrity gossip and spend it doing something meaningful.

4. Don’t Watch the News

I know I know.. How can I be a respectful well informed citizen? Truth is, if something happens you’ll hear about it and by refraining from this kind of media you can free up so much time.

5. Ask yourself.. “Am I being busy for the sake of being busy?”

You’ll be surprised how much you do for the lack of something to do.

6. Practice Wild Movement

Exercise and time spent in nature naturally reduces stress, boosts energy and creates the simplicity and mental focus which we know leads to happiness. 

Too much stimuli is destructive and overwhelming, but some is necessary to function in todays world. I know total regression into the simplistic life of a paleolithic human is not possible nor completely desirable but there are lessons to be learned from this kind of life that may just make your fast paced life a bit more peaceful. Begin today by resolving to cut out unnecessary stimuli and busyness and fully experience the one life you have :)

Move. Explore. Discover

Wild Movement