3 Reasons You Need to Unplug
August is International Peace Month. And though it is an observation reserved from peace from past wars in history, it’s safe to say as a society we continually fight small battles every day. Battles like over exhaustion, over exposure, over connected to technology, and overwhelmed by the stresses of life. Is it any wonder we can barely keep our eyes open during the work day? Here are 3 reasons you need to unplug and how it can best benefit your life.
1.) To Recharge: Researchers from Kansas State University have found that unplugging after work can make a big difference in your quality of life, health, and happiness. Researchers found that when people “unplugged” from work related tasks, such as checking their work email after hours, they reported feeling fresher and better recharged when beginning work the following day. When you get home from work rather than revel in work related stresses, enjoy a nice meal with your family, go for a walk, or just enjoy some downtime. Otherwise, you run the risk of burning out, over eating and compromising your immune system, which makes you more prone to illnesses.
2.) To Sleep Better: One study from the National Institutes of Health found that people who are heavy technology users have a higher risk of sleep disturbances and mental health issues. And other studies have shown that browsing light-emitting devices like iPads and e-readers at bedtime disrupts sleep. Lack of sleep can cause a variety of issues throughout your day from fatigue to making poor nutrition choices to stay awake. Being tired at night can take energy away from your day and zap your motivation to exercise as well. It helps to power down your electronic devices and your television at least an hour before bedtime to limit exposure to the kind of artificial lighting that can interrupt normal sleep patterns.
3.) To Reconnect: Keeping up with email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other sites 24/7 can be exhausting, bad for our brains, bad for our relationships, and bad for our productivity. Constantly being inundated with distractions can distract you from being mindful. As a result, you could be missing out on life’s little pleasures like talking with a good friend or enjoying a delicious home cooked meal. When you put down the phone, power down the tablet and step away from your computer, you can focus more of your time and energy on being present and connected with the world and people around you.
While technology makes communication super-fast and life more convenient, it’s still important to unplug daily for your own mental and physical health. You may be surprised how much more refreshed you feel after a weekend away from the computer. For more healthy lifestyle tips and nutritional guidance, please contact Right Nutrition Works today!
Prajakta Apte, RDN
Right Nutrition Works
623-556-3886
Follow us on Facebook!
Click here for your FREE eBook!
