DISCONNECTINGFROMTECHNOLOGY

RICHARD BATTISTA

Too often your friends or family members have beentexting, emailing, or making plans with other peoplewhen you are sitting at a dinner table, patientlywaiting for them to notice you have said somethingquite important. While there is no argument thattechnology has positively affecting the convenienceaspect of our lives, there also comes to time whenwe have to be honest with ourselves and ask “Do wereally need to respond right when someone textsus?”

Disconnecting from devices such as mobile phones,laptops, or ipads has become a new movement inwhich professionals of all ages are gearing awayfrom becoming wholly dependent on electronicmachines. By removing yourself from these gadgets,you can be more present on vacation, meeting upwith an old friend, or attending your family’s annualBBQ during Memorial day.

Other Options

Returning to activities you enjoy that do not require amoving screen is an essential way to alleviate stresscreated by devices. Conducting a bit of research to findthe latest fiction novel, brushing up on yourphotography skills, or getting back into yoga can onceagain become integral parts of your life. Hopefully, thiswould curb any addictive or unhealthy habits you mayhave, creating a more in tune sense of self.

CheckingOut

Whether it is after work or every Sunday afternoon,planning an allotted timeframe with no technology useis definitely a step in the right direction. Instead oftexting your friends from home, take 15 mins to go on awalk with a coworker to better understand he/she as aperson. Also, not checking your phone after say, 10pmeveryday will also allow you to reflect on your thoughts,ideas or opinions that may have been suppressedthroughout the day.

BePresent

When meeting an old friend for dinner or visiting yoursister for the first time in awhile, be sure to put yourphone away for an extended amount of time. Thisemotional barrier that a phone symbolizes at a dinnertable can not only indicate indifference or boredom, butit is also disrespectful to whomever is sitting acrossfrom you. Be present in making that dinner or cup ofcoffee a memory instead of a dinner where you weretexting as a friend was trying to open up to you abouttheir latest hardship.

SettingBoundaries

Notifying people in your social circle about your latestbehavioral habits or changes will allow you to be incontrol of your already well-established and newrelationships. Making clear expectations on their endwill foster an open environment which is built onhonesty, reciprocation and open-mindedness.