19 Jan Is it time for a digital detox?

Typically this time of the year everyone seems to be chatting about what detox plan, diet or fitness regime they’re following and thats great if a new year inspires a new you. But it’s worth remembering that every new month, day and minute offer an opportunity for change, i’ll just let you into a little secret I don’t use the word “diet” especially around my family.

I’m coming from a different angle with the detox, a digital detox!

If your first immediate thought was no way I need my phone, I need to be able to check work e-mails and social media then is that not a sign that perhaps a few hours unplugged would be beneficial. So picture the scene you take a look at a notification, you then find yourself scrolling through to another link or post and then to another and before you know it an hour has passed, sound familiar? And can you remember when was the last time you switched off for 24 hours?

Research has shown that everytime we get a new message, alert, share, post and like our brain gets a hit of the feel good chemical dopamine. Are you aware of being in that continous loop of seeking infomation, texts, emails, tweets etc and then getting rewarded with the responses and replies? Research also suggests that the dopamine system doesn’t have satiety built in causing you to keep seeking. The brain is not designed to be switched on all the time and while you maybe thinking you’re amazing at multi tasking your emails, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat accounts research shows our ability to take on information drops after 53 minutes therefore in terms of productivity its another reason to disconnect.

I’d like to share a few tips and distractions that will offer guidance while you digitally detox enabling your relationships, conversations and physical body to thrive.

Digital Detox Tips:

1. Next time you need to connect with a friend call them instead of sending a text message, replace screen time with conversations.
2. Ensure meal times are a tech-free zone, be a good role model.
3. Ensure bedrooms are a tech-free zone and rediscover reading a book or magazine.
4. Block out time to meet a friend for a cuppa and strengthen your friendships by engaging in meaningful chats without the aid of Facebook etc.
5. Adjust your settings to no automatic notifications and then pick a time in your day that fits into your scheduale to check messages etc.
6. If you’re going off-line for any length of time tell your friends and family so they dont worry when you don’t reply.
7. Distract yourself from digital cravings by going for a walk, a run, do a jigsaw, colour, paint, make a cuppa of your favourite tea, cook from scatch, meditate or do Yoga. Yoga is a great tool to alleviate any text neck symptoms associated with a desk job or sedentary lifestyle.
8. Take micro steps to disconnect, start with an hour and gradually build up to a morning, a whole day even a full weekend.

Expect some withdrawal symptoms and let go of the fear that you might be missing out, it’ll be on your feed or inbox the next day.

You owe it to yourself to create more space in your life for your relationships, friendships, mind, body and sprit to grow. #digitaldetox

Yogi’s there’s so many of you coming down with colds and flu so here is an immunity boosting soup recipe for you, serves around 4-6 people #foodismedicine 

Recipie

2 leeks, sliced

1 large broccoli, chopped

2inch piece of fresh ginger, grated

vegetable stock 1000 ml/2 pints

a dash of Himalayan salt and pepper

2 tsp of tumeric powder

1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed

Coconut milk (the tinned variety you add to curries)

Method: warm a tbsp of coconut oil in a pan, add the leaks, ginger, garlic and tumeric and gently stir and fry till soft.

Add the broccoli (stalks too), stock, salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer until the broccoli is soft.

Blend then add a generous serving of coconut cream.

Enjoy and remember #nophoneage during meal times

Sending you all love, light and good health.

Tara

Reference: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-wise/201209/why-were-all-addicted-texts-twitter-and-google