It’s everywhere. It’s in our homes, on the roads, at dinner, and even in the bathrooms! Technology addiction, that is. This ubiquitous habit is well documented in the countless articles that have been written about social media dependency, and there’s currently a NoPhone Kickstarter campaign designed to “cure” your cell phone addiction. Functioning without a cell phone for more than a day can be challenging. How else would you remember Aunt Shirley’s birthday was coming up? Or that you signed up for a promotional Zumba class on MeetUp? Who are you kidding? You wouldn’t!
While technology allows us to seamlessly integrate and organize our personal, social, and professional lives, it’s important to schedule some time to unplug and unwind. I admit that I compulsively check my phone for texts and emails. But one day I left my charger home and was forced to go without my phone all day at work.
After an unsuccessful attempt to borrow one from my coworkers and debating whether I wanted to spend the $30 on buying a new charger, I decided to leave my phone off until I got home. It wasn’t a Nobel Peace Prize–worthy accomplishment but it was a welcome reminder to focus on other important things instead of crafting clever hashtags. #yesimaboutthathashtaglife
Here are some creative ways to help you unplug more often:
1. Go somewhere where you have no cell phone service. Ride the subway, travel somewhere outside the city closer to nature, or maybe you have a terrible service provider. I live in NYC where riding the subway or other overcrowded commuter trains such as Metro-North or the LIRR (which start out underground) is a normal, everyday routine. Going underground (in addition to having a notoriously unreliable service provider) can afford me a minimum of fifteen minutes without phone service.
2. Charge your phone on airplane mode in a separate room. Allegedly putting your phone on airplane mode will charge your phone faster but it will also suspend your service so you won’t receive any notifications. Charging it in another room is an added bonus.
3. Give it to someone to hold. Yes, we are still talking about technology and cell phones. Although these ideas sound like borderline addiction-management techniques, the purpose is to help you unplug. Sure, you could leave your phone on silent next to you or upside down, but how long would that last?
4. Quick-fix meditation. I challenge you to close your eyes and count to sixty. Inhale on one, exhale on two, inhale on three, and so on. This counting/breathing exercise is a quick way to kick the compulsion to check your phone.
How do you “unplug”? Let us know @VirgoGirlMedia #VirgoGirlApproved