The first Friday of March, also known as the National Day of Unplugging (NDU), is a rare opportunity to step away from being digitally connected to the point of distraction. It’s a day to put away the smartphone long enough to reconnect with others, with nature, and with yourself.
The National Day of Unplugging is essentially an awareness campaign. Advocates seek to elevate human connection over digital engagement. Many observe the day by unplugging for the full 24 hours, from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. NDU is an initiative of Unplug Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To date, more than 135,000 people have participated in unplugging events promoting a healthier life/tech balance. More than 1,000 schools, religious institutions, and businesses have hosted such events.
After all, the smartphone is a rather recent phenomenon. It is reasonable to suggest that we’re still adapting to this radical new technology. Society is undergoing nothing less than a paradigm shift — a fundamental lifestyle change to the way we work, learn, socialize, and spend our free time.
To observe National Day of Unplugging on March 4th, turn off and put your phone away for a full 24 hours. Or, if a full day is impractical, just take the first step. Tuck that phone away for an hour, then two, then three. Continue reading for tips on how to observe National Day of Unplugging and establish a healthier relationship with your smartphone.
Fear of Missing Out
This day of unplugging provides an opportunity to question common assumptions. The beauty of a smartphone is at once its bane. All the world is at your fingertips — so is the opportunity to drown in information. Search engines deliver answers to every question. Or do they? A constant barrage of notifications keeps us in touch with our friends. Or do they?
Too often, we succumb to FOMO — fear of missing out! The perils of FOMO have been recognized for a while now. For example, a 2016 study of 386 students from a large, diverse university focused on our relationship with social media. It found a statistically significant relationship between FOMO and symptoms of depression and reduced mindfulness.
The study suggests that it is more than a simple matter of time spent on social media. Fear of missing out is the more potent variable. It leads to that obsession with “checking in” or succumbing to the pressure to post again and again. The danger is becoming a rudderless boat in a sea of instant gratification.
Perhaps it is time for a digital detox! Remember those gratifying conversations that used to last hours and hours? Make it more than a thing of the past — make it a practice of the present.
Tips for Unplugging
If unplugging is so good for us, should we not cultivate the skill more intentionally? What if practicing unplugging became a priority, like practicing your favorite sport or musical instrument? Why not choose mindfulness over that reflexive tendency to check our phones? Consider these tips for being more intentional about the use of your devices. Reduce your phone usage as well as your time spent online.
Silence Notifications
In the world of notifications, when you’re out of touch for a day — or even just a few hours — friends start asking, “What’s wrong?” A barrage of notifications means distraction, pressure, and stress. The solution? Silence them. No more frenetic juggling between the things you need to do and following up on the next notification.
Re-Center and Re-Engage
On this day of unplugging, why not practice the art of more deeply engaging with others and with nature? Compose a heartfelt, handwritten note of thanks. Play cards with friends or family. Break out the board games — Scrabble or Monopoly anyone? On a walk or hike, listen intently for the songs and sounds of birds. Breathe deeply and focus on the fresh air filling your lungs.
Create a More Unplugged Living Space
While you’re focused on unplugging for a day, why not look for ways to make it easier going forward? Here are some things you can do right in your own home.
Create a Place for Meditation
Make a tech-free zone that is your own personal haven from the rigors of daily life. Add the scents and sounds that will relax and rejuvenate you. Consider LED lighting that comes with a remote control that allows you to program whatever colors soothe you the most.
From Mealtime to Bedtime
Like the idea of a gourmet meal? What if we learn to value a “phone-free” meal in the same way? Make the dinner table a “phone-free zone” and focus on making dinnertime a time for true togetherness.
Later, prepare your body for rest by taking a warm bath, drinking tea, or reading a book. Make your bedroom a phone-free zone as well. Consider investing in a good old-fashioned alarm clock to help you wake up in the morning.
There are multiple benefits to keeping smartphones out of your bedroom. Numerous studies suggest that blue light — such as that emitted by a smartphone screen — interferes with circadian rhythms and delays the release of melatonin, the so-called “sleep hormone.” Blue light may also reduce both slow-wave and REM sleep — stages of sleep that are important for mood regulation. As an alternative, consider special glasses that filter blue light. They reduce the adverse effects of backlit screens on everything from computers to smartphones.
Above all else, make the National Day of Unplugging more than a “one-off.” Instead, consider it an opportunity to be intentional about new ways of being.
About Draper and Kramer
Draper and Kramer is a full-service real estate firm founded in Chicago in 1893 that remains family-owned and operated to this day. Draper and Kramer’s luxury apartment properties are amenity-rich environments that make it easier to intentionally unplug both indoors and out. Leave your phone at your apartment — just take your key fob along. Head to the fitness center, relax by the pool, or take advantage of your community’s grilling station. Visit our website to browse our entire selection of properties today.
