Taking Mini Recharge Breaks From Technology
As the days get longer and the flowers start to bloom, I always feel this need to run away from it all and recharge my batteries (so to speak.) It isn’t easy to drop everything, put away the technology and take off for a spa weekend to recharge. I have a business to run and a family who wants to eat and need rides.
Instead of sneaking away, I have found that small mini breaks are often enough to recharge my own batteries. I spend a lot of time recharging batteries in all my gadgets and often forget to take care of my own batteries!
Here are a few ways to fit in a recharge break from your technology:
1. No technology at dinner. I will get so focused on writing that I will forget to eat lunch and before I know it, six hours have gone by and the kids are home and the chaos all begins. Turning off the TV, putting the phones away and sitting down to a family dinner clears my mind and puts the focus on my family.
2. Take a walk. In the Spring when it is sunny and not sweltering hot, I love to take walks. Just getting up from my desk and walking to the mailbox is sometimes enough.
3. Date Night with yourself. Yes, make a date with yourself once every week (or at least once every month.) Put it on the calendar so everyone knows that you have plans. Go shopping, take a bath, read a book or watch a movie or maybe go to bed at 7:00 pm. Just turn off the computer and your phone so you won’t be interrupted.
4. Sleep-in Sundays. I like to refer to Sunday as my recharge day. Most activities are not scheduled for Sunday morning so it is usually the one morning I can turn off the alarm clock and sleep in. The rest of my family knows not to disturb me unless it’s a REAL emergency. It feels good to turn off the alarm clock one day every week.
5. Turn off the technology. Just simply setting business hours and turning off the phone when you are off work will make a big difference.
With all of the mobile technology so easily available, we feel the need to always be on and social. That is a lot to ask of anyone. Be sure to take time every day to not be “on.”
Do you take tech breaks? How often? Do you feel it helps clear your mind?
Photos from Microsoft Images.
Michele McGraw
Michele, a tech mom, blogs at Scraps of My Geek Life about technology, fitness and digital scrapbooking. For the last 15+ years, Michele has been connecting women online in support of their hobbies and healthy lifestyles. Scraps of My Geek Life offers daily commentary, advice, reviews and shared experiences of how her real life and the digital domain connect. Michele shows families how to use technology to enhance their lives.
Follow Me:
fantastic post!!! balancing the wonders of technology and life can be a challenge, especially for bloggers! thanks or the tips!