Unplugging Without Disconnecting

SHOW NOTES: 

On this show...we are seeking a new routine, unhooking from harmful habits, and finding creative ways to seek comfort and knowledge as we look at, unplugging without disconnecting. Let’s face it, autopilot has become well, automatic; without question or concern. This week loops into the next and then months become quarters and years get swallowed by decades. Before you know it, your sick, tired, and hungry for something more but you’ve been turned around so many times like a kid at a party with a blindfold and a bat - smacking away hoping to hit it big. Do you even know where the pinata is or what’s inside? To restart your life in a new direction you might need to take it back to idle to even determine what’s important and how far apart you are; from a wish to reality. This isn’t an isolated journey, so staying connected to the positive while you disconnect from the negative is vital.

I’m pretty confident it is not a new revelation that our minds may be overstimulated in today’s world. Everything we need to know, want to know, could even possibly fathom can be found on a device that fits in our hand. We are walking around with access to answer every question we could ever pose. Now, do we always get the right answer? Well, no, there are opinions mixed with factual studies competing for SEO-influenced positioning. So you’re satisfied with the first answer, chances are, it paid to be first instead of accurate. 

This brings me to the lost art of wonder.  To have an interest in knowing or learning something: to think about something with curiosity

Here are 5 Reasons to Let Your Mind Wander from Eric Scott Burton - Eric a writer on self-improvement, entrepreneurship, and mindset. He wants to help people overcome obstacles, grow, learn, and thrive.

This article is found on ericscottburton.com

• First, You Do This Naturally
• Second, It Helps You Focus
• Third, Mind Wander Opens Up Your Creativity
• Fourth, Mind Wander Lets You Comprehend Your Emotions
• Fifth, Mind Wander Can Help With Goal Setting

Ok - so now we see the importance of letting your mind soar instead of veering off course but when every second of the day seems to be filled with mind-numbing information, entertainment, and over-stimulation, when is that supposed to happen?

As with anything else, you will have to be intentional. 

If it’s “new’s” you’re looking for you can get what’s happening and personal opinions, on your phone, on the web, at the newspaper stand (yes they still exist), and on the TV literally 24/7. The same headlines over and over and over again - so no need to rush if you missed it, it will be up again shortly. 

If it’s entertainment you’re seeking then you’ve got it on any mobile device, on the computer, in a box, on a PlayStation, by yourself, or connected to people all over the world. 

We haven’t even to tapped into the social side of things….want to participate, like, love, connect, creep, poke, wink, PM, DM. You can do this from any phone, computer, tablet. But what about people connecting, in person, and sharing? Is that as antiquated as, wonder?

Neuroscientist Daniel J Levitin explains how our addiction to technology is making us less efficient in his article: Why the modern world is bad for your brain.

Our brains are busier than ever before. We’re assaulted with facts, pseudo-facts, jibber-jabber, and rumor, all posing as information. Trying to figure out what you need to know and what you can ignore is exhausting. 

So much good stuff in this article...take a listen!

Multitasking has been found to increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol as well as the fight-or-flight hormone adrenaline, which can overstimulate your brain and cause mental fog or scrambled thinking.

The title of this show is Unplugging Without Disconnecting because, it’s important to remember, stepping away from technology reliance shouldn’t interrupt your personal connections. If it does, you might need to re-evaluate the balance you have of in-person face-face connections and social media friends and followers. 

Modern conveniences have made our life easier, there is no doubt about that but has it made it richer? Do you re-invest the extra time you save into growing your personal connections and experiences? People-need-people. To love, to nurture, to learn from, to be heard from, to encourage, to be encouraged, to support and be supported. You see the theme. You need them and they need you. 

Sure you can send a message with one hand at lightning speed and inform someone of something important. But nothing can replace looking into another person’s eyes while they hear that news, watching their reaction, giving them a high-five, or a shoulder to cry on. Nothing can replace YOU. 

Jennifer Latson offers us A Cure for Disconnection Loneliness is a problem of epidemic proportions, affecting millions from all walks of life. But while its roots are complex, remedies may be within reach. In an article, she wrote for psychologytoday.com 

• DO TALK TO STRANGERS
• GIVE IT SEVEN MINUTES
• SCHEDULE FACE TIME
• IF YOU CAN'T GET FACE TIME, CHOOSE FACETIME
• USE FACEBOOK WISELY
• BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
• THROW A DINNER PARTY
• GET CREATIVE
• TALK ABOUT IT
• REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE—LITERALLY

Key Highlights 

1.  To wonder.  To have an interest in knowing or learning something: to think about something with curiosity
2.  By allowing your mind to wander, you are processing the world around you and coming up with solutions. 
3. If you want to grow, you’re going to have to accept the bad stuff that comes with it.
4. Although we think we’re doing several things at once, multitasking, this is a powerful and diabolical illusion.
5. Multitasking has been found to increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol as well as the fight-or-flight hormone adrenaline, which can overstimulate your brain and cause mental fog or scrambled thinking.
6. It’s important to remember, stepping away from technology reliance shouldn’t interrupt your personal connections.
7. But nothing can replace looking into another person’s eyes while they hear that news, watching their reaction, giving them a high-five, or a shoulder to cry on.
8. We can feel much better after just 30 seconds of talking to someone in person, whereas we don't get that benefit from online interaction."
9. invite your neighbors over for coffee and offer to feed their cats when they go out of town. You'll be happier and healthier for it.
10.  Hugging, holding hands, or even just patting someone on the back is powerful medicine.

 

CHALLENGE: feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated? Unplug from the source of your discomfort. Let your mind wander without limits. Connect to those who breathe life and love into your world and reciprocate as you can. 

 

I Know YOU Can Do It!