The funny thing is, although I accomplished something I am proud of, being in front of the screen that many hours really did take a toll on me. I felt drained, my mood was down (for no understandable reason), my eyes had trouble focusing, I felt anxious...etc. I therefore took to looking up studies to see if there is proof that too much "Screen time" is harmful. And while nothing is really conclusive out there, that I could find, it is interesting to note there are studies looking into if too much "screen time" is causing depression and anxiety in kids. Again it is hard to say if it's the machines themselves that is causing the issue or a lack of an active and social lifestyle. But in my experience this week, the two go hand in hand. If I am on my computer, watching TV or checking my phone I am probably not very active.
So I have been exploring what's to be done. I am also one to follow the signs and I found it interesting that this topic kept coming up this week. I am listening to the Audio book version of Arianna Huffington's book Thrive. She certainly addresses this topic and believes too much time on machines is harmful to us. We need time to turn off, unwind and just be. When we are on our machines we are doing none of those things. Constant access to e-mail, needing to tweet our lives and needing instant responses to correspondence is draining and anxiety building. I know this and fall prey to it. I find Facebook just makes me feel bad for no reason I can truly pin point, so why do I feel I need to use it? I am fascinated by our relationships to these things and again I am wanting to explore a good balance.
The time I did spend away from machines and out in the world this week was rewarding, seeing theatre, movies and spending time out in nature with the kids I babysit for. On one evening out, I met some lovely new people and had a good talk with a friend. She said something that tied very much into this blog entry, another sign I received this week. She mentioned that our phones have become a crutch in social situations, when she feels awkward she hides behind her phone and it is making her feel more awkward. She said, "I am not looking people in the eyes." I agree with her and it made me conscious of putting the phone away while out with friends, even when things feel awkward. It also made me think of my first post in this blog many years ago and why I called it Gypsy Eyes.
Arianna Huffington mentions, "what if we had to check our phones at the door, like we check our coats." I have to admit I love this idea. I am old enough to remember when we weren't wired in all the time and I did look people in the eyes more. Therefore, Starting today I am setting a goal that after 6pm I will unplug from my phone and computer. Also this week, I will take another Facebook cleanse. I will allow my evenings to be time with my boyfriend or family I will be visiting, real face time. I say to JR all the time jokingly, "There is so much technology between us," as I have to move phones, remotes and computers to cuddle up to him. I am going to take it seriously and remove them this week. I will relay my findings next week.
So here's to a week of evenings unplugged, another Facebook cleanse and looking people in the eyes. Namaste!
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