Yes, You Need to Unplug — Here’s How

When’s the last time you escaped — either with your mind or your body?

When’s the last time you weren’t tethered to your cell phone and your email, your thoughts constantly interrupted by their pings?

If you’re like most of us, you probably can’t remember when. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it’s become overwhelming — and more and more people are realizing the benefits of unplugging.

Whether you do it through yoga, meditation — or our favorite: traveling abroad — it is clear that getting away can actually help you come back into focus.

A New York Times article discussed this shift towards mindfulness, focusing on Sorden Gordhamer and his organization Wisdom 2.0, which examines “how we can live with technology without it swallowing us whole.”

One thing Gordhamer said really hit home for us here at Discover Corps:

“What the culture is craving is a sense of ease and reflection, of not needing to be stimulated or entertained or going after something constantly. Nobody’s kicking out technology, but we have to regain our connection to others and to nature or else everybody loses.” (Emphasis ours.)

We couldn’t agree more. We love technology, but we wholeheartedly believe in the power of shared humanity and the importance of connecting to each other face-to-face. That’s why we do what we do.

Is it time for you to unplug?

Are you in need of some unplugging from technology, and reconnecting to life?

Here are some easy suggestions:

• Go on a weekly date with your partner — no cell phones allowed
• Try five minutes of meditation each morning (ironically, there’s a great app for that)
• Join a local yoga studio; many offer reduced cost memberships for new students
• Turn off email notifications on your phone (here’s how entrepreneur Alexis Grant did it)
• Have a tech-free game night with family or friends
• Get outside! Take a walk, run, or hike and get lost in your thoughts and in nature

See? Though mindfulness is difficult to achieve, it is simple to implement. All you have to do is get started.

And if you enjoy the feeling, we recommend taking it a step further and truly getting away: travel to a new place and allow yourself to be consumed by its sights, sounds, and smells. Go somewhere where your phone won’t work, and your email won’t matter.

Because we think immersing yourself in a new culture, getting your hands dirty, and enjoying true human connections is the best escape in the world.

Do you struggle with mindfulness? What are your favorite ways to unplug?