The benefits of unplugging from technology

 Hey readers,

In our quick-paced, digital world, unplugging technology has become increasingly vital. 

With technology at our disposal constantly, it's simple to become overwhelmed by the constant barrage of messages and interruptions, which can lead to stress.

 But stepping away from technology can benefit our mental and physical health.

Below are some of the benefits of taking a break from technology.

1. Sleep.

Receiving a constant stream of notifications and alerts on your devices can interfere with your sleep schedule. 

While we all appreciate the odd amusing joke or tweet, it's wise to step away from social media and business correspondence occasionally. 

Recent studies have shown that social media and cellphone usage hurt sleep quality. 

According to additional studies, the blue light emitted by the screens of our computers and smartphones makes it more difficult for us to fall asleep.

 This suggests that before going to bed, we should probably put the technology away.

2. Start Worrying About Yourself. 

It's simple to get sucked into the social media black hole. 

Being drawn into social media may significantly impact your well-being, whether you're worried about who your ex might be seeing or what your pals are up to. 

While your friends post pictures of themselves hanging out while you weren't invited, it's natural to feel worried. Here's what you can do: stop using social media!

Unplugging from your phone, particularly social media, enables you to realise that you should be concentrating on your overall well-being rather than what someone else is likely doing all the time.

 When we unplug, we start worrying about ourselves instead of other people.

3. Provide more time for simple pleasures.

Simple joys are made possible by taking a break from technology.

 You may use that time to read a book or engage in a stimulating activity like puzzle building instead of watching TV or browsing the internet. 

There won't be any interruptions whether you cook, send a note to a loved one, or play with your pet. Increased enjoyment of your favourite activities can greatly enhance your well-being and enable you to live fully.

4. Discover time.

What you can accomplish when you're not shackled to your phone or computer is incredible.

 Consider how much time you waste reading through social media on your phone or tablet, browsing the web, or watching TV. 

Now consider what else you could accomplish with all that free time! Take a lesson, get in touch with pals (in person), go for a walk, or spend time with your family. All those little time snatches pile up!

5. Increased creativity.

You can think more creatively if you unplug once a week. 

When you're always connected, it's challenging to come up with fresh ideas or refine existing ones because there are so many distractions. 

Productivity and creativity go hand in hand, and unplugging can help you access this mental region.

What do you think about unplugging from technology? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cheers for reading X

How to recharge on your day off.

Hey readers,  

Everybody anticipates their days off. We look forward to having a day off, whether a weekend, personal day, or vacation, and we count down the minutes.

 Unfortunately, vacation days sometimes fall short of our expectations. Have you ever left work feeling drained and harried, more eager to take a break than ready to take on the day's new challenges? To learn some advice and activities to recharge on your day off, continue reading.

1. Make your bed.

 

After moving into my apartment this past fall, I had fresh bed linens, an early wake-up time, and a headboard for the first time in years. Given that I left my bed in the same tattered heap it was in when I got up, why was I treating my space like a college dorm room?

I've made a conscious effort over the past few months to make my bed as soon as I wake up. I've never developed a habit for which I am more grateful at the end of the day.

Making my bed is one of the quickest tasks as it doesn't take long. All I have to do is make sure the quilt and pillows are puffed up and straight on my bed. 

 Although it initially appeared absurd, who will check my room when I'm gone all day? Making your bed when you get home helps you feel better after work. 

Now, instead of being distracted and excessively irritated by an untidy atmosphere when I return home from a long day at work, I can enter my room and feel put together.

 Making your bed in the morning might help you start the day off feeling focused and orderly.

2. Get ahead. 

Use your additional day to catch up on work, housekeeping, errands, paperwork, doctor's appointments, haircuts, manicures, and other obligations before taking a break. 

Long-term stress reduction will result from it, and you'll feel more productive and self-assured in the near term. Using your day to get ahead is always a good idea in the long run—you'll thank yourself later, provided you are not exhausted.

3. Go for a walk.  

Take a stroll through your neighbourhood, the park, a garden, or any other tranquil area nearby. Walking is terrific exercise and a great way to unwind and reflect.

4. Take some time offline. 

Consider this: when was the last time you went a whole day without using the internet? That entails avoiding work-related emails, social media, messaging, and applications.

 For many of us, the internet permeates every aspect of our lives. And even if it is beneficial to feel connected and current, it also means that you can only partially unplug.

So why not disconnect from the internet? You should entirely cut yourself off from the internet on your next day off. 

Turn off your Wi-Fi, put your phone in aeroplane mode, and block all temptations from the internet from your line of sight.

 Instead, focus on offline hobbies like reading or creative pursuits like drawing.

5. Watch your stimulant and alcohol use. 

We frequently turn to caffeine or alcohol when worn out, stressed out, at ease, or celebrating.

 While most individuals will agree that enjoying things in moderation is acceptable, 

overindulging can eventually result in health problems. If you're feeling lethargic and reaching for your fourth coffee of the day, a glass of water, a quick walk, or some sleep will better treat the underlying issue.

What do you find helpful to recharge on a day off? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X 

Ways to respond when someone says they have depression.

Hey readers, 

You will likely come into contact with someone who battles depression at some point.

. 

If a friend or member of your family has opened up to you about their depression, you probably want to know how you can support them. 

When someone opens up to you about their mental health, responding constructively is crucial because depression is a severe illness.

We're here to assist by demonstrating how to react when someone discloses they have depression. Do you wish to discuss it? When you're ready.

1. I'll be here.

Although you can't make someone talk, letting them know you're there for them can make them feel supported.

You should remark you've noticed they're having a hard time, and you're available if they want to talk if they haven't been open with you about their melancholy. 

If you merely ask them, "Are you OK?" they may already be accustomed to acting fine and say, "I'm fine."

Tell them you'll be there for them when they're ready to chat if they're not ready right away.

 They might consider your offer and come to you when they are struggling and need someone to discuss their issues.

2. Offer a silent embrace or hug.

Silence is a vital tool that may acknowledge the gravity of a situation without adding to it. 

Hugging or holding their hand might be a soothing act if you have a close relationship with someone.

 Sometimes, nothing more than your presence not your words is required.

3. Take as much time as necessary. 

Even seemingly simple things can feel daunting to someone experiencing severe depression or simply in a terrible mood. 

Even simple tasks like cooking or taking a shower may seem overwhelming, especially in the morning. 

Giving them more time to do these duties is a good idea because many people with depression experience mood improvements as the day draw to a close.

4. Try to have these discussions face-to-face.

Although it's acceptable to have these chats over the phone or via text, speaking in person is much more helpful.

So much is lost through texting in terms of tone and harshness. You could suggest they pick up the phone if someone texts you and admits they're depressed. As previously mentioned, you could also call them right away. 

Feeling burdensome is a sign of depression, so even if someone wants to talk on the phone, they might hold off because they don't want to feel like an imposition.

Alternatively, reply to their SMS with a statement that you care about them and are open to a face-to-face conversation.

What suggestions would you give to speak to someone with depression?

 Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

 

Cheers for reading x

Why can dancing relief stress

Hey readers, 

You may be wanting to start trying something new in the year so here's the reasons why you should consider dancing.

1. The mind feels good. 

The scientific reason why dance can act as a stress reliever stems from the idea that when the body feels good, the mind does, too.

 Any type of physical activity releases neurotransmitters and endorphins which serve to alleviate stress.

 Neurotransmitters are chemicals within the brain that help communicate messages throughout the body. Endorphins are the body’s natural painkiller to reduce stress and improve the mind’s perception of the world.

 Thus, after a good workout, the endorphins cause the body to feel calm and optimistic. The endorphins also aid in improving the quality of sleep, so that a few sleepless nights due to stress can be avoided after dancing! 

2. Improve your fine motor skills, coordination and balance.

 Good coordination and balance are what stop you from walking into things or falling over. 

Dancing is a very intricate art form, and as you can see from the routines on Strictly, it requires a lot of coordination and balance.

 With a lot of practice, you will even find you become less dizzy when doing a dance that involves lots of spinning around, such as the waltz.

 Dancing is also an excellent way of improving your fine motor skills - these are movements involving your hands, fingers, feet and toes, which aren't necessarily the focus of other types of exercise. 

Dance classes can even teach you how to fall more safely, so you'll learn how to reduce the impact if you do take a tumble.

3. Dance can help with weight loss. 

Dancing is also a form of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise, which is a great calorie burner, Dr Gardner says, “Jumping and twirling movements are great aerobic training while holding positions of squatting and balance positions can turn on the anaerobic energy system,” she explains. In general, the more up-tempo the dance style, the more calories and energy will be burned. 

Depending on the style of dance and your body weight, 30 minutes of dancing can burn between 90 and 252 calories. This type of high-intensity calorie burning can help support weight loss if you’re trying to shed pounds.

 If you want to maximize calorie burn, Granger suggests taking a dance cardio class, designed to blast calories and improve physical fitness.

 

4. Social touch.

Many types of dance require you to be physically closer to people than you would usually be in everyday interaction. 

Your dance partner or group enter your bubble, known academically as your ‘peri-personal’ space.

 This form of close contact (when it is consensual and with partners, you are comfortable with) releases a chemical called oxytocin. 

This hormone makes us feel sociable and helps us bond with the people around us. 

We are innately social animals, with much in common with our primate ancestors. Our need for physical social contact is not dissimilar to how monkeys use grooming to connect with and comfort each other. 

In today’s reserved society, we are considerably lacking in intimate, platonic interactions. Christensen says we need at least 8 hugs a day to feel human. Alternatively, 4 hugs and a dance class.

5. Dancing is fun. 

Dancing is an enjoyable exercise. Although dance is an art form and a discipline that requires concentration and practice, it is also a very enjoyable form of exercise. 

Whether your favourite type of dance is Classical Waltz, Jazz, Tap, Zumba, Hip Hop or Free-Form Modern Improvisation, you will enjoy the social aspects of classes that include partnering with other dancers, group dancing and creative, free-form expression as you learn, practice and perform different modes and styles of dance. 

You will feel youthful, free limber and stronger from dancing regularly. 

Cheers for reading X