Give your Brain a Break

We live in a 24-hour world and are constantly bombarded with information and noise. Television, internet and smart phones feeding us texts, emails and social media notifications. There are distractions at home, in the workplace and even in our cars. When can you honestly say you last had a day without checking your phone or computer, probably several times?

We are overloaded with information and are being fed endless streams of it which is hard to process. This constant over stimulation means our brains find it very hard to rest and switch off

Nowadays smartphones, iPad, social media create an expectation that everybody should be ‘available’ all the time which makes taking time out very difficult.

Modern day technology has many benefits however we can reconnect with the world around us by committing to taking a break from our tech and the information it feeds us. This gives us the space to appreciate the power of silence.

Constantly being connected to technology isn’t healthy particularly if you regularly do it to distract yourself from real life. It can be helpful to take a break from overwhelming emotions, but it won’t help you uncover the root causes of your stress. Give yourself a break from your tech, and maybe challenge yourself to face any issues head-on. 

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Four steps to giving your brain a break

1. Decide when you’re going to do this and ensure you’re prepared. If you worried about not being available and this could stop you relaxing then text friends to let them know you won’t be around for a day or two and set up an automatic response on your email.
   
   
2. Plan what you are going to cut out. Information can come in many different forms including television, radio, internet, phone and even newspapers and magazines. The more you are willing to cut out the more benefit you will get.
   
   
3. Put your phone or computer out of sight. If you have it around you, even if it’s off it will still be very distracting. Use the opportunity of a day away from technology to get out and about – go for a walk in the country, meet with a friend or just enjoy a good book. Alternatively try and become comfortable with silence and doing nothing
   
   
4. The behaviours we have developed around our daily use of technology are ingrained habits that have become the ‘norm’ so if you do commit to do this you may initially feel a little uncomfortable when you switch everything off but persevere as this won’t last long and soon you will appreciate the calmer pace of life 

In our busy modern lives, the peace and stillness that results from switching off the technology around us is essential for giving our brain a break and improving overall health and wellbeing. Silence is something we have less and less of in life but the constant stream of information we have around us can overwhelm us and stifle our creativity. Becoming comfortable with silence allows us the space to quieten our minds and breathe.

“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom”

Francis Bacon

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