In the modern world of 24/7 work and constant distraction, stepping away from screens and devices can seem nearly impossible. But it is possible—and necessary—to unplug and create boundaries for your health and well-being. Unplugging for well-being fosters creativity, balance, and clarity and allows us to remain productive and maintain healthy social relationships. Read on to learn more about how to create boundaries in a 24/7 work culture.
1. Rediscovering the Benefits of Unplugging
We live in a digital age. We’re constantly plugged in to our gadgets and glued to our devices, letting technology consume nearly every moment of our lives. But, there’s something to be said for occasionally unplugging and taking a break from it all – to hit the “reset” button so to speak.
One way to do this is to go for a clear out of old, unused tech around the house. Make a pile of all those old computer parts, cell phones, cables and wires you’ve been hanging on to for no reason, pull them out from hiding and get rid of them with a responsible recycling programme to free up digital space.
Once you’ve given yourself the breathing room, why not commit to a real break? Turning off the ever-present notifications, dimming the screen on your phone and shutting off your computer can help you truly unplug and give yourself a rest from digital life.
Once you’ve taken that important step, you may want to consider picking up a few hobbies for your newly freed-up time:
- Rock climbing
- Knitting
- Sketching
- Painting
- Playing a musical instrument
- Building a model
Your hobbies don’t have to be intense or time consuming – even the simple act of reading a book or writing a letter to a pen-pal can be pleasingly distracting. Not only can these activities blast boredom away, but they’re also great for your personal development.
Unplugging can have other unexpected benefits too; research indicates that spending time away from electronic devices can restore your attention span and help reset your sleep cycle. The time you spend without your phone can actually make you more productive when you’re back online.
2. Creating Personal Boundaries in a 24/7 Work Culture
Striking a Work/Life Balance
In a 24/7 work culture, it’s easy for work to consume all of your valuable and limited time. To ensure that you don’t get trapped in the cycle of a work-centered life, creating personal boundaries is essential. Marking out space and time to focus on non-work related activities will help to protect your overall wellbeing and sanity.
- Separate your work space from your personal space, be it a physical or mental boundary.
- Schedule time off work in advance, just like you would schedule any other important activity.
- Set aside specific days of the week to focus on relationships with family and friends.
- Make sure to plan activities that make you happy and bring joy into your life.
It is particularly important to put thought into how you structure your work schedule. Overworking yourself is not beneficial and can lead to stress and burn out. Do not allow yourself to be available at all hours of the day. Instead, try to create a more structured routine and stick to it. Another great tip is to end your day with a set of tasks that you can wrap up the moment your shift is over.
Time management apps like Any.do and Focusmate can be extremely helpful if you find yourself struggling to stay organized. Utilizing pre-scheduled notifications to remind you to take a break or plan other non-work activities can have a tremendous impact in helping you remain productive and satisfied.
In the end, it’s a personal journey. You may need to experiment with different ways of creating boundaries until you find an approach that works for you. Celebrate the progress that you make, regardless of how small it may seem, every step is important.
3. Making Time for Rest and Recharging
is essential for good physical and mental health. You need to take time away from work or other obligations sometimes in order to allow your body and mind to relax and heal. Here are a few activities that can help you recharge:
- Exercising: Going for a run, doing yoga, or taking a walk can help your mental and physical health. Exercise helps you clear your head and can help bring clarity to situations.
- Breaking from routine: Do something unexpected. Get a change of scenery or take a step outside of your regular routine. Maybe take a new route to work, or try a new hobby.
- Socializing: Spending time with friends and family can be a great recharge. Have meaningful conversations and find ways to relax and be present with the people you care about.
Rest is also extremely important and can be done in some simple ways. Take a nap, meditate, or just give yourself some time to relax and do nothing. This gives your body and mind a break and helps you to recharge.
Self care: Self care comes in many forms, from eating a nutritious diet to taking the time for a massage. Taking the time to do something for yourself is not only beneficial, but necessary.
should be a priority. Taking some “me time” can help you be more productive at work and in your personal life. You can’t fill from an empty cup, so make sure to take breaks and make the most of your time to rest and recharge.
4. Practicing Unplugged Self-Care for Well-Being
As our modern lifestyle becomes increasingly reliant on technology and connectivity, it is important to take time to step away from the screens and practice real, unplugged self-care. Here are some ideas to get started:
Connect with nature: Get outdoors and appreciate the beauty and peace of nature. Take time to look up at the sky or take a walk by the beach. Nothing beats the stress-relieving power of fresh air!
Set up a retreat: Clear a space in your home and make it a special sanctuary of relaxation where you can go when you need some solitude and peace of mind. Light some candles, choose a nature soundtrack, and give yourself the time and comfort to just reconnect with yourself.
Downright unplug: Give yourself some screen-free downtime. Leave your phone at home and make an concerted effort to take a break from social media, video games, TV, and any other technology.
Try some activities:
- Go for a run or yoga class
- Pick up paper and pencils and draw or write poetry
- Visit a nearby museum or gallery
- Listen to music or play an instrument
- Bake a cake or whip up a new recipe
- Take a day trip to an enchanted location
Everyone needs a breather from time to time. Taking some time for yourself can be one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating things you can do. Treat yourself and listen to the whisper of your inner wisdom — and be sure to enjoy the peace that comes from truly disconnecting and taking a break.
Unplugging is a powerful tool to get back in control of our precious time and to create balance between work and leisure. Mindful use of our digital devices can free us from the 24/7 mindset and restore our ability to live life fully and consciously. So go ahead and unplug from time to time – it just might bring you a brighter outlook on life!
