5 Holiday Unplugging Gains + 5 Tips

The onslaught of family, friends and social events that occurs during the holidays is enough to make even the most social person want to sneak away and enjoy some alone time. However, if your idea of relaxing during the festive madness translates into checking in on Facebook, drooling over Insta-worthy photos or playing a marathon video game session, it might be time to back away from the electronics and start unplugging for the holidays instead.

Benefits of Unplugging

Unplugging for the holidays is not just about putting your smartphone or other tech devices in another room for a few hours. Instead, it’s about making a conscious effort to give your brain a break and allow yourself to savor the smaller joys of life, such as:

• the company of loved ones
• truly enjoying a meal without first taking pictures of it
• even just having some mental downtime

If that sounds a bit corny to you, there are actually scientific benefits to disconnecting and reconnecting with real life:

1. Bid Farewell to Nomophobia

Does putting down your phone make you feel FOMO? If so, you’re not alone.

About half of American adults check their phones numerous times an hour – in fact, nearly one in 10 Americans has used their phone during intimate moments!

Welcome to the world of nomophobia, or the fear of being without your smartphone.

Reducing your screen time means you’ll have less time to waste on things like cat videos and more time to spend on things you’ve been putting off because you “have no free time,” like baking more, trying out a new hobby or just unwinding with a good book. It might take some time to get used to, but soon you’ll find yourself keeping your phone switched off more often than on.

2. Reduce Anxiety

If you’re already stressed, too much tech time can make you feel more anxious and increase levels of depression.

The pressure of waiting for a new like, the seemingly endless scrolling on social media – it can eventually take a toll on mental health. Luckily, unplugging for the holidays can help reverse those effects.

Because anxiety can lead to a host of side effects, from headaches and trouble sleeping to an elevated heart rate, which can lead to heart disease, seize any opportunity (or these handy natural stress relievers) to reduce it! You’ll feel better, and your body will thank you, too – as will your family members, who will appreciate the more cheerful you!

3. Your Brain Will Focus Better

Do you find yourself switching between apps, talking on the phone while playing computer games or simply trying to listen to that story your partner is telling you while checking the weather tomorrow? All that multitasking is doing things to your brain, and they aren’t good.

See, our brains aren’t actually designed to multitask, and we don’t actually do it that way. What happens instead is that our minds just shift focus extremely quickly, losing cognitive function in the process.

In fact, people who multitask tend to be more stressed and impulsive than those who focus on one thing at a time, likely because multitasking can increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol along with adrenaline.

Turning off your technological distractions will allow you to practice mindfulness and give all your attention to what’s happening in front of you, whether it’s playing with your nieces and nephews or enjoying that delicious bite of apple pie. You might notice that you remember small details better, as your brain is able to focus on the task at hand and process information more quickly.

4. Get More Sleep

Watching Netflix in bed or checking your email one last time is ruining your shut-eye. The screens on your favorite gadgets emit a blue light.

To your brain, blue light is the same as daylight and acts to suppress the production of melatonin. That’s a big deal, because melatonin is the hormone responsible for setting our sleep-wake cycles, or circadian rhythms.

This makes it not only harder to fall asleep, but also to fall into the deep sleep our bodies need to properly rejuvenate.

The importance of sleep cannot be overstated. In fact, missing sleep can take years off your life. It can also lead to increased weight gain, increase your chances of getting sick and negatively affect your mood.

Luckily, unplugging can help improve your sleep. You might find your memory improving, as sleeping seems to help new concepts “settle” in the brain.

Getting enough Z’s also reduces inflammation in the body, lowering your risk of everything from heart disease to diabetes.

5. Feel Happier and Healthier with Loved Ones

While too much together time might be what’s driving you to seek the comfort of technology, it might be time to get cozy. Spending time with your friends and family actually improves your health.

It turns out that the more shy and lonely you feel, the more likely you are to be addicted to your smartphone. In addition, people without strong relationships increase their risk of dying prematurely by 50 percent, which is greater than the effect of obesity or physical inactivity.

Unplugging for the holidays gives you an opportunity to nurture those relationships that are important to you and reconnect, while increasing longevity. Not bad!

5 Tips for Unplugging for the Holidays

Ready to unplug but not sure how? These tips will help you have a tech-free holiday and enjoy the benefits of unplugging for the holidays.

1. Get Everyone on Board

It’s a lot easier to stay away from your smartphone if everyone else you’re with does the same. Let family and friends know you’d like to do a digital detox during your time together.

Have everyone turn their phones off, then collect them and keep them in a separate room.

2. Pre-plan Activities

If everyone’s phone is taken and there’s no plan for entertainment, the day might seem boring. Anticipate this and create a list of activities that everyone can participate in.

From making popcorn and watching a movie to going on a hike, baking cookies or playing board games, you’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have together.

3. Keep Your Phone Out of the Bedroom at Night

Invest in an alarm clock and keep your phone out of the room when you’re getting ready to sleep – ideally, you’ll turn it off at least an hour beforehand. You’ll avoid the blue light that can keep you awake and won’t start your day with a social media frenzy.

4. Take Time to Unwind

Whether it’s reading a book or taking a hot bath with essential oils, take time to enjoy the little pleasures of life without technology.

5. Practice Yoga

Yoga changes your brain in various ways, and all of them are for the better! With all the extra time you’ll have from your digital detox, you’ll have time to unroll a mat and do your yoga poses.