#MindfulnessMonday 9/9/19
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#MindfulnessMonday Tip: Anne Lamott said it best when she said, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
Why should we unplug?
Our lives have never been more automated than they are right now. We have instant access to information, which fifteen or twenty years ago would have been unheard of. Yet, with all these advances which are designed to make our lives easier and more efficient, we still spend less time resting then we ever did before. Hence the need to unplug and recharge!
Unplugging doesn’t necessarily mean sleep… it means rest. Rest from the constant overload of technology. It means to take a break, both physically and mentally. Step away from the screens, from 24/7 connection, and allow yourself to find calm, peace, and stillness.
The loss of truly recharging sleep, that so many of us experience, is a huge and sadly common factor in daily unhappiness and increased stress.
Our brains and bodies are resilient, but the more we add to our to do list, the more screen time we allow ourselves, the more stress we add to our daily lives the less rest we get when we actually lay down at night. A lack of restful sleep can lead to not only increased stress, depression, and a feeling over overall fatigue throughout the day – it can lead to severe medical conditions.
I encourage you to see your doctor for advice if you feel that your lack of restful sleep is getting worse or has been chronically poor over a long period of time.
Today’s Mindfulness Exercise:
24 Hour Unplug and Recharge Exercise
This one might be hard for some of you, but the benefits
are worth it… I want you to pick a day, 24 hours minimum, where you are going
to completely unplug. I recommend a non-work day. Turn off your phone, unplug
your computer, television, gaming system, and any other electronic devise that
might tempt you.
Spend time outside, reading, playing cards or board games with your friends and
family, cooking, whatever activities that make you happy as long as there is no
technology involved.
Mindfulness Journaling:
After you’ve completed your 24 Hour Unplug and Recharge Exercise, spend five to ten minutes journaling how the exercise made you feel. Its completely normal to have experiences a little anxiety about not being socially connected. Its even normal to experience the fear of missing out. Record everything you felt, good and bad, that way when you complete the exercise the next time you can see if and how these emotions have changed. The more often you complete the exercise, the easy you will find it gets.
Mindfulness journaling can be very private. However, I would love to invite you to comment below and share your experiences with the ‘Clean a Room Mindfully’ exercise.
Check out my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Unplug and Recharge!
The Power of Napping!
10 Mindfulness Tips for Everyday Practice!
Mindfulness in the Workplace
7 Tips for Bringing Mindfulness into Your Life!
Would you like to take the 52-week challenge and experience a more mindful existence? Check out The Invisible You ~ 52 Weeks of Meditations, Activities, and Writing Prompts to Help you Discover You!
I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.
Nina Soden 