The Importance of Switching Off
Today’s world only seems to be getting more hectic and overwhelming, and the events of the past few years have only exacerbated the burnout and stress of everyday life. Increasing work demands, long working hours, and lack of support have led to three in five American employees reporting negative impacts of work-related stress.
Even social media and the news—for all the help it’s given to many—can be detrimental to mental health. Switching off from these stressors is necessary for living a more peace-filled life, and there are many ways to go about it.
Why switching off is essential to daily life
In our noisy culture, we often don’t get to understand the extent of our stress—which can eventually lead to us getting sick in the long run. Coping with stress and anxiety requires you to recognize exactly what you’re dealing with in the first place. Stress can come from many different sources and manifest itself in various ways. Switching off can allow you to reflect on yourself and your situation so you can find a way to handle it and provide you some time to relax from the busy nature of life. Without this pause, one could run the risk of ruining their mental and physical health.
You can switch off many ways, and it’s important to find the best method for you and your lifestyle. Here are a few ways to do so:
Disconnect from technology
Much of our lives are now intertwined with technology and the Internet, and though these things can be helpful in many ways, being connected to them all the time can be emotionally and mentally draining. In 2021, 31% of U.S. adults reported going online almost constantly. The constant notifications from texts, work, social media, or news sites can get overwhelming.
Try to stay away from the screens for an hour or two. Pause work-related notifications, too, so you can leave the office behind while you’re trying to unwind. Take this time to spend time with your family or friends or to pamper and care for yourself.
Find an enjoyable hobby
When trying to switch off, you may start to get worried about not spending your free time wisely, and you might feel guilty about a lack of productivity. If you want to keep yourself busy without stressing out, find a hobby you can really get engaged with. It can be painting, pottery, crocheting, or any other pastime that you can do to keep yourself occupied while having fun or staying relaxed.
If you want to try a new hobby, be kind and patient with yourself. Focus on taking it slow, and enjoy your time with yourself or others. Try to find a hobby that doesn't need you to be online as well, so you can further be immersed in your task.
Practice meditation
In such a hectic world, it is essential to get away from it all. Meditation is a great way to find relief and healing from anxiety amidst the chaos. There are various ways to go about it, but one method that has been known to provide a lot of peace is the practice of sound bathing. Immersing yourself in the sounds of various calming instruments and sounds has immense healing properties for the mind and brain. Even one’s physical health can benefit from a sound bath, and the relaxed state you are in during one can bring long-term relief in every aspect of life.
Sound bathing can give you a chance to heal from your worries and trauma. If you want to know more about it, you can reach out to us at Delamora Transformational Experiences to find out how you can be a part of a session or read more tips on embracing a mindful approach to life through sound bathing here.