Take a Digital Detox
Consider a ‘Digital Detox’! I know it sounds scary and almost ridiculous by today’s standards but have you ever taken notice of how much time you spend each day on social media, email and the internet? I mean, have you really taken notice?
So here’s the tip: Give yourself a digital detox one day a week, on a Saturday or Sunday may be best. Just one day a week, cut back on your digital devices and social media! Don’t check your emails on the weekend and after 5pm/6pm each night. For one day on the weekend, switch off ... completely!
Turn your back on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and focus on the real people you share your life with every day, just for one day a week!
I try not to check my email over the weekend. I figure that if someone really needs me urgently they’ll send me a text or try to call. The time ‘saving’ is huge, as my working life is conducted almost 99% by email. Steering clear of email over the weekend is fantastic, I feel as if I have my life back.
Limit your use of social media on one day of each weekend and you’ll be amazed at the number of hours you get back into your life.
Use the time for a better purpose, such as spending time with loved ones (why not actually go and enjoy something that you can all talk about later!), catch up with friends, read a book, go for a walk, or enjoy an exercise session. Actually live and enjoy life for at least a day each week and you won’t look back.
People can literally be frightened of missing out if they go ‘offline’ for a day, but I assure you, it’s a great thing and one that will give you literally hours of your life back.
Once you’re feeling recharged and refreshed, you’ll be ready to re-join your digital world but will feel so much better after the rest and time out. Your eyes, back, and neck will thank you for it.
There’s nothing worse than not being able to communicate with someone because they constantly have their headphones on. The importance of connection is huge, so bear that in mind. It’s great to listen to music and watch videos or clips but make sure that people can sometimes talk to you and hold a conversation.
Smartphones are an additional, permanent appendage for most of us these days. Apparently, 33% of people aged under 30 would rather have access to their phone than have sex (and I’m sure this will have increased since I have written down) and we check our phones on average at least 1,500 times per week. Clearly we are obsessed!
And this obsession will continue to grow, but again remember that it’s okay to take a break. We don’t always need to be contactable and accessible. We don’t always need to know exactly what is happening everywhere instantly.
Downtime from our mobile devices is vital for our health, our wellbeing, and our minds. Just a little time out will make all the difference.
We do live in a virtual world but humans also lust after connection. After all, that’s what we are really chasing with our obsession with our devices, connecting, but in a different way.
However, it’s important not to forget the value in ‘real’ connections that are tangible, meaningful, and fulfil a much greater need that our digital devices ever can.
A digital detox is just what the doctor ordered. It will give you time to think about what’s important to you, time to think of new thoughts and ideas, and time to rejuvenate and regroup.
Have a Life Outside of Your Business
For many years I was a bit of a workaholic, and many would say that I still am, although I know that I have become better and a little more removed as I’ve gotten older. When you absolutely love what you do, it’s easy to throw yourself 100% into your work or business.
When you are passionate about your work, truly passionate, things also tend to snowball quite quickly; you will gain momentum and grow very quickly as people will naturally want to do business with you.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement, which is fantastic by the way, but it is also vital to take time out and step away to focus on other interests, hobbies, family, and friends.
Don’t allow your business or work, even if it is a great passion of yours, to dominate your existence, shutting out all the other good stuff that life has to offer.
Relationships are a vital part of human life. Not only are they wanted, they are needed! Humans thrive on human connection, love, and feeling valid.
Relationships with our partners, children, parents, extended family, and friends are so important, and yet when we are busy, they are often the first thing we neglect.
Make sure you focus on and nurture your relationships; make them your first and foremost priority, second only to working on the relationship that you have with yourself.
Ensure you take time out for you and enjoy other interests and hobbies. Enjoy exercise, take up yoga, go ten pin bowling, or go hiking.
Any form of exercise is uplifting and will improve your body and mind. Perhaps cooking, reading, going to the spa, getting your nails done, or going shopping may be your thing.
Whatever you enjoy doing in your own time, make sure you prioritise some of your time to enjoying these activities on a regular basis.
A rested mind is a clear mind. An active body is a healthy body. We all thrive on connecting to our loved ones, pursuing our personal goals, taking holidays, and enjoying time out. Take time out to smell the roses, refresh, and rejuvenate.
Don’t be a slave to your work or business no matter how much you love it. You’ll actually end up feeling happier, bursting with ideas, and ready for action when you return from a little bit of downtime. This is a ‘win-win’ for everyone concerned and also for all aspects of your life.
This is an extract taken from Zoë Spark’s latest business book – Healthy & Wealthy – 100 tips to ensure YOU & Your Business are Performing at Their Best. For more information, check out
www.zoesparks.com or email info@zoesparks.com
