Tomorrow is National Unplug Day. It’s fun to have a “National (fill in the blank) Day”, but you can choose to take an unplug day any time you’re feeling:
- Overwhelmed
- Tired
- Out of energy
- Uncreative
- Overcommitted
- Caught in FOMO
- Fill in your own blank
I have family in town for the weekend, so I’ll definitely be taking advantage of an unplug day to focus on spending time with them. But I thought I’d share some ideas for how and ways you can unplug tomorrow or any day.
how to Unplug
- Put away your devices. This may be the hardest. And, if your cell phone is your only phone, it may not be feasible. But maybe you could choose to not take your devices with you for a little while. Or, you could put them in another room. As the old saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.”
- Turn off notifications. If you can’t be without your phone or your smartwatch or the like, you can turn off notifications. You’d be surprised how much less time you spend on your phone just by turning off notifications. Try it for 15 minutes, half an hour, or (go really crazy) the whole day.
- Put your phone in airplane mode. Similar to turning off notifications, putting your phone in airplane mode will essentially disconnect you from the WiFi-connected world. If you use your tablet as an e-reader, putting it in airplane mode will ensure you can read in peace without being disrupted by social media, email, or news alerts.
- Delete your social media apps. I know, I know, this one might be crazy. If you’re planning to unplug for just a couple of hours or one day, maybe deleting apps isn’t necessary. But if you’re taking a few days to unwind, deleting apps could be just the ticket to help you get more relaxed. You may even consider doing this for your email, news apps, or any other app that could intrude on your relaxation.
ways to Unplug
- Go for an extended walk. Now that spring is in the air, we are getting a few warmer days. Put on a light jacket and soak up the sun on those days. A lot of people would say to walk in silence. If that’s you, go for it. I do like to have a podcast or a book playing when I walk. If you’re going to listen to something, I would suggest something light and not related to work.
- Meditate. Meditation isn’t something I practice often, or truly understand. My friend, Cherie, introduced me to the Daily Still podcast, which is a Christian meditation podcast. I have been using it this year and it truly does help to calm me. Apps like Calm also have some great meditations in a range of lengths. Getting still is a surefire way to unwind.
- Hang out with your people. Whether this is family, friends, or a mix of both, being with your people is a fun way to unplug (COVID-safe, of course). You can play games, watch a movie or even invite them on a walk or bike ride with you. Being with people lifts the soul!
- Read. Aside from making you smarter, reading is also a good way to relax. Even if you’ve been super excited about reading the latest release on how to become the absolute best in your field, this is not the time to read that book. Go for something easier, something funny, or something related to a hobby or interest you have.
Hopefully, these have sparked some ideas in you for how you can unplug. Get out your calendar today and schedule some time to unplug in the next week – even if it’s just for an hour. Share how you’ll be using your unplugged time.