There is something very unnatural with the cultural obsession to have to be\u00a0connected\u00a024\/7. Whether texting buddies while out on a date, IM\u2019ing during the work day, or walking down the street with cell phone glued to the ear, people have been suckered into the belief that being reachable and\u00a0connected\u00a0all the time is normal and healthy. If asked, very few people would say, \u201cYou know, I have just too little going on in my life. I really need more stuff to pack into my waking hours.\u201d Most people are in a state of auto-complain about the fact (or fiction) that they have too little time and waaaaay too much to do. They are busy. Oh, so very busy.<\/p>\n
But, busy doing what?<\/p>\n
They are busy, either directly or indirectly, connecting with other people to answer questions, ask questions, go to or come from meetings, get ready, make arrangements, cancel arrangements, plan to go, go to plan, write, erase, talk, listen, make, fake, or bake, or pack 10 lbs. of stuff into a 6 lb. bag. While time spent with others, most of the time, is fulfilling and fundamental to wellness as social beings, the connection overdose<\/strong> is hazardous to one\u2019s health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The cultural drive to be connected is one of the root of causes of mental and emotional distress.<\/p>\n What do stress reduction<\/strong> experts<\/strong> — yes, there are such people \u2013 always put in the \u201ctop three\u201d<\/strong> list to relax<\/strong> and settle down? Be alone. Yes, disconnect<\/strong> from people and just spend some time with yourself. These experts know the importance of being alone and taking time to listen to music without a purpose or deadline, watch a funny movie without critique, spend some quality time in meditation or prayer, read a fantastic book that will absorb you and take you to another place and time, or go for a long slow walk allowing you to settle into yourself.<\/p>\n What has interrupted the Saturday afternoons spent sitting on the front porch enjoying a cold glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade? The cell phone<\/strong>, of course.<\/p>\n Do your mind, body and spirit a big favor \u2013 disconnect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n S\u00b2 Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n Make time everyday to turn off all technological forms of connection and just \u201cbe\u201d.<\/p>\n In Another\u2019s Words\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n “As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”<\/p>\n — Henry David Thoreau, Author, Philosopher<\/p>\n Related Articles:<\/p>\n Stress Management: How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress<\/a><\/p>\n Stress Relievers- 25 Stress Relievers to Try<\/a><\/p>\n Relaxation techniques: Learn ways to reduce your stress<\/a><\/p>\n