WW: Switching off
Weekly Wellbeing: Switching off!
Hello lovelies! It's Weekly Wellbeing time!
Something I think we're all pretty aware of at the best of times is how much we use technology. But with many of us having made the transition to spending more time at home, it's safe to say we're using phones and computers a whole lot more!
This means that we're able to stay in contact with one another and carry out a lot of our daily lives at a distance, which is awesome! 😄
But by the same token that's a tonne of screen time! (hello extra headaches!)
It's also very hard to avoid news/information when we're not in the right headspace to engage with it. 
It's important to remember to take frequent breaks and give our eyes and brains a break! And why not do something fun in that time! Listening to music, reading a book, going for a walk, or even cooking - they're all ways of chilling out that mean you can jump back online feeling a bit fresher!
Do you guys find that you're using technology more nowadays? Do you ever feel the need to switch off for a bit?
What are some fun wellbeing activities that you can squeeze into a short break to give yourself some space from technology/social media? 🙂
Comments
Great topic! I think it's safe to say that optometrists will be in business forever with the way the world is going with technology! There's going to be so many people with eye problems 🙃
Do you guys find that you're using technology more nowadays? Do you ever feel the need to switch off for a bit?
I am definately using technology a lot more at the moment! Like all students out there, uni has switched to being online so all my face to face class time is now spent staring at a screen and I HATE it!!! I'm also catching myself mindlessly scrolling social media (sometimes for hours) because I'm so bored. I banned myself from social media before all this COVID19 stuff and loved it! I actually didn't miss it at all. But now I'm struggling to not use it for some reason. I keep trying to not go on FB or whatever but I always seem to cave. I definately need to switch off again so if anyone has some suggestions on how I can do that I'd love to hear! Cause atm I feel like I'm becomming addicted to it and I hate that 😔
What are some fun wellbeing activities that you can squeeze into a short break to give yourself some space from technology/social media?
I have done some baking a few times and found myself really enjoying that! I was still using technology to play music but there was no screen time and it was great. I also spent a day shopping for plants and then repotting them which I really enjoyed. And reading, I've read a couple of books during these virus times.
This popped up in my feed just before on FB and was a little reminder that I thought was so appropriate to share on here 😊
Do you guys find that you're using technology more nowadays? Do you ever feel the need to switch off for a bit?
Definitely!! Firstly, uni being online is definitely making me use my laptop more. That in addition to generally being more bored since we can't go out as much as we used to is really making screen time overkill. I feel like everyone needs some time away from technology, especially nowadays. My eyes also get tired a lot quicker and it's making study more difficult, but I'm managing.
What are some fun wellbeing activities that you can squeeze into a short break to give yourself some space from technology/social media?
I always love going on a quick walk around the neighbourhood because fresh air makes me feel refreshed the quickest. Either that or I'll do a quick 10 minutes exercise to get blood pumping and feel less sluggish after hours of being on my laptop for uni and studying.
How's everyone else doing?
Love this topic - I have definitely been having some screen fatigue lately, and I've been making a big effort to get out of the house and do things that recharge my batteries whenever possible.
Do you guys find that you're using technology more nowadays? Do you ever feel the need to switch off for a bit?
Most definitely! We moved our TV out of our main living area when we moved house a few years ago and it's been a really positive thing for our family - we don't end up just mindlessly watching TV anymore, and usually when we do watch something it's a movie or something we've all planned on watching together. I also try and put my phone away in a drawer a few times on the weekend and have screen-free time with my family -we've started to play more board games, and have been reading more actual books.
What are some fun wellbeing activities that you can squeeze into a short break to give yourself some space from technology/social media
I recently got a national parks pass so have been trying to explore as many pretty places near us as possible - getting out into nature recharges my batteries in a way that nothing else can. When I'm short on time I also really like going for a quick walk like @ayrc_1904 , fresh air and some exercise is usually the fastest way to wake myself up! I hate that sluggish feeling that you get after too much screen time, especially when it's cold outside. We've also been doing a lot more cooking and baking at home, I made a pulled pork that I cooked for 15 hours on the weekend, and it was amazing soul food 🙂
Sounds great @Saltwaterdreamtime , my partner is American and makes a killer brisket! Do you mean making haloumi from scratch? That sounds like an awesome skill to have! I love haloumi - but yes, it is super salty.
The halloumi is pretty good and it’s not too hard to make, just look it up online.
We’ve had a few trial and error with both but we’ve pretty much mastered the halloumi, the brisket needs a bit more work to be up to my high standards but it’s not bad.
@Saltwaterdreamtime and @Janine-RO those sound so yummy! Halloumi is the best cheese 😄 I'm so impressed you cooked the pork for 15 hours! So much patience 
@ayrc_1904 definitely agree! sometimes a walk around the block is so restorative for your mind and body 😄 It's my saving grace for a bad mood as well tbh haha
@MB95 love love that pic! thank you for sharing! What have you been reading lately?
Thanks @ecla34, I'm glad you liked it! I thought it was appropriate for the thread 😊
So I've just finished reading two self-help kinda books I guess you could call them? Idk. One was called 'Reasons to stay alive' and the other was called 'Unfuck yourself' lol I guess the titles kinda say it all 😂 But just been struggling and thought maybe reading some books might help. They were great - but I did find I had to be in a more positive mind set to read them and make any use of them. Unfuck yourself did kinda motivate me to take action so to speak. It kinda spoke to me one day and motivated me to go for a walk/run and conquer a fear of mine. Was a great feeling! Can't say it worked wonders cause I haven't done it since but it was a good book to try and get me to see my thoughts as just being thoughts..
Do you guys find that you're using technology more nowadays? Do you ever feel the need to switch off for a bit?
I definitely do feel like I'm using technology more these days but then again I do use it a lot almost every single day. I haven't really felt the need to switch off for a bit although it would probably be a good challenge and change of pace to try have a day where I don't use any technology. Sometimes I do experience that "screen fatigue" after using my laptop or playing games for a while though so it would be good to just switch off for a bit during those situations.
What are some fun wellbeing activities that you can squeeze into a short break to give yourself some space from technology/social media?
Sometimes when I feel tired what I like to do is just close my eyes and stretch my body for a short while. Although it's quite simple, I think it really helps me take a break and relax myself. Other activities I also squeeze in are quick piano playing sessions and cleaning up my room!
Do you guys find that you're using technology more nowadays? Do you ever feel the need to switch off for a bit?
I feel like I'm using technology more to stay in touch with people, such as through social media, emails and video chats. I have also been using technology to read or watch news. Because my family members are spending more time at home, they are often having online meetings or watching TV. @Saltwaterdreamtime I like your ideas about limiting times when the TV is on! Like you, I also get symptoms and fatigue when I spend long periods of time doing work or watching/playing something on a screen. Sometimes, I have to lie down with my eyes closed, sometimes in a dark room.
What are some fun wellbeing activities that you can squeeze into a short break to give yourself some space from technology/social media?
I have been writing notes and journal entries down on paper to help me unwind and take a break from technology.
I have also been reading and listening to books I've been meaning to read to give my eyes a rest. I found a lot of old books around the house that I'd forgotten about.
We have also been getting out the board games in between the video game sessions. I got a new one this week but we haven't played it yet.
I'd also like to spend more time doing and making creative things. I got some supplies recently but I haven't had the chance to use them.
@Bre-RO I like your idea about going outside! I love going on walks and taking photos of things I find in nature. I also tend to notice new things in my surroundings if I'm just going somewhere for fun rather than for a specific purpose.
Yep, both my partner and I like to call it “screen fatigue” and everyone in this house has caught it.
We’ve now made more of an effort to have screen free time.
Like most households, the TV is just on in the background, or maybe that’s just us. We’ve switched to keeping it off until someone asks or there is a particular thing on, or the little one is drinking us mad. For example, unless things are super hectic here and we need someone to just chill out, we don’t turn the tv on, it’s not our go to morning thing anymore, get up, turn the tv on.
Even though none of us actually sat in front of it for long periods often, it was very easy to do that when it was already on. We might do a puzzle, go for a walk, backyard chalk, we don’t even ask about it anymore it’s become a part of our routine to NOT have it on. Also exposure to the news etc, that can’t be good for you. It wasn’t difficult to do. We put it the tv on in the afternoon sometimes and a little at night.
I found myself really struggling to wind down at night. Constant headache, sore eyes, waking up tired. This is honestly the latest I have been online lately.
but yep screen fatigue is a very real thing and I’m very glad I don’t have a job that relys me to be on a computer screen all day
I only just realised I said “drinking us mad” and that is DEFINITELY not what I meant, I meant driving... oh god.
100% feeling the screen fatigue - I like that term. Good on you and your partner for making some adjustments to tv time @Saltwaterdreamtime
1. I have really been feeling a massive pull away from screens. Usually I enjoy connecting with friends online but these days I'm really reflecting on the value of in person connection.
2. Spending time outside has become very precious to me recently. Whether it's being in the ocean or sitting in the sun, I feel a physical change in my body and energy. Going outside even if it's just for 5 minutes to listen to some music, read or day dream is a nice way to break from screens.
