Today is #InternationalWellbeingWednesday and this years theme is Disconnect to Reconnect   

Today is International Wellbeing Wednesday and this year’s theme is Disconnect to Reconnect. We live in a time where we are more connected than ever before, but yet life in our digitally switched on age is extremely stressful. According to a report by Ofcom we now spend on average 24 hours a week online, which is twice as long as 10 years ago.

Why Disconnect to Reconnect?

• 61% admit to being addicted to the internet and their devices
• The average Brit spends a day a week online
• One in five adults spends as much as 40 hours a week on the web
• 50% of people prefer to communicate digitally than in person
• The average person checks their phone 150 times a day
• 95% of people use some type of electronics in the hour leading up to bed
• 1/3 of the global population has access to the internet

The constant interruptions that technology can bring to our life, inevitably is starting to take a toll on our wellbeing and our relationships. This is why this International Wellbeing day we are encouraging people to tune out to tune back in to themselves and their environment. Take a moment to disconnect so you can reconnect.

How to Disconnect to Reconnect

Technology can be a positive in our lives, but like anything, in needs to be used in moderation. Nothing can replace the importance of real-life social interaction, and putting our technology away can help encourage that, along with other healthy habits.

If you’re looking to cut down on your technology use in a balanced way, consider these five healthy ways to disconnect.

1. Create designated “Digital Detox” Times

If you are struggling to turn off and tune out then we would suggest you set aside a specific time of the day when you will go tech free. If you think you are going to struggle to remember to do this, set yourself an alarm as reminder and then put the phone, laptop, ipad etc away or switch of the TV.

2. Turn off all push notifications

We have all been there, you get a push notification and it distracts your train of thought. Turn off all your push notifications from email, messages, whatsapp and social media. This will not only limit the distractions, it will also save your  battery and lots of wasted time. By turning off the notifications you will also notice that you are more efficient at the work and jobs you are doing so you will be effectively making better use of your time at work and at home.

3. Put the phone away at work

We recommend putting the phone away at work.  Sometimes just looking at your phone can distract you and it is tempting to pick it up and check it for the 100^th time that day. Put it in a draw and you get it out again at lunchtime or the end of the day if you really want to minimise distractions whilst you are at work.

4. Get active

The simplest way to disconnect if to get active and add activities to your life that are impossible to do with a digital device. This could be swimming, cycling, yoga, skiing, anything that gets you out and about. By doing this, not only will you lose the tech but your body, mind and spirit will reap the benefits.

5. Shut Down At Bed Time

Eliminate the gadgets for an hour after you wake up and an hour before you go to bed. The first hour of the day you can use to set your own plans and determine how you want your day to go. Set yourself a to-do list, do something for yourself or simply spend time with the children before they go to school, but use the time to connect. The last hour of the day should also be tech free, as you prepare your body and mind to rest. Blue light has been proven to disrupt sleep so by banishing the phone you will also improve your sleep quality – win-win.

We are not saying you need to cut off from technology completely – it has bought huge benefits and opportunities to our everyday lives. This is about making simple and conscious efforts to disconnect where you can, in order to bring about a positive change on your wellbeing.

Click below to take our Individual Stress Test for some extra tips on your wellbeing!