Balance: Staying in Touch with Spirituality in the Age of Technology

While most forms of social media were created to communicate, there is no denying that we are becoming increasingly disconnected from each other and the world around us. For so many of us, our jobs require that we remain connected electronically for the majority of our day, and many of us even find that we are unable to disconnect during our ‘free time’ as notifications pour in via multiple channels. For even more of us, our electronic devices are necessary as our friends and family migrate to all corners of the earth, and communication via Skype, Whatsapp and Facebook are crucial to feeling ‘connected’. Our time and energy is become more and more dispersed as our community becomes more spread out, and it’s becoming harder to justify eliminating electronic communication and activity as it demands our attention in so many different ways. It’s becoming harder and harder to restore balance to our lives as more and more of our time becomes spent online.

The result of this is that we are often left feeling bombarded and restless, anxious and highly-strung, as we are never able to fully ‘switch-off’. Every person needs to figure out their limits for themselves and to find the balance that works for them, but it is undeniable that having quiet time set aside to connect to something other than your PC or cellphone is absolutely critical for your emotional, mental and spiritual health.

Set Limits

In the same way you designate time for meals, exercise, work, sleep and recreation, it is important that you set similar boundaries for your technological habits. Limit the amount of time you spend on devices and ban them from certain rooms in your home. You might want to make the bedroom a ‘social-media free zone’, or may simply want to limit your activity online after a certain time of day. If possible, for every hour spent connected to an electronic device, balance it out with an hour spent doing something else.

Unplug

Try and remove yourself from the devices you have come to rely on. As much as possible, get into nature, whether for a quick walk, a weekend or an entire holiday and turn off your phone during these times. If you’re not able to get away, just switch off your phone and close your laptop, even for a few hours. Try something different: make one evening a week an ‘electronic-free’ evening and read a book or play board games with friends and family. If you’re engaging in an every day task such as cooking or cleaning, try and do this without checking your phone compulsively, or without the television on in the background. Learn how to just ‘BE’ and enjoy the process of whatever you’re doing; learn to clear your mind and find comfort in tasks that take you away from the noise of every day life.

Engage in Non-Electronic Activities

Try making time for hobbies that take you away and help you to shut-down and relax, free from the sounds of reminders and notifications. Exercise is one of the best ways to do this: whether it’s yoga, running, swimming or hiking, do something that clears your mind and invigorates you. Some studies indicate that a dependency on electronic media and devices can hinder creativity. Keep your spark alive by doing something creative like painting or sculpting. If you don’t consider yourself ‘artsy’, try building or making something: DIY is a great outlet for creative energy. And let’s face it: finally taking the time to paint those shelves or make that table feels a lot more satisfying than a ‘Like’ on Facebook.