Imagine that you take part in an experiment, which requires from you to stay offline for one whole day. It’s hard to imagine it, right? We all are addicted to Internet and to social media, which takes much of our time every day. If you try, however, to put down your phone, you will become more involved with the real world. By eliminating all that distracting information from the web, you will become more focused on the important things in your life, you will stimulate your creativity and improve your health and relationships. Let’s discuss now the benefits of being offline for one whole day.
Meet a Friend
Instead of scrolling on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and giving your likes on posts of online friends you have not seen for years, or you have never seen before, you can just call your good old friend and see him for a face-to-face conversation. According to scientific studies, we connect on a deeper level when we converse with others personally. Social media is an easy and convenient way of communicating, but it reduces the quality of the connection. And let’s be honest, exchanging a smile with a real person is much more exciting than exchanging emoji or likes.
Pick up a Hobby
When we read emails and articles on web sites, make status updates or watch video, we excessively consume information, which limits our creativity. Some studies show that excessive consumption of information hinders our creativity as it causes decision fatigue and is harmful to our attention spans. If you are offline, you will clear your mind and will realise that there is a lot of extra time that you can use to rediscover a long-lost hobby. Remember what you liked to do as a child. Perhaps you had a passion for painting, playing guitar or singing. Don’t procrastinate, use your one day offline to start again and enjoy the pleasure of creativity. It will be then much easier for you to continue.
Take a Trip in the Countryside
Another source of great pleasure and inspiration is the contact with nature. Take advantage of your day offline and make a trip in the countryside. You can go hiking on some long-distance footpath or cycling on quiet country roads, or just go by car and make a picnic. Take a friend and make your trip even more funny and exciting. Scientists have shown that the interaction with nature boosts memory and concentration levels. Just 1 hour of hiking in the countryside increases the brain’s performance by one fifth. In contrast, a walk through busy streets has no benefits on the brain at all.
Read a Book
When did you last read a book? Instead of scrolling on social media and reading random articles and posts, pick up a book by a favourite author and immerse yourself in his imaginative world. Apart from being a great source of entertainment and relaxation, reading can boost your brain power. In the same way as going for a jogging exercises your cardiovascular system, reading gives your brain a good work-out, thus improving your memory function, analytical skills, focus and concentration.
It doesn’t look scary, right? So, why don’t you try to forget about online posts, chats and status updates for just one day. Reclaim your time and do all the things for which you did not have time before. Be in the real life and enjoy the benefits of better relationships with others, of being more creative, healthier and happier.