Good Stuffs to read daily: The Incredible Benefits of Switching Off Your Phone and Going Outside

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In today’s digital age, it’s increasingly difficult to get away from technology. Many of us are hopelessly addicted to our phones, with research showing that the average person touches their phone 2600 times in a single day. But if you want to be your best and most motivated self, this habit could be more of a problem than you think.

The Problem with Excessive Screen Time

All this staring at screens is not doing our mental health, productivity, or focus levels any good. In fact, 73% of people believe that their smartphones increase their stress levels. It’s also pretty obvious that phones are incredibly distracting – it’s all too tempting to stop what you’re doing to get the instant gratification of scrolling through Facebook or checking that WhatsApp message. Too much screen time has also been linked with a whole range of physical health problems, including vision deterioration, insomnia, and increased risk of serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. What’s more, as we spend more time using technology, we inevitably also spend way more time indoors. Many people spend all day working at computers in their office jobs, only to then go home and spend even more time looking at screens – whether that’s using social media, watching Netflix, or playing video games. The end result is that we now spend as much as 92% of the day indoors. This is a worrying statistic, as spending time outdoors is essential for good physical and mental health.

Why You Should Take a Digital Detox & Go Outside

Digital detoxes are a set period of time where you stop using technology like smartphones and computers. This doesn’t mean giving up your phone forever – it might just be one day a week where you disconnect from the online world and focus on being fully present in your life. A digital detox is a fantastic opportunity to get outside and explore the great outdoors without distraction. Studies have shown that spending time in nature has incredible rejuvenating effects on both our bodies and minds. These include:

Improved sleep quality
Boosted immune system
Lowered blood pressure
Increased energy levels
Reduced stress
Enhanced mood
Higher creativity
Better memory and improved attention span

If you’d like to learn more about these health benefits, just take a look at the infographic below created by PatioAwnings4Less. They’ve compiled all the essential statistics and facts you’ll need to motivate you to put down your phone and step outside!