Find a Hobby That Gets You Carried Away From Your Smartphone
Every day I try to do at least one activity that is both fun and does not require the use of a smartphone, and if it is social, it’s a bonus. Sometimes these are group lessons at the YMCA. Sometimes it’s a choir rehearsal. Sometimes it’s as easy as spending an hour reading a paper book.
It has always amazed me how quickly my mind calms down when it’s not looking at the screen. Even though I’ve already adapted both my phone and laptop to eliminate notifications, noises, and more, it’s like peeking into a portal with endless possibilities (which comes with an extra order of endless requirements) and it’s nice to limit those possibilities. to a book, music or group in which we constantly work on the lower abdomen.
I’m not the only person actively looking for activities that require me to install various devices. As Inc. Minali Chatani, co-founder of the pet lifestyle brand Wild One :
I am the first to admit that I am a workaholic. When launching a startup and moving from video conferencing, emails, texts, photo shoots to other emails, it can sometimes feel like I’m falling into this continuous internet-driven work cycle. Choosing an activity that makes you disconnect and be more present can be very helpful at the end of a chaotic day.
Having a non-work hobby or activity that disconnects you from your smartphone and connects you to your body, other people, and / or the natural world is also a great way to prevent burnout. Yes, sometimes work and life can be so exciting that the thought of squeezing into a run, exercise class, or choir rehearsal becomes unbearable, but I’ve found that I always feel better after returning from one of these. types of activities. They rejuvenate, perhaps because they ask me to be present in a physical space, not a technological one.
Plus, having a hobby that allows you to regularly interact with other people is a great way to form friendships at low stakes.
So if you don’t have a hobby that actively engages you with something other than the device, it might be time to get one. There is cooking, knitting, bird watching, weightlifting, singing, dancing, board games (although you have to be very careful to do board activities with your eyes on your phone), family walks in the afternoon, hiking with friends on Saturday in the morning, basically anything you can think of puts you in a different time in the present – and after the hobby is over, leaves you relaxed.
And if someone might need to contact you at this time, you can always ask him to call your phone twice in a row.