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Five Ways To Take A Step Away From Our Virtual Worlds
Do you ever find yourself doom-scrolling through Facebook or Twitter? Or maybe you’ve spent way too much time on the discovery page on Instagram. And don’t even get us started on the endless videos on Tik Tok. Either way, humans spend more time indoors and on screens than ever before. We spend most of our time on laptops then watch TV or lose ourselves in social media during our lunch breaks. We even think getting on social media is “taking a break”. Going from one screen to the next isn’t healthy for our eyes, brains and even our souls, so what can we do to completely disconnect from our beloved virtual world?
Wherever you live, there are ways to disconnect from screens completely, even if only for a little while. We know that spending significant time in nature reduces stress levels, helps with anxiety, can help facilitate inner peace and self-confidence, and even help develop children’s brains. But what if you live in an area with limited access to nature? Keep reading below for some ideas on ways to disconnect from phones, tablets and laptops. Learn why nature makes us feel so good with Liz Calbrese on What is Biophilia: The Innate Love of All Living Things.
One of the best ways to step away from screens and electronics is scheduling a weekly class to take either by yourself, with a friend or loved one. Have you every thought about learning something new, or stepping back into a hobby you once loved? Schedule in weekly, dedicated time for some sort of class - it could be yoga or any type of fitness class (think cycling, Zumba, Crossfit or PureBarre), maybe an art class or cooking class, whatever you’d like. This is a great way to disconnect while learning something and spending quality time with other people. Before you know it, this could be your favorite part of the week. Hear from Serenbe’s own yoga guru Heather Ruth of Serenbe Yoga and how she “Found Peace in Nature”.
Taking time to give back to your community is a healthy and beneficial way to step away from screens (and get out of the house). Gather a group of friends and volunteer at your local food shelter, Farmers Market, arts center, community garden or neighborhood farm, or Habitat for Humanity. With a quick and easy Google search, you can find plenty of volunteer opportunities to take advantage of. And if you’re in the Atlanta area and need some inspiration, the AJC put together this list of Best Place for Atlanta Young People to Volunteer. Serenbe Farms offers volunteer opportunities on the farm, so be sure to check that out as well
It’s no secret that gardening really blossomed this year due to Covid-19. Jeff Tkach of Rodale Institute shares how Organic Agriculture is the Future on Biophilic Solutions and talks about how with everyone being at home, motivation for growing their own food has been at an all-time high. Let’s keep that momentum going by putting down that Iphone and picking up some gloves and a shovel to start your at-home garden. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of growing your own vegetables, herbs or even just maintaining some houseplants, or maybe you’ve never even thought of starting a garden. Either way, starting a garden is a great way to reconnect with yourself and the Earth. Just be careful with Googling tips - maybe purchase a gardening book instead.
Humans have an innate tendency to connect with all living systems (otherwise known as biophilia). Sure, we all love a funny cat video or cute puppy photo when scrolling through social media. But why not spend time with real, living animals to increase your serotonin levels? If you’re unable to have a pet yourself, there are tons of ways to connect with animals outside of Instagram. For those in the area or planning a visit, Serenbe offers Goat Yoga classes, trail riding and even has a full animal village where Inn guests can interact and feed the goats, chickens, pigs and sheep! And if you’re in a more urban area, check out your local cat café’s, dog parks or animal shelters. Those furry friends could always use some visitors. Another idea is to offer a friend some help with their pet. Maybe join them on a walk or offer to pet-sit if they’re out of town. You may make a new furry friend. Listen to Richard Louv talk about “Reconnecting to Nature & Animals” in our January 2020 interview on Serenbe Stories. TIME IN NATURE
The best way to reconnect with yourself while disconnecting from screens is spending time in nature. This can be done in many ways, from eating your lunch outside to scheduling a week-long camping trip. What’s important is scheduling that time intentionally into your schedule. Maybe you start by eating all your meals outside on your porch or scheduling a picnic in the park. Try this and see how you feel. If you are able to fit weekly or monthly time in nature in, that’s a bonus. Dedicate your weekends to outdoor yoga, hiking local trails or even planning a monthly camping trip in your state. However you’re able to fit in more time outside, the better you’ll feel. While you're outside pick up Florence Williams book “The Nature Fix” or listen to the podcast interview from December 2020.