Tips for a tech-free holiday

Risingbd Desk: A vacation where you`re disconnected from the rest of the world is a great way to beat stress.

While the idea of this may fill you with dread, the best evidence of the benefits of a digital detox come from feeling truly relaxed. No beeping, no pinging, and no incessant demands — for however long you choose. Experts believe technology is making us more impatient, forgetful and narcissistic. It`s even changing the way we sleep, leaving our brains too wired to get a decent break. A recent survey conducted abroad showed that 34% of the respondents felt so overwhelmed by technology that they felt the need to escape from it.

The same could be true for some of us as well. Here are a few suggestions for when you need to give yourself some downtime:

- Be sure to create an out-of-office reply beforehand for your emails, during the time you are away from the office.
- Make a conscious effort to not look at your phone every few minutes in anticipation of a new mail or a social network message notification. Consider turning off your data services for most of the day and use your phone for just the basic functions.

- Unless it`s really necessary, consider leaving your phone behind in your room for short periods while you are holidaying. You do not need your phone to be at arm`s reach when you are lounging by a pool or having breakfast in your hotel restaurant, for example.

Source: TOI

risingbd/ Dec 28, 2014/ Mukul/ Mahfuz