Disconnect to Reconnect

Maybe you’ve heard this before. But if it’s been a minute, here’s a brief reminder: one of the best things you can do for yourself is to disconnect — from your devices, your social feeds, your obligations, and your expectations — even if only for a little while.

Here’s why it matters more than it might seem. Being constantly reachable keeps your nervous system in a low-grade state of alert. You’re always on call, always ready to respond, and always geared up to perform. Your body can’t distinguish between an urgent notification and an actual threat, which keeps your body tense and your mind rapid. Stepping away, even briefly, is what allows your nervous system to finally stand down.

Disconnecting from the noise of the external world doesn’t mean losing what’s important. It is in fact the recipe for deepening your relationships to those you care for and being present to the events in your life that you care about. When your attention isn’t split, you are attentive to the needs of those around you and can feel supported by the people who care about you. And it’s much easier to see the beauty and magic of ordinary moments when your mind isn’t focused on the next box on the checklist.

You don’t have to take a retreat or even a day off from work. Disconnecting can be as simple as an hour with your phone in another room, a walk without a podcast in your ears, or one evening a week with no notifications at all. Start with whatever is realistic, because the pause itself is more important than the length.

Don’t let the stress you feel and the mile-high plate you’re served each day be the means to stop you from taking a break. Everyone needs to every so often, no matter how packed their life is. Don’t be so hard on yourself and give yourself the chance to breathe. You deserve it.