10 Effects of Being Unplugged, Bored and Dirty

When was the last time you were unplugged for a few days or even a few hours?

Modern technology like the iPhone, iPod and iPad make keeping up a lot easier and perhaps, even possible. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing?

Unfortunately, living in the “i” generation can interfere with the opportunities for family bonding, optimal health, and sustained happiness. Ironically, the “i” in iGeneration is reflective of our accentuated perspective as individuals. With this focus, it seems we have lost a certain sense of community and deep connection to others.

This past weekend we escape the usual draw to our digital existence and did what we really wanted to do.

Our family spent three days and two nights back in time. It was like living in the 80’s or 70’s or even before that. We played in the woods, swam in the river and ocean, climbed trees, rode our bikes, helped with the fire, tent, cooking, collected rocks and were generally free.

Building an online business means an extended amount of time plugged in.  Personally, staring at a screen and being constantly connected to the Internet, social media and email, has some negative side effects on me.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love what I do.  Since I consider family, recreation and life balance very important, being an online entrepreneur, is a good structure for my work choice.  Once again, it took being unplugged to get back in touch with my big WHY.

While this is a personal experience, I truly believe that to some extent everyone can benefit from a trip back to the future.

What did I just say?

Was that a title to a movie with Michael J. Fox?

Yes. Yes, it was.

As we boldly venture towards a future with the virtual reality, artificial intelligence, 3-D printing, self-driving cars and the Internet of things, I believe there’s more value than ever in learning from the past to regain balance in the present.

Bree, our two girls, and I, set off Friday afternoon to camp for two nights at French Beach Provincial Park where temperate rainforest meets a sandy beach with the picturesque view of the Olympic mountain range across the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

We were completely unplugged from digital communication.

While some might consider it a curse, French Beach and much of the west coast of Vancouver Island leaves you with no access to the Internet or even cell phone reception.

Gasp! Shock! Horror!

Actually: The. Best. Therapy. There. Is.

What happens when you’re stuck unplugged,”bored”, and dirty?

Well, that’s where the magic happens.

When you have constant access to more information at your fingertips than in an entire university library as well as endless entertainment options and unrelenting social media notifications, being present in the moment is virtually impossible.

Living in the moment isn’t always realistic but we could all probably spend more time there. When your connection to everything online isn’t an option, the present and the natural world calls out.

There’s always more news and with over seven billion people on the planet, there’s always someone else to engage with. If you don’t make the effort to put aside the immediate gratification of digital connection, you’ll never find the time to be present in the here and now.

Whether you find a spot that doesn’t give you the choice or you make the choice to turn off and unplug, some time disconnected has many benefits.

10 Effects of Being Unplugged, Bored and Dirty

1. Spend quality time with those you care about. You might get to know them better. Without distractions and being pulled through an internet connection to engage someone that isn’t there in an environment that isn’t the one you are experiencing, you are much more likely to really connect with the people and place you are in.
2. Give your eyes a break from staring a foot or two in front of you for extended periods. Your vision will thank you but not your optometrist.
3. Appreciate the natural world. It’s slipping away and the more we value it, the more effort will go into conserving it. By spending time in nature, we are more likely to pass on this gift to future generations.
4. Benefit from the healing power of nature. From forest bathing to vitamin D and so much more, nature has many scientifically proven methods for improving our mind and body.
5. While science has confirmed the benefits to mind and body, virtually all traditions and intuition lead us to nature as a place where the spirit rises. Whether you are climbing a mountain, looking at the ocean, walking through the woods, bathing in a river, wandering in the desert or just gazing up at the clouds, many spiritual moments and soulfully nourishing experiences have occurred “out there”.
6. Embrace movement patterns that humans have practiced for thousands of years. By climbing trees, going on extended hikes, swimming in natural bodies of water and the like, you are releasing the scope of natural human movement that many of us ignore. Enjoy renewed mobility, connection to your natural environment and fitness that is fun and not contrived.
7. Allow your kids to get bored so they develop their imagination and ability to creatively entertain themselves. Remember that? A stick can be just as much fun as the latest trending toy. It’s also a gateway to self-discovery, problem solving and even the laws of physics.
8. Get energized by moving through an environment that takes you out of autopilot. When the ground is uneven and natural obstacles get in your path, you have opportunities to grow. Learning to navigate non-paved terrain expands your abilities and actually can rewire the brain. People that spend time doing new things develop neuroplasticity, become more skilled at facing challenges and are generally happier. All this leads to more energy.
9. Getting “dirty” with some earth on you builds your immune system’s strength as well as increases the diversity of the microbiome that exists in symbiosis with you. Certain bacteria found in dirt can actually improve your mood and health. Gardening can achieve this, so can a “down and dirty” approach to being outdoors or camping.
10. Escape the constant negative news and be happier. As I mentioned above, the news is perpetual. There is always another story and bad news captivates more than good news. If you are tied into the unrelenting flow of negative stories it’s hard not to get down. Unplug, soak up the magnificence of the natural world, feel alive and joyous.

In actual fact, you can achieve all of the 10 things I list without camping or even leaving the city. Still, when you are locked into a couple of nights without even the option of checking your email, social media or engaging on your phone, something magical happens.

I recommend it. Our family spent three days and two nights back in time. It was like living in the 80’s or 70’s or even before that. We played in the woods, swam in the river and ocean, climbed trees, rode our bikes, cooked over the fire together, collected rocks and were generally free.

I’ve read many articles from psychologists, pediatricians, and others about the effects of too much screen time. While my experience is more anecdotal, I am still quite confident in my findings.

When my children spend extended time in front of a screen, they are more grumpy, tired, and lack focus. After being unplugged for three days, they are happier, energized, creative and have greater attention spans.

As for us, we had a hard time coming back but we did return renewed and more balanced. Our camping trip was a therapeutic journey into nature, back in time, immersed in the present and a chance to strengthen our bonds as a family.

While technology races forward and we have more tools to improve our lives than ever before, it still seems that we are in more of a rush. The pace of life hasn’t slowed down. It often feels that it continues to get faster. Consider the value of temporarily being unplugged as a chance to step off the treadmill, smell the flowers, slow down and enjoy something you can never get more of… time.