Antidote to the always-on culture

IWonder how many of my readers are finding it difficult to sleep at night or to maintain their pre-pandemic sleeping schedules. This crisis is changing many things about our lives, including our habits and routines. other people are finding it hard to get the same amount of outdoor exposure, along with a healthy dose of vitamin d, exercise, and fresh air. For some people, it’s their diet that’s changing and, unfortunately, there are many of us who have gained weight or have been consuming more unhealthy food and drinks.

The line between weekdays and weekends has also started to blur. More people are working way into the night and the early morning, sitting down at the dining table to get some work done while eating a meal. They are constantly bombarded with notifications and calls even during their private time, or when they are trying to relax with their family. We have come to embrace the always-on culture, at the expense of sleep and our general well-being.

Wellness experts are flashing the warning sign against these tendencies that have become more prevalent in this pandemic. They’re telling us to stop, evaluate, and do what is necessary to return to our center, a place where we are stable and well. For example, we might have to go on a digital cleansing or The line between weekdays and weekends has also started to blur. More people are working way into the night and the early morning, sitting down at the dining table to get some work done while eating a meal. They are constantly bombarded with notifications and calls even during their private time, or when they are trying to relax with their family. We have come to embrace the always-on culture, at the expense of sleep and our general well-being. a digital detox, as some people call the hours or days of complete disconnection from electronic gadgets. It doesn’t have to take so much time either—for example, in a day, we can designate a short period when we decide to leave our phones and focus on doing something enjoyable, like reading or cooking.

Another symptom we need to look out for is something that is very common: pushing our needs aside because of an emergency at work, a tight deadline, or a commitment we can’t cancel. The experts are unanimous in saying that it is very important to listen to what we need (mind and body) and to create a self-care plan to make sure that these needs are addressed. For example, if we’ve been cooped up alone for so long and we are longing for company and a conversation, we should take time off to schedule a call or a safe meeting with close friends or relatives.

Finally, it would help to take a look at the findings of one study that was done by the scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. They found out that outdoor activity actually affects our brain structure in a positive way. All those hours spent inside the house are making us less effective at work and even prone to psychiatric disorders, according to science.

So, if you are presented with the opportunity to go outside, go to the beach, or go on vacation in the province, grab it. Studies show that even short daily walks can greatly improve our health and well-being.