UCanMakeItIfYouTry – Reasons To Disconnect From Your Phone
This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take immediately.
TOP TIPS
Smartphones have become an extension of our arms. Look around, and you will find many people looking at their hands instead of the world around them. Disconnecting from your phone more often can enhance your life in many ways. Here are nine reasons to disconnect from your phone.
1 -You Stop the Comparison Game
Social media encourages you to compare your life to the carefully crafted personas your contacts have created. Often, these idealized profiles have little basis in reality. Putting the phone down stops the comparison game that threatens your happiness.
2 – You Gain Periods of Solitude
As a society, few of us know how to be alone or be silent. We are bombarded incessantly with notifications on our phones. When you disconnect, you can let your mind relax and enjoy some quiet solitude.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Link for 40 Habits Signup
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealthIf you’d like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here’s the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub
3 – You Reconnect with Your Family
How often have you watched a family sit at a restaurant, pull out their phones, and ignore each other? Limiting your phone time allows you to look your partner in the eye and have a meaningful conversation. Reconnect with loved ones by spending more time with them, and less time on your phone.
4 – You Become More Creative
You either consume or create. Scrolling through social media or reading articles is consuming. Stopping your consumption allows your brain to switch to its creative mode. You may rediscover hobbies, solve problems, or enjoy other creative outlets.
5 – You Will Enjoy Better Sleep
Even if notifications are set to vibrate, having your phone in the bedroom can interrupt your sleep patterns. Too much blue light screen time impedes sleep. You can get better sleep if you leave your phone in another room.
6 – You Increase Your Productivity
Stopping to review each notification causes your mind to ‘short-circuit.’ Those tiny interruptions translate into lost time trying to refocus on the original task. By ignoring your phone, you can remain focused on your task and enjoy greater productivity.
7 – You Reduce Feelings of Loneliness
Technology is great, but it does not replace physical contact. It can actually increase your feelings of loneliness. When you put down your phone and close your laptop, you can focus on building relationships that lead to less loneliness.
8 – You Can Reconnect with Nature
We are wired to be active. Sitting down to scroll on your phone stops you from getting outside as often as you should. Put your phone down, go outside and breathe the fresh air. Take in the beauty around you – it will revitalize body and soul
9 – You Face Your Real Problems
We often spend too much time on our phones because it is our safe place where we don’t have to think about much other than the next item we are scrolling to. Disconnecting from your phone, helps you stay present and keep your mind on important things. Stop using your phone to escape your problems.
FAST-ACTION STEPS
1 – Turn your phone off during meal times. Use this time to interact with family, ask about their day, or engage in conversation with friends.
2 – Buy an alarm clock for your bedroom, and leave your phone in another room at night. This gives you the opportunity for a more restful sleep.
3 – Turn off notifications and set your phone away from you while working on important or time-sensitive projects.
- About the Author
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James Donaldson
Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)
James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.
James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
James is a 40+ year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!
