Disconnect to stay connected

Most TNBA members have been busy attending and keeping up with industry events and forming new partnerships and relationships. And just when we think we have a moment to rest, we realize the next one is right around the corner. So, it’s understandable if keeping up, following up and circling back are making you feel overwhelmed.

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to take a step back from the infinite scroll or at least create some healthy habits that will help you reconnect with the parts of yourself that you may neglect during busy seasons. Sometimes we have to log off so we don’t lose sight of why we work so hard in the first place—to stay connected with what, and who, mean the most to us.

Of course, unplugging completely isn’t realistic for everyone.

We all have clients, colleagues, children and communities who may rely on us to keep in contact. Instead of going off-grid, try these tips to help you engage with social media more consciously:

• Use apps that limit your use:
  • If you’re awake at 4 a.m. scrolling LinkedIn, you don’t need to be. Your phone has built-in settings that can help ensure that you’re only logging on when it actually serves you.
• Go analog before bed:
  • The blue light from screens can interfere with your body’s natural sleep cycle. Try reading a physical book, journaling, listening to music or simply enjoying a few quiet moments before turning in for the night.
• Designated digital-free times:
  • Choose times during the day when your phone stays out of reach. Dinner with family, your morning coffee, workouts and the hour before bed are all great places to start. When you’re ready, you could try going for several hours, or—gulp—even a full day.
• Sleep through the night:
  • Unless you’re on-call for an emergency, let your phone sleep when you do. Turn on Do Not Disturb, silence non-essential notifications and sleep soundly knowing responding to that chain email from your coworker or cat photo from your cousin can wait until tomorrow.
• Change doomscrolling to hope-scrolling:
  • If you notice that scrolling is giving you negative feelings, switch your scroll. Instead of social media, read an e-book, the local news or use an app that encourages learning or cognitive health.