5 Ways to Unplug and Recharge in College

 As a college student, I find that I am attached to my computer to hip… er… fingers? And with the invention of the handy, dandy iPhone that I’ve become best friends with since this summer, I can never escape "the screen." Granted, I realize that the relationship is two sided – I actively engage with these technological mediums. If I don’t check my email every 5 minutes, my inbox will clog up to unmeasurable degrees and I might miss out on something very important. And don’t get me started on Facebook…

But does that mean I have to be slave to them? As a Communication major, technology is my life. In a sense, I understand the inevitability of always being plugged in. That said, as a human being of this planet we call Earth, I also realize the importance of unplugging and recharging. So here are some ways to unplug in a constantly plugged in world such as mine.

1.) No Email after 11 pm: This is a practice I started last year when I was trying to figure out why I was having a hard time sleeping. I realized that I go to bed with the topics of my email on my mind. So I turn my email off at 11 pm. If something is important, I assume they will call me or try to get in touch with me via other means. Otherwise, it can wait until tomorrow.

2.) Walk Around Campus WITHOUT Your iPod: Now, I CANNOT live without music. I listen to it 8+ hours a day. But sometimes, even I need a break. I also started walking to classes instead of biking. I’m forced to leave home early, and if I leave early enough, I’m never rushed to go to class. And I keep my iPod tucked away. I get to hear the hustle and bustle of the world around me. I pay attention to my surroundings, and, both literally and figuratively, my ears (and my brain) get to breathe.

3.) Exercise In Nature: I am victim to the Spinning Bike. Not only is it a great full body exercise, but I just look super cool on it (c’mon, I see you nodding). But honestly, I can also ride my bike outside and make progress from point A to point B. Grab a frisbee, a couple of friends in your dorm, and go throw a frisbee around. Race to the post office. I don’t care. Just breathe that fresh air outside.

4.) Kindle Is Not Your Best Friend: Oh my gosh, words printed on paper! I can write notes in my book? Look! Just as portable as my Kindle, but so much easier to read! My reading material for class on paper? Not on PDF? I don’t have to haul my lap top every where and can actually engage with the material?! Okay. Point made. I’m done.

5.) Don’t/Do: Don’t take your lap top to every class. You’ll take better notes without it anyways because you won’t be flipping from desktop to desktop, from gmail to facebook. Don’t take your phone every where. Need your phone to keep track of time? Use a watch. Compelled to text or IM your friend down the hall? Walk to his or her room and talk to him or her in person. Don’t listen to your iPod. Go to a live concert, even if it’s a open mic event in your campus coffee shop. Or make your own music!

Do write little personal notes to friends. Pen and pretty stationary – I know I’m not the only stationary buff out there. Do create an art project. Photoshop may be amazing, but it can’t do everything for you. Do take walks with your friends. Real human contact – excellent. Do listen to your body. If your eyes hurt, you have a headache, a back ache, a neck ache… Honestly, you’re probably spending too much time in front of a screen. So set limits, and take care of yourself.

I’m not saying that I practice all of these on a daily basis. But I do think that it doesn’t hurt to start implementing this in your life. And as a member of Generation Y, I realize a healthy balance is hard to find, but not impossible. After all, isn’t that what wellness websites help promote? A balance between the two?  

Good luck and take care!