This year has had the biggest impact on our collective mental health. Many of us spent months without seeing friends and family, our celebrations have been postponed and holidays cancelled.
Life truly was at a standstill.
This year we have spent more time than ever staring at our laptops, phones and tablets. Especially as we have all had to turn to these devices to see our friends and family, not just for work.
Working from home and staying inside can really take its toll. That is why we are asking the industry to take some time to step away from the screen, enjoy the fresh air and breathe this October.
This pandemic has reminded us how we need to look after each other, but ourselves too!
Here are some tips to help you #StepAwayFromTheScreen:
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- Sit back and listen. Taking a few moments to listen to a calming podcast can really help you shut out the rest of the world for a while, and give you the tools for a relaxing life. Check out these 13 podcasts to help lift your spirits.
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- Limit your screen time: It can be extremely easy to scroll and scroll for what seems like miles on our phones. A simple way to limit your screen time is to download an app that takes the choice out of your hands, such as Freedom, ZenScreen or Social Fever. You’ll thank us later!
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- Prioritise sleep: Research has shown that using electronic devices before bed delays your body’s internal clock. It suppresses the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin and make it more difficult to sleep. This is largely due to the artificial blue light emitted by these devices. To ensure a good nights sleep, put down the screen at least an hour before your head hits the pillow.
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- Give yourself the morning off: Would you invite hundreds of people into your bedroom the very second you wake up? We didn’t think so! Scrolling through social as soon as you open your eyes is pretty much the same. Resist reaching for your phone or laptop, and give yourself the chance to start the day properly!
Sign up to Steptober today and #StepAwayFromTheScreen.