There is power in turning down the volume
There’s an epidemic threatening humanity.
We have a volume problem.
No, I’m not talking about loud music like the band Spinal Tap and the famous “all the knobs go to 11” bit.
I’m not even talking about people yelling at each other, although there seems to be more yelling lately, too.
The volume I’m talking about is the unending barrage of unnatural stimulants we face on a daily basis.
What the heck are unnatural stimulants?
Actually, I just made the name up. But, there are a few unpleasant side effects of the digital revolution that have affected humanity in some very harmful ways.
Years ago, our ancestors hunted in the day and ate by the light of a fire.
Nowadays, blinding light is at our fingertips day and night.
We have broken our circadian clocks.
Big time.
Further, we have digital screens everywhere we look. So many screens. They are almost impossible to avoid and can leave us focused on them like a firefly staring down a bug zapper.
The screens themselves are a stimulant, as we need to manage the blue light from them to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
Additionally, the amount of notifications we receive on our computer, phone, car, watch, and other mobile devices can be overwhelming.
Healthcare providers discuss the evils of alarm fatigue, where clinicians get so overwhelmed by the constant beeping of so many devices monitoring their patients that they become unable to focus on them.
The rest of the world signs up for alarm fatigue willingly, placing phones, watches, and other devices on our bodies and throughout our homes.
Sensory overload from constant stimulants makes it impossible for humans to function effectively.
Other unnatural stimulants include light pollution caused by city lighting and noise pollution. Noise pollution even happens to me in my peaceful little house in the country when the farm trucks come up my road.
Living in a world full of unnatural stimulants is causing a host of mental and physical health issues.
A recent study found both depression and anxiety disorders increased by 63% from 2005 to 2017. Insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders are also on the rise.
The constant screaming of today’s world is taking a toll on our health and well-being.
Let’s look at some ways to reduce the volume.
Break Out the Paper
I used to read on my iPad. It was great because all my notes synced and were searchable. I tried journaling there for a while for the same reasons.
Unfortunately, the digital distractions were too much.
I’d find myself re-reading the same paragraph several times because some notification popped up. Or worse yet, I’d actually click on it, and a few seconds later be off on a rabbit trail completely unrelated to what I was reading about.
I focus on paper books.
Digital? Not so much.
As for journaling, there is something so therapeutic for me about putting a pencil to paper. It’s a completely different experience than typing on a screen or keyboard.
Cutting out screens for these activities also helps me eliminate blue light from my evening, aiding my efforts for a good night’s sleep.
Try a Digital Detox
This is a bit more than just breaking out the paper. A few times a year, I take a weekend to detox from social media and my phone in general.
I’ll make the commitment to shut off my phone other than checking for calls or texts once or twice a day.
I always find that weekend to be so liberating.
It’s been a while. This is my reminder to schedule another detox weekend.
There are things you can do on an ongoing basis to maintain a healthy relationship with the digital world, too.
For instance, do you really need to get a notification for every piece of junk mail you get? Or for every person who texts you?
You are in control, and you can decide when to receive these notifications by simply changing some settings on your phone.
If you wear a smartwatch, it’s worth assessing which apps you need notifications from on the watch, too. Keep most of your notifications off to reduce your alarm fatigue.
Take it Outside
Our Creator designed us to live and work in nature. Somewhere along the way, we moved inside.
This approach provides us with a predictable environment, but it denies us the healing and calming abilities of nature. Numerous studies have demonstrated the healing power of a simple outdoor walk.
And, it costs nothing to soak up some sunlight.
Spiritual Practice
Nothing restores my peace like spending some quiet time in prayer and devotion with my creator. Embrace a bit of quiet time studying God’s word and talking with Him. Making a practice out of this will change you over time.
If you find yourself stressed and feeling burned out, give these a try to reduce the effects of sensory overload in your life.
Thanks for reading, I hope you have a blessed day.
Jon