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Give Yourself a 10-Day Tech Detox

Nancy Colier — December 10, 2017

This tech detox is a 10-day sneak peek of the full 30-Day detox plan offered in The Power of Off. Here’s how to use your phone as an opportunity to wake up instead of a source of constant distraction. Give yourself the gift of being truly present during the hectic holiday season.

DAY 1

Pay attention to and internally note every time you feel the impulse or hear the thought to check one of your devices or computer. When you notice this, ask yourself, “Am I checking out of habit?” and “Is this checking necessary right now?” (For example, is it necessary for work?) If the answer is “Habit” or “Not Necessary,” then repeat to yourself, “Stop” and do just that. Simultaneously, designate three times in the day when you are allowed to check your device, whether necessary or not.

DAY 2

Refrain from any tech use when socializing or otherwise interacting with people (except at work, if needed). This includes everyone—shopkeepers, waiters, and service people, as well as your family and friends.

DAY 3

Refrain from holding your device in your hand or keeping it in your pocket when it’s not in use. Store it out of sight elsewhere.

DAY 4

Refrain from using any of your devices during the first hour after you wake up in the morning. If your smartphone is also your alarm clock, treat it as such. Turn it completely off as soon as it’s sounded your morning wake-up.

DAY 5

Refrain from using tech devices during the last hour before you go to bed.

DAY 6

Turn off all alerts and notifications on your device. If your cell phone is your alarm clock, leave only the alarm notification intact.

DAY 7

Refrain from using your devices on public transportation or in taxis.

DAY 8

Write down four activities or experiences that nourish your spirit. Keep these simple and accessible—not the climbing-to-the-summit-of-Mount-Everest sort. Give yourself one of these experiences today, and get one on the calendar for each week to come. This practice should continue weekly after your detox as well.

DAY 9

Refrain from using your devices while waiting in line—any kind of line.

DAY 10

Refrain from using technology in the car, except when you need GPS assistance.

Looking for more great reads?

Excerpted from The Power of Off by Nancy Colier.

Nancy Colier is the author of The Power of Off. She is a psychotherapist, interfaith minister, author, and veteran meditator.

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Sister Joan Chittister: Lighting a Fire with Faith

Joan Chittister — December 8, 2017

Sister Joan Chittister is a member of Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania; the bestselling author of more than 50 books and hundreds of articles; and one of the most influential contemporary leaders and activists for human rights, women’s issues, and church renewal. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Sister Joan about the endless interplay between doubt and faith. They discuss the ways in which God sees all of creation, and what this perspective then asks of us. Tami and Sister Joan talk about the necessity of embracing humility, as well as what it means to know the right questions to ask on one’s spiritual journey. Finally, Sister Joan comments on the maturation of faith as one grows older and the “last great adventure” offered by death. (66 minutes)

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Gretchen Rubin: Changing Habits

Gretchen Rubin — December 5, 2017

Gretchen Rubin is the New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before. She hosts the immensely popular weekly podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon talks with Gretchen about the principles detailed in her newest book, The Four Tendencies. They speak on how to discover which of the book’s four archetypes you embody—whether you’re an Upholder, Rebel, Questioner, or Obliger—as well as the challenges and advantages each type faces. Gretchen and Tami also discuss what it takes to start changing an entrenched habit. Finally, Gretchen explains why it’s so important that you keep personal spaces uncluttered. (61 minutes)

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Breathe and Be

Kate Coombs — December 3, 2017

Need more “Breathe and Be” Moments?

Excerpted from Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems. Written by Kate Coombs and illustrated by Anna Emilia Laitinen.

Kate Coombs is the author of numerous books, including picture books, novels, and books of poetry. Her collection of ocean poems, Water Sings Blue, won the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for 2012. She’s a former teacher, and has taught both K-12 and college. Her favorite color is the blue-green at the top of an ocean wave, and she goes out of her way to step on dry leaves just to hear them crunch. For more, see katecoombs.com.

Anna Emilia Laitinen studied graphic design and illustration in Finland and Iceland. She has illustrated books, stationary, tableware, and textiles. In 2015, she received the Kaiku Award for illustration from The Association of Illustrators in Finland. Her favorite color is the Northern winter sky during sunset and her favorite sound is waking up in a tent in a forest full of birds singing. For more, see annaemilia.com.

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Mel Schwartz: The Possibility Principle

Mel Schwartz — November 28, 2017

Mel Schwartz is an author, public speaker, and psychotherapist who has been in private practice for more than 20 years. With Sounds True, he has recently published the book The Possibility Principle: How Quantum Physics Can Improve the Way You Think, Live, and Love. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon talks with Mel about the central ideas of quantum physics and how they can be applied to our day-to-day mental health. Mel describes the implications of quantum theory for perfectionists, as well as how the nanoseconds between thoughts contain near-infinite possibilities. In the same vein, Tami and Mel discuss the roots of anxiety and why it is so difficult to surrender to the uncertainty of the next moment. Finally, Mel leads listeners in a guided practice for letting go of our sense of safety in order to align completely with the flow of life. (67 minutes)

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Being Mindful of Not Being Mindful

Dr. Erin Olivo — November 25, 2017

Modern life is chock-full of habits of mind that get in the way of mindfulness. Be on the lookout for them in your own life. Steering clear of them will be part of practicing mindfulness.

Here are some of the most common things that pull people out of mindfulness:

Thinking about the past (literally taking you out of the moment)
Thinking about the future (ditto)
Multitasking
Judging, analyzing, criticizing, or evaluating
Attaching to thoughts or observations
Pushing away thoughts or observations
Having a lack of intention
Having a lack of compassion
Being in denial

WISE MIND LIVING PRACTICE

Catch Yourself Being Judge-y

Judgment is one of the most common ways to pull yourself out of mindfulness. Whether you are judging your experience as good, bad, or ugly, it’s an obstacle to be fully present in the moment. And you do it all the time. Everyone does. The way to do it less — the way to not let judging interfere with your ability to be mindful — is to increase your awareness of when you are judging.

Try spending a few days noticing all the judgments you make throughout the day. About anything and everything: “What the hell is that lady wearing?” “Yuck, this food is gross!” “I should not be the one handling this!” Any time you catch yourself playing Judge Judy, notice it, label it as a judgment, and resist the temptation to judge yourself for being judgmental. Then try to tell yourself the same story but with neutral (nonjudgmental) language: “Her shirt is bright.” “Oh, that is bitter.” “I have a task that I do not like.” With enough practice, you’ll begin to make that kind of switch automatically — in mindfulness practice as well as in life.

Looking for more great reads?

Excerpted from Wise Mind Living by Erin Olivo

Erin Olivo, PhD, MHD , is a licensed clinical psychologist and an assistant clinical professor of medical psychology at Columbia University. She has a psychotherapy practice in New York City. See erinolivo.com.

Category: Mindfulness

Give Yourself a 10-Day Tech Detox

Sister Joan Chittister: Lighting a Fire with Faith

Gretchen Rubin: Changing Habits

Breathe and Be

Mel Schwartz: The Possibility Principle

Being Mindful of Not Being Mindful

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