4 Simple Changes to find Peace in the Digital Age

Sadly, there is no APP for contentment.

The Digital Age gives us instant gratification at our fingertips and a steady stream of happy-chemical producing “likes” and pings. We now know Apps are designed to produce a little spike of dopamine that keeps us coming back for more like well-trained drug-addicts, but we also know, technology in and of itself isn’t inherently evil.

Like a hammer, it can either hurt your fingers (and your head) or be cleverly manipulated to improve your home and hearth.

Happiness is a temporary experience. Those pings and notifications are seductive, but contentment is a permanent state, and sits below it all, forever accessible when you’re willing to go beneath the surface of how you “think” and “feel”.

Here are some changes you can make to become more present in this noisy new world:

• Buy an alarm clock and use it. Harvard Health found blue light disrupts our circadian rhythm, sleep patterns, and may contribute to cancer, diabetes and obesity. Turn off your phone before bed and keep it off until you’ve rolled over, kissed your spouse (or your dog if you’re single), and are ready to engage with the world with your full attention.

• Turn off your computer screen while eating lunch. Take 5 or 10 minutes to fully engage with the sensations eating produces. Studies show this can reduce overeating, reduces anxious thoughts and has a greater impact on weight loss than diets.

• Hide your phone during a meeting. Studies show the mere presence of a smartphone lessens the quality of in-person interaction. Put that information, communication and entertainment super highway out of your line of sight.

• Three times a day, stop for 2 minutes. Take 3 deep breaths into the belly, drawing oxygen into the lower lobes of the lungs, where there is the most blood flow. Take a step outside the office and feel the sunlight on your skin, the pressure from the earth beneath your shoes, and use your breath to get out of your head, and back into your body.

Watch this Ted Talk to learn how breathing can change the way you work, play and love.