This past Friday, I devoted myself to limiting the usage of my cell phone or computer. Usually whenever I go for a run, I will always plug in my headphones and listen to a playlist that I have compiled on my phone. However, this time I chose to exercise without my phone in my hand. The experience was extremely different in that I focused more on how my body felt while running rather than which song to listen to next. However, focusing on my actual breathing and every step I took made the run feel longer and harder on my body. On the other hand, I was able to hear the sounds of numerous cars passing by and actually pay attention to crossing different streets. I even said hello to a few neighbors that I passed by, whom I would typically ignore if I had my headphones in my ears. In a sense, I felt a lot more connected to my neighborhood and to my own body. I actually felt like I breathed in more fresh air than usual and was more sensitive to my own senses. Being away from my phone gave me the chance to meditate on my day and plan different assignments that need to be completed in the upcoming days or weeks. I made plans to take a shower and make a spa day for myself before finishing the night off with studying for my upcoming Medical-Surgical exam.
On a normal basis, I will always have my phone on hand because that is the only way I can fully maintain my relationship with others. I am currently in a long-distance relationship where texting and calling are the only forms of communication, which makes it extremely difficult to detach myself from my phone. In addition, most of my close friends and family are based in Los Angeles, so I am always receiving text messages from them. Although I would like to limit my electronic usage for the sake of my mental and physical health, it seems almost impossible in today’s society to do so without losing relationships to people.
It’s definitely hard to change your lifestyle overnight, but minor changes will do wonders. I am only now starting to change my habits with my phone and computer use. A good mentality to keep, for me personally, is the question centered around “How long do you want to live?” If looking at the grand scheme of things, life is pretty short and if there are a lot of goals and dreams that you want to accomplish, you need more time. The best way to secure more time is to secure yourself, body and health. It might feel almost painful, but at the end of the day, I keep reminding myself that my life and well-being deserves better.
