Life alone can be exhausting. Are you reading this post while you swig caffeine after a sleepless night with your smartphone inches away from your head, glowing in the night, and alerting you to every post and comment made on social media? Did you wake up to a to-do list overloaded with expectations and a family with more going on than the Kardashians?
It’s no wonder we are so exhausted. We live in a time where we have more expectations and more to do than any previous generation. Most of these things were designed to make our lives more efficient and our quality of life superior to that of the past. Yet they are causing us to deteriorate mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially. So much for the modern era of being able to do and have it all.
This is why it’s essential to have Content Boundaries. What are they?
Content boundaries are the information you will or will not consume from media outlets, i.e. TV or social media. As well as how you monitor your digital consumption. Today, we live in a digital world where from the moment to the next you need your smartphone. Whether it be using it for directions to work, sending e-mails, or scrolling on Tik Tok to ‘relax’, we are constantly surrounded by screens.
This can cause us to be overstimulated with sensory overload. According to Erin Eatough, this happens when your brain is taking in more information than your senses can handle. Burnout is a common symptom of being overstimulated, as well as poor sleep quality and brain fog.
What can you do to combat overstimulation in our screen-time society?
We recommend a stimulation detox, attempt to minimize the amount of time you’re on your phone, watching TV, or on your computer (outside of work), and maximize the time you’re offline.
Here are some tips:
- Make sure the first and last hour of your day is offline (if an hour is too long, start small with the first and last 15-30 minutes without your phone)
- Create a morning routine: stretch, drink a glass of water
- Create a nighttime routine: read, journal, take a shower
- Try implementing a physical activity or creative hobby into your routine, instead of doom-scrolling on social media
- For example, try crocheting (it’s easy and materials aren’t expensive, plus it’s rewarding to make something!)
- If you don’t have time or money for the gym, there are tons of at-home workout videos or simple stretching poses you can learn!
- If you work online, make the conscious decision to spend more time offline
- Try making your bedroom screen-free
- Set a screen-time limit on your phone for social media apps
- Keep your phone on airplane mode or do not disturb in the morning and night
Personally, I’ve been attempting to have one day a week where I don’t use my phone or any social media apps (besides essential texting or calling). This helps me to re-ground myself and forces me to do something where I’m not easily stimulated by a video or screen. It’s hard, but you can even try doing it bi-weekly at first.
Follow the Real Life Category on our blog to learn more about burnout. You’ll learn what causes Burnout and Fatigue, how to prevent it, and how to rejuvenate. You’ll especially need this when we have pushed ourselves past prevention. With each blog you will receive a new opportunity to better understand what burnout is, and the effects it has on our minds, bodies, and the entire family.
Happy Reading,
Pamela N. Dukes