Most of the Sports and Wellness articles this year relate to fun routines practiced by the Acadia sports teams, such as pre-game pump-up and self-care, but today the focus is on ridding us of a routine: screen-time. Technology takes over our lives. Throughout the pandemic, most people can attest that their phone screen-time has surpassed regular amounts. We all get the loathsome weekly screen-time notification on our phones at the end of the week and groan when we see the high numbers. Our lives have turned virtual, including our school, for the duration of the year, where many people have classes on Microsoft Teams despite the hybrid approach Acadia University has taken.
We have to limit our screen-time outside of class to prevent technology burnout, the newest 2020 issue. Staring at a screen all day feels defeating and causes people to feel lethargic and distanced. Without an excuse to dress-up and talk to people in a class, people fill the time with phone use after a long day of online school because they do not feel energetic enough to head out and socialize. Especially for those reading this article who enjoy me-time over socialization, school no longer forces you to see people around campus. Despite the adjustment to online school, people should fight the urge to slip further into online life.
Below, see ten reasons to take a screen break to enjoy your life outside of a phone:
-increases time to make connections with people in-person
-increases the likelihood of developing new hobbies
-chance to engage in activities such as self-care
-opportunity to take an hour to exercise
-if you do not like exercise, you can meditate and embrace your spiritual side
-you can go for a walk down to the Dykes for fresh air
-social media harms self-esteem, this impact is reduced with lower screen-time
-you can see your friends in person instead of texting them
-you make real connections by stopping to talk to people on campus
-screen breaks can increase your motivation to work/study