Praticar a atenção plena pousando o telemóvel

Nos dias de hoje, os nossos dispositivos estão praticamente ligados à nossa anca. Estamos constantemente a verificar o nosso telemóvel. Que horas são? O que é que diz o nosso próximo lembrete? Quem é que acabou de nos enviar uma mensagem? Respondemos àquela mensagem nas redes sociais?

We spend so much time on our smartphone, in fact, that we often forget about the rest of the world and what’s happening around us. Perhaps finding some peace of mind is as simple as committing to this…

Faça mais coisas que o impeçam de consultar o telemóvel.

It’s more of a challenge, really. Can you do it? Can you find things that interest you enough to keep you away from running to the screen the next time you hear that infamous ding?

Há coisas que podemos fazer que são mais importantes? Claro que sim.

Por isso, deixe o seu aparelho de lado por um momento e considere a possibilidade de se envolver em actividades que não só ocupem o seu tempo, como também dêem sentido à sua vida.

Passar efetivamente tempo com a família e os amigos. We’ve all been there. You’re invited to a family gathering and everyone reúne. No entanto, ninguém interage. Todos estão, ironicamente, sentados no sala de estar on their phone or mindlessly attached to the TV. When did it become taboo to have your device at the dinner table but totally acceptable to drown out a family gathering in the family room? These should be areas filled with laughter and good conversation, offering space to chat and catch up… not over messenger but face-to-face. We’ve totally lost the concept of meaningful connection.

Participe. Mais uma vez, o nosso nível de ativismo social começa e acaba frequentemente com a adesão a grupos de redes sociais e com a adição de publicações. Preocupa-se realmente com uma questão? Claro que 200 gostos num fórum de um grupo podem ajudar a espalhar a palavra, mas o que está a fazer para resolver o problema? É preciso andar na rua para criar verdadeiras ondas. Envolva-se em eventos locais, actividades, grupos de defesa física e clubes sociais. Conheça verdadeiramente os seus vizinhos que se interessam pelas mesmas coisas. Estabeleça contactos com eles e apresente ideias.

Ensinar os outros. Believe it or not, there is still capacity for in-person teaching. Kids are still going to school, sitting in a classroom and following instruction. Yes, there are many resources online, credible ones. And, yes, you can learn a lot sitting at a computer and sharing this information with others. But, you are also contributing to the loss of socialization in society. We are teaching the next generation that knowledge is power but networking is nothing more than nice to have. So, students are entering ‘the real world’ with zero communication skills. They are checking their phone in the waiting room before being called in to an interview and asking to finish a text before they head back. They are sitting across the table from industry influencers and clamming up, because they cannot consult their phone when answering questions. We are promoting introverted personalities because ‘connecting’ over a device doesn’t truly count, thus allowing the concept of power in numbers to completely die out.

Sirva-se enquanto pode. By allowing yourself to continuously check your phone everywhere you go and in everything you do, you are fueling an addiction. And it’s a powerful one. The more this becomes acceptable to you, the more you will crave the dopamine released from the brain every time you do it, and the more irritable you’ll get whenever you can’t check your phone. This is a very real, physical reaction to something the body believes it cannot live without and is no different from the effects of any other addiction. It’s a vicious cycle that will only lead to depression and anxiety, which will both intensify over time. So, while an addiction to the perceived must-haves on our computer or phone may seem harmless at first, we are truly hurting ourself. And we cannot logically condemn the behavior of someone who is addicted to sex, shopping, a toxic relationship, or substances while fueling our own demons. It’s total hypocrisy. We only have control over our own actions and need to self-reflect to improve.

Try to turn off your phone more and more throughout the day and keep it out of reach. Create pleasure elsewhere, so you can live a happier life. It’s that simple.