01 Apr Try unplugging for more happiness
via the Huffington Post by Megan McAvoy
Do you want to be happier?
Do you want to be healthier?
Do you want more fulfilling relationships?
If you answered yes to any (or all!) of these questions, then let me ask you one more. When was the last time that you completely unplugged? I mean, 100% stepped away from your phone, your laptop, social media, television, and any other form of technological “connection.”
I spend a few weeks and weekends each year, completely unplugged. Whether that’s camping / hiking in the mountains where there’s no reception, immersing myself in the wisdom of places like Esalen and Kripalu, or simply “just because.”
I disconnected this weekend, and I want to share with you 3 lessons I find every time that I go unplugged. But first, let’s check out the importance of human relationships on our health and our happiness, and then get into why we need to “unplug” more often.
Why Is Close, Personal Connection the Key to Happiness?
Science has shown that close human connection and social capital are hugely important for our health and our happiness. That’s because it’s comforting to know that others are there to support us when we are in need. It’s reassuring to know that we can talk to our friends when we have challenges, and that we can count on others when things go wrong. Close relationships can help us to better understand ourselves in relation to our surroundings / circumstances. They allow us to look at our life through a new lens (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-k-mcavoy/the-best-way-to-find-your_b_9194532.html).
The health benefits of human connection have also been proven: a longer, healthier life span (http://www.psy.cmu.edu/~scohen/berksyme01.pdf) and lower levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone).
Ok, so human connection = health + happiness…
…keep reading the full & original article HERE