If you're reading this, you might not know that it's the fourth annual National Day of Unplugging , a day when participants nationwide pledge to spend 24 hours completely tech-free.
Impossible, you say? Difficult, maybe, for the most avid Instagrammers and Tweeters and texters among us. But even if you don't unplug for a full sunset to sunset, spending more time off the grid can be surprisingly beneficial to your mood, relationships and overall health.
Since you clearly haven't been convinced if you're still reading, here are a few of the most powerful health reasons to take a tech break. Let us know why you unplug in the comments below.
Being Plugged In
...Zaps Focus And Productivity The cell phone is buzzing, the Gchat boxes are blinking blue and the columns of Tweetdeck are streaming by faster than the speed of light. All these bursts of technology are not informative news flashes but distractions, say experts. While you might fancy yourself a fantastic juggler, multi-tasking is actually limiting your ability to pay attention. Instead of getting more done on more tasks, people who are ultra plugged in struggle to tune out the irrelevant info , the New York Times reported. Some have taken to calling this effect "popcorn brain." All that constant beeping and buzzing may be leaving our brains too over-stimulated to focus on the slower-paced offline life.
Increases Stress Many of us are dealing with the unscientific but all-too-real "Social Media Anxiety Disorder." Half of people surveyed in a UK study said that social media has a negative effect on their lives, namely because of the opportunity to compare themselves to peers on Facebook and Twitter and the effect those comparisons have on self-esteem, Forbes reported. While SMAD isn't a medically recognized disorder, the statuses that don't elicit enough "Likes" or retweets and the emails that go unanswered are causing real anxiety. And stress, no matter the cause, can lead to premature aging, brain shrinkage, lowered immunity and increased diabetes risk, among other scary side effects .
Advertisement
...Disrupts Your Sleep You've probably realized that sharing the bed with your buzzing, beeping cell phone can interrupt your slumber. But even technology use before bed is problematic. That's because screens emit a blue wavelength of light that tricks the brain into thinking it's time to be alert, thereby delaying the natural release of the sleep-aiding hormone melatonin. The National Sleep Foundation found that 95 percent of us use some screen in the hour before bed , whether that's a TV, laptop, smartphone or video game. You're not tired though, you say? Messing with your sleep is harmful for reasons other than just feeling sluggish the next morning: Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to memory problems, heart attacks, obesity, stroke and more frightening health outcomes .
...Stunts Creativity Stumped at work? Consider stepping away from the computer and getting some fresh air. A small 2012 study found that spending time in nature without your electronic devices boosted scores on a creativity test .
Advertisement
...Hurts Yes, physically! Think about where you spend most of your time being plugged in. If the answer is "hunched over a computer," you're in trouble. Sitting too much in general isn't doing you any favors, but poor posture can lead to neck and back pain, eye strain and shoulder tension. Even if you're plugged in on the go, you can hurt yourself. More and more doctors are observing thumb, hand and wrist pain in patients, linked to cell phone use, ABC News reported.
...Makes Driving Dangerous If you're looking at a smartphone, you're not looking at the road, and, even if it's just for a few seconds, the consequences can be serious. The New York Times reported on a study of truckers that found that when drivers texted, their risk of crashing was 23 times higher than when they put down the phones. The average time spent looking at a phone near a crash was just five seconds, but five seconds is long enough "at typical highway speeds to cover more than the length of a football field," according to the paper. Not much is so important it can't wait.
Advertisement
Need some tips for how to unplug? We've got you covered:
Get some eggcellent inspiration, here.)","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153127_original.jpg","title":"Cook Yourself Up A Luxurious Brunch","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"How Sweet It Is","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdafc1f000050002163eb.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"How Sweet It Is","height":872,"width":1200,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdafd2200008300d9679a.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":4272,"height":2848,"credit":"Shutterstock"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc827493","caption":"...when it isn't her birthday. Make a list of all the reasons she earns the title of BFF: She'll feel appreciated and grateful to have you in her life, and writing it will remind you how lucky you are to have her, too. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153123_original.jpg","title":"Write A Note Of Gratitude To Your Best Friend","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Shutterstock","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdafd2200008300d9679a.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Shutterstock","height":2848,"width":4272,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdafe2000004e00fdbde8.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":3706,"height":2469,"credit":"Flickr:donjd2"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc827494","caption":"Lace up your sneaks, leash up your love and GO. No matter how you decide to move, choose to leave your cell at home -- grant yourself this time to be present with your own thoughts, and not the thoughts of the Twittersphere. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153151_original.jpg","title":"Get Moving","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:donjd2","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdafe2000004e00fdbde8.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:donjd2","height":2469,"width":3706,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdaff1f000050002163ed.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":4288,"height":2848,"credit":"Flickr:lovinkat"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc827495","caption":" You'll wake up refreshed and ready to tackle any problem that seemed impossible pre-snooze. (Want to take a nap at work? We're all for it! Find some tips, here.) ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153165_original.jpg","title":"Take A Nap","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:lovinkat","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdaff1f000050002163ed.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:lovinkat","height":2848,"width":4288,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb002500003600363c95.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":5184,"height":3456,"credit":"Flickr:vinylourson"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc827496","caption":"Google Maps has saved your life again and again, but it's dulled the wonders of wandering. Why not take a break from knowing where you're going and instead explore the undiscovered?","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153173_original.jpg","title":"Get Lost In Your City","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:vinylourson","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb002500003600363c95.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:vinylourson","height":3456,"width":5184,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb012400003100535d17.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":2272,"height":1704,"credit":"Flickr:Joanna Bourne"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc827497","caption":"For a lot of us, our A.M. cup of coffee blends into the frantic \"routine\" of getting to work on time. Consider setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier to enjoy every aspect of your delicious morning ritual. (Some tips to turn your morning cup of coffee into a meditation -- it works for tea, too!)","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153240_original.jpg","title":"Ritualize Your Morning Cup Of Joe","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:Joanna Bourne","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb012400003100535d17.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:Joanna Bourne","height":1704,"width":2272,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb022100003000c54ae4.png","queryParams":{},"width":566,"height":377,"credit":"Shutterstock"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc827498","caption":"Maybe you don't have time to unplug today. Fine. What about five minutes to sit? Good.Get yourself in this postion -- Viparita Karani, or Legs Up the Wall -- for just five minutes and feel the stress of the day evaporate. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153243_original.jpg","title":"Sit Like This","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Shutterstock","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb022100003000c54ae4.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Shutterstock","height":377,"width":566,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb02240000300094d988.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":894,"height":596,"credit":"Flickr:Unskinny Boppy"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc827499","caption":"Remember when Art was your favorite subject in school? Relive that release of creativity. (Sampling the Elmer's Glue is not encouraged.)","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153260_original.jpg","title":"Take An Art Class","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:Unskinny Boppy","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb02240000300094d988.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:Unskinny Boppy","height":596,"width":894,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb032500003300363c97.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":3300,"height":2261,"credit":"Shutterstock"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc82749a","caption":"Try crafting a meal from your roots, whether it's from a page of your Grandma's passed-down recipe book or the extravagant birthday dinner your dad used to cook you as a kid. One rule: No looking up the steps online!","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153130_original.jpg","title":"Take A Page From Your Grandmother's Recipe Book","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Shutterstock","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb032500003300363c97.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Shutterstock","height":2261,"width":3300,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb04240000300094d98a.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":4000,"height":2667,"credit":"Shutterstock"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc82749b","caption":"Preferably one with pages that you turn, not tap. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153269_original.jpg","title":"Read A Book","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Shutterstock","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb04240000300094d98a.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Shutterstock","height":2667,"width":4000,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb052200005600d9679c.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":500,"height":375,"credit":"Flickr:nickjohnson"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc82749c","caption":"Dust off those boxes of fourth grade genius: No one could compete with your report on Ulysses S. Grant (or so said your No. 1 fan: Mom). Revel in that fantastic feeling of nostalgia -- you are sure to find some gems!","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153272_original.jpg","title":"Dig Through Some Childhood Memorabilia ","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:nickjohnson","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb052200005600d9679c.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:nickjohnson","height":375,"width":500,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb052100003100c54ae6.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":3264,"height":2448,"credit":"Flickr:S E Brendel"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc82749d","caption":"It won't be long until waterproof phones become the norm. For now, light a candle and take a nice, long tech-free soak -- you'll emerge relaxed and peaceful. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153274_original.jpg","title":"Take A Bath","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:S E Brendel","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb052100003100c54ae6.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:S E Brendel","height":2448,"width":3264,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb0626000032007fa578.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":3600,"height":2400,"credit":"Flickr:kellyv"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc82749e","caption":"Talk about appreciating the present moment: Those ducks won't ignore you for their Instagram feed. You'll get their full attention in exchange for a little bread. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153283_original.jpg","title":"Feed The Ducks","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:kellyv","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb0626000032007fa578.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:kellyv","height":2400,"width":3600,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb073c00004c0009ed34.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":662,"height":496,"credit":"Flickr:Rubbermaid Products"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc82749f","caption":"Pick a space in your home and get organized. Doing a bit of a home-cleanse will help you feel less chaotic on the inside. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153284_original.jpg","title":"Declutter","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:Rubbermaid Products","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb073c00004c0009ed34.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:Rubbermaid Products","height":496,"width":662,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb072200003000d9679e.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":612,"height":612,"credit":"Flickr:Amy Whelan/ Wheelz"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc8274a0","caption":"Whip out a pen and start scribbling -- you might be surprised to see all that's on your mind, without the interruptions and distractions from your external gadgets. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153286_original.jpg","title":"Write Stream Of Consciousness","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:Amy Whelan/ Wheelz","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb072200003000d9679e.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:Amy Whelan/ Wheelz","height":612,"width":612,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb0726000035007fa57a.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":500,"height":332,"credit":"Flickr:Alaskan Dude"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc8274a1","caption":"Pick a crowded part of town and observe: People are always up to curious things that you won't notice unless your head's up!","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153293_original.jpg","title":"People Watch","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:Alaskan Dude","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb0726000035007fa57a.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:Alaskan Dude","height":332,"width":500,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb071f00002d002163ef.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":704,"height":469,"credit":"Flickr:cherrylet"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc8274a2","caption":"Gather your gang for a night of culinary joy -- everyone should bring a dish, but leave their cells behind. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153301_original.jpg","title":"Host A Phone-Free Potluck","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:cherrylet","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb071f00002d002163ef.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:cherrylet","height":469,"width":704,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb083c00005b0009ed36.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":4288,"height":2848,"credit":"Flickr:snre"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc8274a3","caption":"Spend some time doing something good for someone else -- you'll reap the many benefits of altruism, and maybe even dig up a new hobby. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153304_original.jpg","title":"Volunteer","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:snre","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb083c00005b0009ed36.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:snre","height":2848,"width":4288,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5b9cdb0926000035007fa57c.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":612,"height":612,"credit":"Flickr:Garden State Hiker"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"5b9cdb0be4b03a1dcc8274a4","caption":"Just because they recently swapped the iconic iron piece for a cat doesn't mean your favorite classics aren't worth a revisit. ","source":"http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/283065/slide_283065_2153533_original.jpg","title":"Play A Board Game","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"Flickr:Garden State Hiker","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"5b9cdb0926000035007fa57c.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Flickr:Garden State Hiker","height":612,"width":612,"ops":""},"textWrap":"noWrap","imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":"
","title":"Related Video: The Doctors' 48-Hour Technology Detox","type":"embed","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"orientation":"horizontal","thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"ss-default-embed.jpg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"","ops":""},"imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null}],"settings":{"type":"standard","eventName":"","eventType":"standard"},"options":{"theme":"life","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","slideshowAd":{"scriptTags":[],"otherHtml":""},"slideshowEndCard":{"scriptTags":[],"otherHtml":""},"isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":true,"entryId":"5b9ce0ece4b03a1dcc82a3a5","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/national-day-of-unplugging-health-reasons-unplug_n_2791658","entryTagsList":"healthy-living,unplug-and-recharge,video,unplugging,national-day-of-unplugging,technology-health,@health_adhd,@health_depression,@health_ibs,@health_models","sectionSlug":"healthy-living","deptSlug":"lifestyle","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"healthy-living","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.healthy-living","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":12},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_slideshow":{"count":36}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5b9ce0ece4b03a1dcc82a3a5","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"healthy living","slug":"healthy-living","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/healthy-living","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/healthy-living","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/healthy-living"},"relegenceSubjectId":6324154,"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Wellness","slug":"healthy-living"},"topic":{"title":"How We Live: Wellness","slug":"how-we-live-wellness","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/life/topic/how-we-live-wellness"},{"name":"Unplug And Recharge","slug":"unplug-and-recharge","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/unplug-and-recharge","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/unplug-and-recharge","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/unplug-and-recharge"},"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Wellness","slug":"healthy-living"},"topic":{"title":"Unplug And Recharge","slug":"unplug-and-recharge","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/life/topic/unplug-and-recharge"},{"name":"Video","slug":"video","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/video","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/video","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/video"},"relegenceId":6013763,"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Huffington Post","slug":"front-page"},"topic":{"title":"hpvideo","slug":"hpvideo","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/hpvideo"},{"name":"unplugging","slug":"unplugging","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/unplugging","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/unplugging","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/unplugging"},"url":"https://action.news/topic/unplugging"},{"name":"national day of unplugging","slug":"national-day-of-unplugging","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/national-day-of-unplugging","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/national-day-of-unplugging","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/national-day-of-unplugging"},"url":"https://action.news/topic/national-day-of-unplugging"},{"name":" technology health","slug":"technology-health","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/technology-health","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/technology-health","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/technology-health"},"url":"https://action.news/topic/technology-health"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["\r\n\r\n","\r\n\r\n","\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0}}">
19 Ways To Unplug
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make even as little as $2 goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.