All of us here at TechFanatix are surrounded by technology almost 24 hours a day. We have laptops, desktops, big tablets, small tablets, work offices, home offices, and phones- sometimes more than ONE phone at a time! We’re constantly plugged in no matter where we go. We’re a tech site after all, and we wouldn’t be here if we weren’t plugged in in one way or another.
But sometimes, it can get to be too much. Being always plugged in to the Internet means we’re constantly barraged with information and tend to lose touch with the other things that matter around us, whether it’s family, hobbies, or simply watching a good movie.
So, we’ve gone around the table and gathered some of our favorite ways to silence the pings, the dings, and the constant rings and asked:
What are your favorite ways to “unplug” from it all?
Jesse Mendoza: Out of the many gadgets that I own, my all time favorite way to unplug for a bit has to be my Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight. It's a pure e-reading experience without all of the distractions of a laptop or a browser. The device itself has no way to browse the Internet, receive email, or ping me with alerts, so I can read forever without being interrupted. It's light enough to carry everywhere, and tough enough to take to the beach, the pool, or anywhere I can get comfortable and have a little time for myself with a good e-book.
Tony Robinson: Easy for me... I listen to the Groove Salad station on SomaFM to relax while I'm reading a good book or some of my favorite magazines like Mac Life, Volleyball Magazine, Outside Magazine, Men's Health, PC World, Wired, etc. Now that I think about it, I completely adore unplugging from tech and just talking to the great wife I have. Don't ever let tech interfere with the most important things.
Marc Zeffren: This is one of the great things about being an Orthodox Jew. I have 25 hours built in to every week where I don’t have phones, gadgets, TV, or Internet. I just relax with the family and thank G-d for life and everything in it. On a daily basis though, I just shut off my gadgets and watch TV with my wife.
Heather Lindskold: I like to sit/lie down with a book. There is nothing more relaxing to me than smelling, reading, and turning the pages of a good book.
Geoffrey Brackman: The only "escape" I seem to get from my electrically connected lifestyle is mowing the grass. It is the only time I can get away from cell phone notifications and that intense urge to check my time lines, email, and chat clients. I try to "unplug" by watching TV or playing with the kids, but I'm a technology addict. I can only go a short period of time before the twitch starts up and I have to fight the urge to pull my phone or tabby out. I have tried sitting on my hands until they fall asleep, but the whole dead arm thing only ends up with a device being dropped to the floor. Anyone know of a good technology 12-step program? :P
Andrew Allen: I would have to say hanging out by the community pool and having fun with my wife and daughter would be at the top of my list for the summer. Reading Linux Mag and seeing what's innovating that month in open source tech is a good inside time for me. Throwing on Spotify and catching up on new music, or turning on the Boxee Box is up there as well. Also, if it's football season then there is only one thing to do: Catch the Cowboys Games!
Kayla Ward: I'm one of those techies who prefers what isn't tech... ironically. My favorite activities are those that aren't very tech related! From reading books (about, you name it), to going on bazaar adventures, to getting lost at the beach, to walking in the rain. My favorite is writing. How wonderful it is to expel feelings thoughts and emotions in the most boundless way! So where does tech fit into my life? Accessibility. I can read and write on the go! I can Geocache! I can find the most hidden or interesting beaches! I can use weather channel apps? Actually ya... I do that too. Ultimately, my favorite unplugged device to enjoy is any that lets me write.
Footnote: I miss hardware keyboards.
the Gadget Mom: Unplug? Did you say unplug? Because I thought you said "Unplug"... Why on earth would I want to do that??!! Ok. I never really want to unplug, but sometimes my kids make me. The baby throws my phone down, the kids hide the tablets and my Macbook Pro. This is when I know it's time to head to the beach. No tech. They hide it.
It's the only way I unplug. Kid mandated.
- There you have it! What are your favorite ways to unplug for a day? Let us know in the Comments!
Don't forget to catch us on Facebook and Google Plus!
