- Jan
- 13
- 2017
Stress Less by Turning off Those Devices!
“When you maintain high levels of stress, your body maintains a ‘fight or flight’ response, which leads to an increase in your body’s release of the stress hormone, cortisol,” says Dr. Curtis Reisinger, Corporate Director of Northwell’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). “Chronically high levels of cortisol can lead to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, physical aches, lack of concentration, and reduced immunity,” adds Curtis.
The Stress Less Wellness Challenge is here to help, by offering unique stress-reducing techniques each week throughout the six-week challenge. The first week of the challenge suggest you turn off your devices for at least 30 minutes a day.
Reasons to Power-Off Each Day
- I’m not fully present: I’ve missed important points in meetings because I was checking email. I didn’t hear my child’s question because I was looking at my calendar.
- Powering-off your electronics will allow you to focus on situations and people that deserve your attention. They will also see you as more respectful of them and their time.
- I’m always on: When toggling between your electronic devices throughout the day, your eyes and brain are subject to constant stimulation. This barrage of information can lead to forgetfulness, fatigue and feeling overwhelmed.
- By turning off your electronic devices 30 minutes a day, you allow your brain to recover, absorb experiences, and process them, turning them into long-term memories.
- I’m not sleeping well: The TV is on when you go to bed. Your phone is on your nightstand and vibrates with every notification. These distractions affect the quality of your sleep, leaving you tired when you wake up in the morning.
- Make a point to turn off your devices at least 15 to 30 minutes prior to going to bed. Keep them off throughout the night, and resist the urge to check your devices if you do wake up intermittently. Blue light can shut down the sleep hormones, which help you gain a restful sleep.
Participate today at Northwell.edu/myWellness. Each week of the challenge, you’ll learn a new way to reduce stress. Track your results at least once a week with a simple Yes or No, and earn 1,500 reward points.
Questions about the challenge? Contact myWellness@northwell.edu
If you are experiencing an unmanageable amount of stress, contact Northwell Health’s Employee Assistance Program at 877-327-4968 or eap@northwell.edu for a free and confidential consultation.
By turning my phone off for 30 minutes I am more focus.
have stayed off my device for hours each day this week.
I am not crazy about phone or computer. It’s very easy task for me.