How to add glitter when you need to unplug

This week's #EME6414 challenge was to unplug and disconnect from technology for 24-hours.

Yes, all technology including social media, Netflix, phone calls, ALL THE THINGS!

To me, that seemed (and still seems) basically impossible. Taking 3 online summer courses, launching a virtual mock interview program, having 0 sense of direction and being an only child requires me to use technology every. single. day.

Yet, I didn't want to totally exclude myself from the unplug challenge because I do think it is important to limit your daily screen time because we have SO MUCH screen time each day!

While I could not totally unplug, I went out of my way to ensure I limited my weekly blue light exposure which included a glittery way to unplug from my iPhone after I got home from work. Both of these adjustments are going to become permanent life changes and I am so thankful I was able to find these solutions!

First, let's chat blue light

The website Blue Light Exposed shares "60% of people spend more than 6 hours a day in front of a digital device." As most digital devices emit blue light, those 6+ hours of exposure are incredibly harmful on our eyes.

Blue Light Exposed shares "Over time, exposure to the blue end of the light spectrum could cause serious long-term damage to your eyes... Sources of blue light include the sun, digital screens (TVs, computers, laptops, smart phones and tablets), electronic devices, and fluorescent and LED lighting."

Why should we care about blue light exposure? Blue Light Exposed breaks it down for us:

Blue light waves are the among the shortest, highest energy wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. Because they are shorter, these "Blue" or High Energy Visible (HEV) wavelengths flicker more easily than longer, weaker wavelengths. This kind of flickering creates a glare that can reduce visual contrast and affect sharpness and clarity.

This flickering and glaring may be one of the reasons for eyestrain, headaches, physical and mental fatigue caused by many hours sitting in front of a computer screen or other electronic device.

Our eyes' natural filters do not provide sufficient protection against blue light rays from the sun, let alone the blue light emanating from these devices or from blue light emitted from fluorescent-light tubes.

Prolonged exposure to blue light may cause retinal damage and contribute to age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to loss of vision.

Ok, that's all pretty bad. Now let's chat about how I limited my blue light exposure and how you can as well!

At work:

How many of you use a computer at your job? I assume we all do. Since I look at the computer for 5+ hours during my work day, I needed to limit the amount of blue light emitting from my DUAL monitors.

How did I do that? I adjusted my PC Night Light settings to reduce the amount of blue light during my work day.

Microsoft Support published an excellent how-to article with screen shots and directions for adjusting your Night Light settings. I have my night light on from 7:00am - 5:00pm on my work computer and from 5:00am - 10:00pm on my personal computer (I get up super early to do school work every day!)

The orange tint of the screen required a few days of adjustment, but now it looks completely normal to me and I am so thankful I reduced the blue light exposure!

At home:

I really wanted to try and unplug every day this week beginning at 6:30pm and that meant un-attaching my iPhone from the palm of my hand.

However, since communication is so simple now I feel a lot of pressure to respond to text messages immediately. I don't want to be rude to my personal network and them think I am ignoring them. Does anyone else feel texting guilt?

Additionally, since I am an only child living 400+ miles from home, my parents need to talk to me at last every 3 hours or they go into panic mode.

While I wanted to unplug from my iPhone the combination of texting-guilt and parental guilt was too much to ignore. Thankfully I found an excellent compromise!

To unplug this week I used the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature on my iPhone!

The Do Not Disturb While Driving feature was created to help drivers alert those who try to reach them that they are currently driving and will check their messages when they arrive at their destination. However, I've adapted that feature to fit my unplugging needs and I've only gotten nothing but positive feedback!

When turned on, this feature sends an automatic message to those who text me alerting them I am trying to limit my daily screen time and I will address their message as soon as possible. It even provides a follow up message for directions if this is an emergency situation - it is a total lifesaver!

My phone automatically sent those two texts as a response when I received a message at 9:28pm last night. Then, once I woke up and turned off the feature I got all the notifications I missed from the day before and was able to respond accordingly.

Interested in the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature? 9to5Mac published an amazing article that will walk you through the process!

I am also happy to provide support if needed!

Do you think you would use the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature to overcome texting-guilt and help add glitter to your unplug challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

XO,

Michelle