We’re experiencing an era that is dominated by screens and digital distractions. While your phone buzzes in your pocket or pings from across the room, your brain might light up with excitement or feel a temporary rush of dopamine, making it more and more difficult to take time away from devices and screens. After several years of such highly concentrated screen time - exacerbated thanks to increased time at home during the height of the pandemic - it can be hard to avoid feelings of exhaustion and burnout.
For many people, their jobs require screen time. Whether you sit at a desk or use your phone to interact, it’s hard to limit screen time when your career depends on it. After work, many of us seek relaxation with even more screen time - streaming platforms, social media, and connecting with friends all contribute to staggering screen time statistics. Despite the allure of our digital devices, many of us can agree that we wish this wasn’t the reality of life in the digital age. How can we take a break from our devices and find true relaxation and restorative downtime to avoid burnout? Nature.
The Great Outdoors exists as a sanctuary for both the mind and body. Amidst the constant bombardment of notifications, emails, and social media feeds, the call of the wild offers a chance to unplug, unwind, and rejuvenate. Whether it’s hiking across your favorite neighborhood trail, camping under the stars with loved ones, or backpacking into the wilderness to reconnect with yourself, spending time surrounded by nature can benefit us profoundly, counteracting the pervasive burnout of our digitally saturated lives.
Studies indicate that the average person spends several hours a day glued to their devices. It’s been shown that too much screen time can desensitize the brain’s reward system, making it hard to manage impulse control and negatively impacting your body’s natural dopamine cycles (source: Potsdam). Constant exposure to screens can also contribute to physical ailments - like poor posture, insomnia, and eye strain - while simultaneously taking a toll on our mental well-being. Trying to process information and stay connected at all times often results in feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and eventually, burnout.
In contrast to the artificial stimuli of screens, nature can offer a therapeutic environment that nurtures both body and soul. By immersing yourself in the earth’s natural surroundings, you can actually reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and improve your overall mood. The sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors can engage our senses in a way that allows us to relax and find clarity instead of turning to our phones for stimulation. Getting outside is a fantastic way to enjoy time away from screens and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the digital age - you might even find yourself forgetting that your phone exists for a while.
At first, phone-free leisure time can feel challenging. But with practice, you might find it becomes rewarding the longer and longer you go without checking for notifications, reading emails, and being constantly connected to your peers. Naturally, we have to help our brains unlearn what they’ve grown accustomed to, which means training them to live with less screen time after several years of overuse. Be patient with the process of disconnecting, and start small if you can’t commit to going totally screen-free. Spending even just one hour on a hike or nature walk without your phone (or with your phone turned off) can make a huge difference.
Cultivate Mindfulness and Presence
The beauty of nature is that it demands to be experienced. By beckoning us to be fully present, it’s a great place to practice letting go of hustle culture and disconnecting for a while. Pay attention to the rhythm of your footsteps on the trail, the sounds of birds and animals in the forest, or how the wind feels as it rustles through your campsite. This heightened awareness and attention to the present moment can begin to heal your relationship with your devices, making it easier to feel connected to yourself instead of social media, work, or streaming platforms. By letting go of these digital distractions and embracing the serenity of nature, we can cultivate a deeper sense of peace and well-being.
Gearing Up for Time on the Trail
Want to maximize fun, relaxation, and enjoyment in the woods or on the trail? We’re proud to create hassle-free equipment that takes the hassle out of outdoor recreation. By prioritizing premium materials - like ultralight and ultradurable titanium - we enable you to experience more leisure with less stress. Explore our diverse collection of camping products, or shop some of our best-selling premium titanium gear. No matter where our equipment takes you, we hope it helps you disconnect digitally and reconnect with yourself.