Learning to Relax and Unplug
With summer and vacations upon us, I usually experience a few mixed emotions about going home (MI). It’s not that I don’t absolutely love seeing my family or being back in the community I grew up in. That is the number one reason I keep coming back. Where I experience a bit of anxiety is in knowing that when I arrive, I am virtually “unplugged”. “Unplugged” means living without cell, email, texting, Facebook, Twitter, etc. There are no hotspots, no wifi, no towers, no bars, no 3G, 4G or any G at all in my mother’s home.
At first, I experience a bit of anxiety and connectivity withdrawal symptoms for about the first few days. What if people email me or text? How will I know what is happening on Facebook or Twitter? How will I look up a recipe without my Google?
But something miraculous happens on about day three or four. I start to get quite comfortable living without technology. I realize I have no true commitments because I’m on vacation. I don’t have to check email nor respond to any requests. I am really o.k. not posting my status to social media or knowing what everyone else is doing. I’m reading books, playing cards and talking with people live. Wow–this is what life was like before technology.
With a deep breath I realize, I can just “be”. The techno withdrawal symptoms subside and I break out into a chorus (only in my head) of Que Sera, Sera as Doris Day so eloquently sang to us many years ago.
“Que sera, sera. Whatever will be will be, the future’s not ours to see, que sera, sera.”
Whether you’re staying home this summer or heading off on a vacation, give yourself permission to truly relax and unplug. Let go of the pressure to stay constantly connected and embrace moments of stillness, laughter, and presence. Sometimes the best memories are made when we slow down and simply be.
Here are 5 easy ways to relax and unplug—whether you’re at home or away:
- Set Tech-Free Hours – Choose a block of time each day (like mornings or evenings) to be off screens and just enjoy your surroundings.
- Get Outside – Take a walk, read in the sun, have a picnic, or just sit and listen to the sounds around you. Nature is one of the best ways to reset.
- Bring Back Simple Joys – Play a board game, do a puzzle, pick up a book, or journal your thoughts. These quiet activities can be surprisingly refreshing.
- Be Present with People – Whether it’s your family, friends, or even strangers you meet, give them your full attention. Real conversations beat text messages every time.
- Let Go of the Schedule – Try to keep plans light and flexible. Sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones.
No matter where you are this summer, give yourself the gift of being fully present—you might just find it’s the best part of your break.
What’s your favorite way to unplug and relax—whether you’re at home or on vacation?