By Claire Diab and Dennis Boyle
In today’s world, it is so important to be aware of nourishing your body, mind, and soul. Technology makes life more fun, makes it easier to stay connected, and helps get things done faster. There is just one problem: There can be health hazards to our body and mind. We are realizing people are becoming dependent on these devices. It has gone as far as people mindlessly tripping into walls, falling into fountains, or simply losing their train of thought while working or while in company of other people. There is a physical situation called “Tech Neck,” caused by tilting the head forward 60 degrees putting 60 pounds of pressure on our neck. Technology also causes side effects such as blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, and even insomnia.
There are many people who are finding it increasingly hard to disconnect at work. If we can learn to disconnect, we can make ourselves more productive and more efficient in all the things we do. Research shows constant interruptions cause a phenomenon called “Switch Cost,” in which we switch from the task that we are working on and then we have to come back to it. Dr. Scott Bea, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, states this switch cost reduces our brain efficiency up to 40 percent. This may not be a big deal for menial tasks, yet “it can be a very big deal if your brain is trying to sort out a complex problem,” according to Earl Miller, a professor of neuroscience at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As firefighters, your problems are definitely more complex than the average office worker. It is vital to protect your brain power so you are alert and focused for all aspects of your job.
In the philosophy of yoga, there are many ways to detox, whether it be dieting, taking time to be silent, going on retreats, and so on. In today’s modern day, you have the ability to do a digital detox. There is a new term called “digital Sabbath,” during which time you give your devices a rest for 24 hours. Design a day for yourself where you would be able to disconnect from your devices for a four- to six-hour period on a day off. Spend time with family, call an old friend, do a hobby you enjoy, or simply plan a fun activity. Disconnecting on occasion will nourish your body, mind, and soul.
Claire Diab is an internationally recognized yoga therapist. She is the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. She is an adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. She is the author of several books and DVDs on yoga including “Yoga for Firefighters.”
Dennis Boyle is a retired fire director and acting chief with the West Orange (NJ) Fire Department. He was the recipient of the 1999 New Jersey Deputy Fire Chiefs “Fire Officer of the Year” award.
