It sounds extremely daunting, doesn’t it? The prospect of unplugging from technology and reconnecting with the world. It may pose the question of why I need to participate; the world relies heavily on technology. But that is exactly why you need to! We have become too reliant on connecting with a world of pixels and search engines and have started disconnecting from self-care and living in the moment.

You may be thinking that’s pretty ironic why are you telling us through a blog, social media, and email newsletters to stay away from our screens. Well, below we are going to explain the method behind our madness.

Why unplugging from technology is great for both your physical and mental health:

It’s so easy when using social media to feel connected. At Austin Macauley Publisher we love social media. It means you connect with people from every corner of the globe who you may never have had the chance to. It means you can share your most amazing moments with everyone and you can learn so much about the world.

However, whilst you may feel like you have a strong community in the online world a 2017 study proved young adults aged 19-32 were three times as likely to feel socially isolated compared to those who did not use social media.

It is nice to have friends who you can connect with at any given moment, but nothing beats those face-to-face moments. Nothing beats sitting there with someone in real time and enjoying their company. Nothing beats being able to enjoy good moments that create memories forever, It’s not to say your friends and life on social media don’t matter, it\'s just to encourage you to digital detox now and then to enjoy living life at the moment.

Further to this, there are great physical risks included in the overuse of technology.  There are increased musculoskeletal issues due to posture when using technology. It has also been proven that digital eye strain is a huge problem when staring at screens all day. So unplugging from technology is not just about disconnecting from the online world, it’s about giving your body and mind self-care.

Lastly, the effects of social media and technology on mental health are astounding. It’s completely understandable why the pressures of social media have become too powerful. The nature of it is almost addictive acting like a slot machine and rewarding you with dopamine. So, even when people know it\'s hurting them they can not help but use it. Like any addiction, it\'s an extremely hard one to break.

With the increase of filters, FOMO (fear of missing out), and access to all the bad things happening in the world the rates of depression and anxiety are rapidly increasing. Whilst it affects all genders and age groups it has been proven to be massively affecting women in their late teens to mid 20’s. 83% are struggling with body confidence, the increase of loneliness has gone up to 78% compared to men and the effects on relationships that social media have rapidly increased with 60% of women reporting feeling more jealousy than men. It is important to note whilst there are many benefits to technology if the risk is outweighing this then maybe reconsider whether the risk is worth the potential injury.

Screen-Free Week activities to aid your mind green:

At Austin Macauley Publisher we have many activities that you can utilise to aid you during this week. However, we hope the Screen-Free Week tips you pick up from us will continue after the week.

Life, Death, Tai Chi and Me- My Brain Injury Journey:

Actor Jason Riddington defied all odds in this incredible story of his survival of profound physical and mental trauma. Riddington’s journey through surviving a subarachnoid haemorrhage and using Tai Chi to retrain his mind is an incredible tale of how our mind is more powerful than we can even believe. Through the practice of Tai Chi and the love surrounding him from friends and family Jason went from not being able to lift himself upright to full mobility and a new appreciation for life.

Tai Chi has been proven to aid movement control, relax joints and ensure good posture. There are many different styles of Tai Chi meaning it never becomes repetitive or boring. Need somewhere to start? Why not read Riddington’s book!

True Love Conquers All:

Do you have a love for history? Even love for the past and a yearning for life before the dawn of touch-screen technologies. If you are someone who loves a love story where messages have meaning and were received in days instead of seconds you’ll want to engulf yourself in this beautiful love story inspired by Susan R.E. Wall’s parents\' love letters.

If you aim to embrace the past this Screen-Free week let the flicking of the pages of this book act as your portal into the past. The book truly depicts the horrors and beauties during the years of a nation scarred by wars.

Ed’s Odyssey’s How I Met Buddha and the Aliens:

A digital detox is not just about giving your body and mind rest, it is also about a journey towards a spiritual awakening. Whilst Ed’s tale may be one about his challenges and triumphs over addiction and his encounters with mystical energies and angels he is living proof that everyone has a captivating tale inside of them of personal growth and transformation.

From his altered state and waking state he made a change in his life forever.

Check our Ed’s book for the push you need to encourage you that triumphs are only possible if you look to do so. Our minds are more powerful than we give them credit, and our souls crave a spiritual awakening more than we can fathom.

Activities not involving books:

Are you not the biggest fan of reading? Well see below for some activities this Screen-Free Week:

• Bring back letters, and start writing them!
• Do all those chores you’ve been putting off, I know it doesn’t sound fun but at least it gives you time to focus on finally getting the job done!
• Start baking!
• Start planning your goals.
• Spend more time with friends.
• Have a sleepover like you did when you were little.
• Use that gym membership… come on there’s no excuse not to now!

We at Austin Macauley Publishers do hope that this Screen-Free week brings you more than mental and physical peace. We hope it reminds you that even though our algorithms and screens tell us we need them and the world is all doom and gloom, the world is really beautiful and it is here for us to explore and adventure. We hope that this week proves to you just how powerful you and your mind are and to never give up on it, because to give up on your mind is to give up on yourself. Use this week as an excuse to push yourself and see how a digital detox is one of the best forms of self-care there is.

Happy Screen-Free Week! We are offering a spectacular deal of 50% off all paperbacks until the 7^th of May. When your digital detox is over connect with Austin Macauley Publishers for more such blogs, and submit your manuscript if you want to publish your work. You can also make a quick and easy submission through the online submission form. You can stay updated with our new releases and activities by joining our family of authors and readers on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, Instagram.