Disconnect to Reconnect

Has technology taken us away from what truly matters? Have we become prisoners to our phones, computer, tablet etc.? As we live in an age where technology is everywhere we turn, we have completely been accustomed to the instant access of what the internet can provide. Everything we need, every answer we seek, or any recipe we want, is at a hands reach. The world is literally at our fingertips. But what role does that play in the relationship with our physical world or our environment?; From the trees we can see, the wind we can feel, the birds that we can hear, and the scents if the world that we can smell, our over-reliance and obsession with technology has completely disconnected us from our natural world.

Take a moment to reflect on your daily life and consider the amount of time you spend on a device. Now think about the amount of time you spend outside, whether that is going on hikes, going on bike rides or gardening. Now does that amount equate?

Studies have shown that American’s devote an average of 10 hours of screen time a day, about 81% of adults have smartphones and about 94% of adults possess an HD tv. These numbers are remarkably high, but with the technological boom that we’ve experienced in this lifetime, these numbers make sense. However, as percentages of screen usage skyrockets, the percentages of outdoor activities plummet significantly. We’ve become deficient in nature.

Research suggests that environmental immersion impacts our overall well-being. It reduces stress and anxiety and can promote an overall healthy lifestyle by being active. So in other words, nature heals. Nature should be a tangible part of a person’s life. Nature matters and it should be an important goal for individuals to invest their time into nature. Our earth is alive and breathing and its time to help defend it by being a part of it.