daily screen time > 7 hours!?!?
Padma Spring #2
Did you know that the average daily screen time for Americans is 7 hours and 4 minutes? Mostly on a phone. With over 3 hours streaming TV. This means over 40% of our time is spent with screens.
Fascinating that I am part of this statistic even though I actively chose to avoid desks and computers for 2 decades. I worked in retail, and then hospitality, before yoga claimed me. Then along came COVID and (jokes on me!) I have a desk job. Or rather an at-the-computer-job because I sit on the floor and my “desk” is a bench. (not known for normal!)
Truth be told, I’ve struggled with the quantity. It drains and depletes me in ways that are hard to describe. I get completely dissociated from my body. The eye strain brings headaches and nausea. My neck and shoulders get weird and wonky. My right hip often aches at the end of the day.
But we can’t turn back time. Screens are here to stay. And I LOVE what we’re creating virtually.
So.
I’ve developed skills and strategies to counterbalance. My top 3 are:
A walk. So simple but so powerful. Looking at distance resets your vision and reduces eye strain. The rhythmic movement will revitalize your energy. The natural swing of your arms will soften your shoulders. Side-to-side eye movement tamps down the amygdala (which influences your stress response).
Side Note: when I need it most, I don’t want to go. Especially during winter months. But it's worth the willpower because it makes a huge difference with everything.
Rolling my skull on a block. This releases tight connective tissue. Your eyes, face, jaw, neck, shoulders (and nervous system!) will benefit.
Upper body release poses: Like windshield wiper with arm brushing, unraveling poses, and supine twists. Gravity does the work for you. Tension, stress, and strain is washed away with your breathing.
When I’m in the Bay Area next week, classes will be sprinkled with upper body reset strategies. And the crown jewel will be the Upper Body Reset Workshop on Saturday 3/8. Expect new tricks and techniques for releasing, revitalizing and restoring upper body plus favorite poses to assess the effects of what we’re doing.
Not in the Bay? There are Upper Body resources in the 20 Minute Miracles App:
The Shoulder Soother is part of the (free) Intro Membership.
If you have a Toolkit Membership or Curated Collections, everything you want and need is in Upper Body Reset.
Rather than lamenting the predominance of screens (which is disempowering, frustrating, and resists what is…) let’s embrace technology for all the good it can do and reclaim our power by resetting body, mind, and spirit regularly, efficiently and consistently through simple movements and powerful practices.
May your practice restore your power,
Alison
