Comments on: Why You Need Much More Time Offline

By: Jennae

Jennae — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 23:24:13 +0000

I do see the importance of just taking a break from the web, it’s all about balance. There are health problems that tend to arise from staring at a computer screen all day- I get headaches, and sometimes feel lethargic.

By: John Soares

John Soares — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 14:42:59 +0000

In reply to Heather Voight. Heather, I make sure I have email and all other notifications turned off. I also make myself work on a specific task for a set amount of time, 30-50 minutes, and then I allow myself a short break.

By: Heather Voight

Heather Voight — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 01:20:59 +0000

Great post, John. I am so guilty of spending too much time online, though I’m trying to curb it by setting a timer.

The problem is when I start researching a topic online, I eventually move on to email or see something on LinkedIn. By then I’ve lost so much valuable time. I used to love browsing in bookstores, but with so many closing up I’m often suck browsing online, which isn’t nearly as fun. Having a dog to get me out of the house helps, though!

By: John Soares

John Soares — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:31:05 +0000

In reply to Anne Wayman. I remember coffee shops were populated primarily by friends visiting and by people reading books. Now it's mostly people on laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 18:05:21 +0000

Muscle soreness… that’s me. Have spent most of the morning off line… most of today will be offline.

I go to coffee shops to have coffee and chat with friends – which makes us odd folks out – OFO?

By: John Soares

John Soares — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:23:24 +0000

In reply to Gene Burnett. Unfortunately, Gene, you are a rare one. Sounds like you have your life in good balance. And I have also seen a lot of street people with smartphones in our little town of Ashland.

By: Gene Burnett

Gene Burnett — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:45:27 +0000

Thanks for the cool info graphic. Good stuff there. I think balancing on and offline time is essential to health. We are not adapted to spending long periods of time sitting or looking at glowing screens. In order to be healthy we need more time in the world we were adapted to live in, the physical one, and less time in the virtual one. But I don’t see that happening much, especially with younger people. The virtual is becoming more and more important and where most people’s focus is. And their presence in the physical world is constantly interrupted by things to “check”. My solution is pretty simple. I don’t have a cell phone let a lone a smart one. So when I leave the house, I’m off line. I teach and practice T’ai-Chi, walk and bike around town, go to musical shows, play musical shows, and hang out with my friends. When I’m home, especially at night, that’s when I’m more focused on the virtual world, but even then I take frequent breaks to stretch, do little errands or tasks…I break up my online time often. But I’m pretty rare around here…even hobos have smart phones. ;~) GB

By: John Soares

John Soares — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:09:11 +0000

In reply to Tom Bentley. Tom, I do follow the news, but I tend to chunk it all at once, usually while I'm eating breakfast. I also have entire days where I don't pay any attention to what's happening in the wider world. Since I create college textbook supplements, including in political science, I do have to keep up with the general course of affairs in the United States and abroad.

By: Tom Bentley

Tom Bentley — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:54:16 +0000

John, I get TBS (Toasted Brain Syndrome) from being online too much. I’m grateful that I do work at home, so I get out into the world at mid-day every day for a hike, bike ride or walk, and I very rarely work past the dinner hour.

Added some morning meditation and I’m trying not to peek at the daily horror show of the news either—working on it.

And thank you for your RTs of some of my stuff lately!

By: John Soares

John Soares — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:44:12 +0000

In reply to Marcie. Good for you Marcie! I find my creativity is highest when I'm offline and I'm out in nature, which usually means hiking.