It has never been easier to communicate than in today’s internet age. Information can travel at nearly the speed of light, such that you could hold a conversation with someone on the other side of the planet, as if he is sitting across your kitchen table.
In the past twenty years or so, services made possible by the internet, so called “Social Media”, have exploded in popularity. An entire generation has now grown up entirely in this reality. We have even allowed internet-powered personal assistants such as Alexa, Siri and Cortana to act as our personal assistants, like Rosie from the Jetsons.
What a great thing, right? Clearly, yes, in many ways it is. It brings families and friends together across great distances and allows us to share information we may never have had access to in a not-too-distant past.
However, if something is good, then is more of it always better? Would more of it make you happier?
Perhaps ask yourself a few other questions….
When was the last time you struck up a conversation with someone at the bus stop?
When was the last time you read a physical book?
When was the last time your day wasn’t interrupted by a notification or a buzzing sound from your pocket?
When was the last time you spent personal time together as a family, without distractions?
Is it really helpful when Alexa alerts you to the possibility of rain, when you can just peek outside the window and already clearly see it’s raining?
Does your Alexa even understand your question, or correctly do as you have asked of it?
Would it make you happier to have your fridge connected to the internet?
When I asked myself these questions, the answer was either… No, absolutely not, or a while ago.
Moreover, many studies have shown a strong correlation between heavy social media use and depression, anxiety, loneliness, and even suicidal ideation. These platforms are designed to be addictive, constantly using ever-improving algorithms that are working to keep users engaged for longer and longer periods of time.
So, what is the antidote to being over-connected?
Consider an ancient ritual, seemingly archaic, but which has found renewed relevance in today’s ultra-digital age.
In Jewish tradition, at the very beginning, God created the entire world in six days, and on the seventh day, he rested from his work. Thus, was born the idea of the “week,” a seven-day period of time that has no relation to any astronomical phenomena (as does the moon to the month, and the sun to a year, etc.) This was the first Sabbath, or its more familiar incarnation, the “Weekend”, observed by God himself (even the big guy needs to rest).
Highly observant Jews will observe the Sabbath by refraining from all manner of ‘work’, whether this be one’s occupation, cooking, traveling, or conducting any financial transactions, among other prohibited activities. However, perhaps most relevant to those of the information age, the Sabbath prohibits the use of ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES!
Sure, you can sleep in on the weekend. However, you might challenge yourself to try the Digital Sabbath and unplug for a whole day. You don’t need to be Jewish to try it out! See if it has an effect on your happiness and wellbeing. If you do, just remember to give your friends and family advanced notice. If they can’t get a hold of you immediately, they just might think you’re dead.
As a result, you might, just might, decide to work in the Digital Sabbath into your personal Happiness Management Plan.