The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World

by Nancy Colier

I observe more and more of my clients, as well as friends, family, and others, becoming dependent on their devices in order to feel complete, “calm,” and basically okay. Many people now need their devices and the ongoing infusion of entertainment, information, and communication that technology provides to keep themselves from feeling bored and agitated, which are now considered the normal sensations for a life that is “turned off.” What we expect from the present moment has changed: we are now accustomed to ongoing stimulation and feel anxious and lacking without it. There is a continual sense that we should be doing something, which then causes us to grab our smartphones to seek some relief from that anxiety. And while most people now check their smartphones 150 times per day, or every six minutes,2 not enough of us consider our behavior around technology to be a real problem.