Page 17 - Natural Health (February 2020)

TOP STORY

WANT TO GO TECH-LESS?

If you’re feeling inspired to head into your next workout with a bare wrist
and free from your phone, here’s a few simple ways you can get your
exercise endorphins without clocking-up screen time.

• LACE UP YOUR TRAINERS
Even if you’ve never tried running before, getting involved in your local
running club is an easy way to boost your social interaction. Find your
nearest one here, runtogether.co.uk

• LOOK FOR TECH-FREE GYM CLASSES
If Jason’s phone-free mantra sounds like your cup of tea, then why not look
for a class in your local area. Gymbox ofer a ‘digital detox’ exercise class
speciically for the swipe-addicted, with yin yoga and meditation. For more
information, visit gymbox.com

• GO FOR A HIKE
The beauty of heading up a hill or a mountain is that you won’t hear the
familiar ping of Whatsapp as you stare out across the landscape. Still in
signal range? Airplane mode isn’t just for when you’re in the sky. Switch it
on while you get climbing to help you reconnect with nature.

A way of taking it back to basics is

by deleting your health apps.
You’ll soon see how your priorities
shift during your workouts

the main focus. Prioritise everything time. Exercise isn’t just about increasing LITTLE AND OFTEN
equally instead. Breathing is just as fitness levels, but determining how you feel Setting small goals regarding your
important, as is drawing your mid-torso at that moment, realigning your emotions, exercise routine can help you maintain
muscles in to support your spine. Things assessing what deserves your attention and focus and motivation and you don’t need
like this get missed if you’re too busy what energy in your day-to-day life isn’t tech to set them. “Think about your
tracking steps, or focusing on the time serving you. Screen time can be a major personality type, objective, your current
it’s taken you to complete an individual interruption and hinder our focus. Going headspace and your relationship with
exercise. “A way of taking it back to basics on a walk, or doing a class at your gym can exercise,” says Jason. “Some people are
is by deleting your health apps,” says be the only time that you have for yourself motivated by the aggressive goals set by
Jason. “You’ll soon see how your priorities in a day, so don’t waste that.” Everyone their chosen technology, while others
shift during your workouts and you can is entitled to time away from their phones, can feel overwhelmed. Make your own
always re-download them if need be.” so to make sure you don’t get distracted is goals with pen and paper. Even little
to step away from listening to music once things, such as showing up to a class,
STAY PRESENT a week. “This does wonders for thinking should be commended. If you’re unable
Taking a breather from our tech isn’t just time, boosts stamina and allows you to be to complete a routine on an app, then
good for our fitness, it can give our minds fully present,” says Jason. “Even if you that’s a new micro (or even macro) goal.
a much-needed reset as well. “I have a no decide that you’ll keep your phone on I recommend using third-party tools
phones policy in my classes,” says Jason. you but not look at it, it takes restraint that have a positive influence on our
“When I tell people this, their initial to not read the messages that flash up on workouts and mindset. For this reason,
reaction is panic. But exercise is a form of your screen. Having no screens allow us if your chosen tech isn’t improving your
self-love and many of us are strapped for to stay present.” wellbeing, ditch it.”

NATURAL HEALTH 17