Digital Detox: How I Survived (With a Little Help From......Dr. Deepak Chopra and friends!)

I had the opportunity to experiment becoming unplugged by escaping the tech universe for a couple of days and chilling out with the Chopra Center. This was a dream come true! I had the privilege of attending the Living in Balance Retreat through The Chopra Center, which was held at a lovely setting, the Sheraton Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa. While attending I also participated in my own self-imposed digital detox from the usual suspects, my Mac Book Pro, my new iPhone (way beyond my skill set, with all the bells and whistles) and iPad.The experience was a delight for all of the senses. Detoxing from the matrix of technology and all the accoutrements while learning a comprehensive approach to a healthy, balanced lifestyle was just what the Doctor ordered.
In celebration of March 9 National Day of Unplugging, I was prepped by four jam packed days listening to best experts in functional medicine. The Chopra Center Medical experts on the leading edge, sharing the latest in self-care and the Ayurveda, the Ancient healing tradition.
According to the recent study from Pew research, they were able to establish a measurement for stress that is known as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). To do so they created a list of 10 questions for participants to answer, which explored the relationship between a variety of digital technology uses and psychological stress.

Dr. Deepak Chopra explaining the benefits of Primordial Sound Meditation and getting unplugged!

“These technologies are said to takeover people’s lives, creating time and social pressures that put people at risk from the negative physical and psychological health effects that can result from stress.”

Because of this increased stress, there is a growing emphasis on overall well-being and wellness sweeping through modern culture. It is also a backlash from the influx of new addictions such as the fears of not being connected, like problematic internet use or nomophobia (no-mobile-phone-phobia). With the fast paced onslaught of technological advancements, there are now scientific studies finding a rising trend in anxiety disorders around not having access to a mobile phone.
The best way I’ve found to combat these modern day stressors is to commit to a mindful meditation practice. We learned how to do the Primordial Sound Meditation.
In addition to basic principles of Ayurveda, which focus on the mind-body connection, eating a balanced diet of six tastes, (sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter, and astringent) there are several key points.

In Ayurveda, the five elements that are found in all living things—ether, air, fire, water, and earth—are the building blocks of life. While this foundation unites all humans, the manifestation of those elements through the doshas is what gives rise to our differences. How the three doshas appear, and in what proportion, is what makes each of us unique.

These are some of my favorite take aways from the Living in Balance Event (and what I am attempting to abide) for a weekend day without my tech devices. (Maybe even just a few hours would be good.)

Me and Dr. D at the "You Are The Universe" Book signing, 2017