S3NSE: Coming to Your S3NSES

“Lose your mind and come back to your senses.”

~ Frederick Salomon

Did I really average over ten hours of screen time last week?  It’s not good when your phone and computer are telling you are on them too much.  I’d like to think most of this time is being used productively:  writing blogs, creating music, practicing guitar, running my business, keeping up with family and friends.  But my social media numbers suggest otherwise.  I fear Betty White was right:  FaceBook is a big waste of time.  But even worse, what is it doing to my health?

Studies have shown that excessive screen time results in higher rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.  It also creates such physical problems as eye strain, neck, shoulder or back pain.  There is also a spiritual cost to screen addiction.  It diminishes our focus, self reflection and creates unfair comparisons to others.  This causes a disconnection from the greater physical and spiritual worlds.  It’s unrealistic for me to stop using my computer and phone.  How can I create well-being and still benefit from today’s technology?

Perhaps the answer is finding time to unplug the mind and come to the senses.  We have five senses:  sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing.  How are they affected by technology?  Put the phone away and eat your favorite food, does it taste and smell better?  The next time you go to a concert, do not watch it through your phone.  Do you feel more present and involved with the music?  What other parts of life are more enjoyable without the phone or computer?

Feldenkrais® lessons are also a great way to unplug the mind and plug into your senses.  They integrate your internal senses to the external environment.  Group movement classes, called Awareness Through Movement® lessons, focus on turning verbal instructions into movements.  This is very useful for developing the skills to turn intentions into effective actions.  The individual sessions (Functional Integration®) use the sense of touch to enhance self image and self use.  In this complex technical age, isn't it time we came to our www.s3nse.org?