Welcome to week 8 Friday Round-up.

This was last week's invitation:

"This week's mission possible is short and sweet: book and execute some screen - free time.

The intention behind this mission is to serve as a reset button:  temporarily disconnect to be able to reconnect fully."

How did it go?

Today I want to talk about the science of screen-free time, and invite you - if you are willing - to create some dedicated screen-free time in your schedule.

I personally found disconnecting incredibly challenging - both because a lot of my work happens to be on a screen of some sort, and also because whenever I am stressed or anxious I am drawn to a screen like a fly to the honey.

There's enough research to prove conclusively that screens are changing the way we interact - we can certainly see it in our own lives - but are there any other consequences to the ever increasing screen usage?

It took me a bit of time to see what was right in front of me: screens and computer interactions change the way human nervous system works (how did I not see this before I honestly don't know). Understanding this is of particular importance for those of us who live with a sensitive nervous system.

I want to linger with the idea of a sensitive nervous system for a moment longer, and propose that for many of us who have been gifted with a touchy nervous system, persistent pain is just one facet of our lives. For most of us - myself included - there's also insomnia, touchy digestion, and the ever-unsettled state of mind (anxiety, guilt, and worry are my friendly monsters:). Many sensitive nervous system folk are influenced and affected deeply by our external environment. Once we acknowledge that, managing our surroundings, including screen usage, becomes imperative if we want to live the life of peace and balance.

I've seen a few of my friends just dropping off FB. They do it for a month, or so, and then they reappear - and with a vengeance. Technology isn't going away any time in the future - if anything, we will be surrounded by more and more screens and digital interactions. So I believe, the trick isn't to stomp our feet in an ultimatum - "I hate facebook!" - but rather to manage our screen time mindfully on a daily / weekly / monthly basis. And, of course, the value of a long disconnect cannot be overstated - as long as we can understand that this is just a temporary pause.

So today, this week, and going forward I want to invite you to create clear boundaries about your screen and screen - free time.

This sometimes is easier said then done, so here are some ideas:

~ start small

~ define exact day / time / amount of time when this is going to happen

~ avoid worlds like "try, aim for " - they are just escape words

~ get accountable

I am thinking of creating a FB community or a group (not sure yet) in which we can hold each other accountable. I know, sounds completely counter intuitive - but remember, our goal is to leverage technology to our advantage, not to avoid it.

Here are some interesting sciency articles and videos on screen usage:

Amy Cuddy on how Your Iphone is Ruining Your Mood and Your Posture

Simon Sinek on Millenials and Dopamine High

Jacqueline Howard on How Internet is Changing Our Brain

In the spirit of screen time management, this is it for us today!

A bit more on structure and movement next week.

We've done a lot of fascinating (well, I happen to think so anyway!) movement exploring in the past two weeks, so in the next Friday follow up I'll dish out on all the details about those cheeky moves we've been employing lately.

Oh, and before I forget - SPRING YOGA REGISTRATIONS - are opening on Sunday, February 26.

You will, of course, be the first ones to have access to all the spring yoga goodness.

Lots of hugs!

Julia