Load shedding is without a doubt one of the worst things we have had to deal with as a country and unfortunately it isn’t going anywhere soon.
Despite the many hassles that come with load shedding, there are ways we could use it to our benefit. If you do not have the funds to get off the grid, there is no running away from it. Here are a few ways to make this nightmare beneficial to you.
Spend more time with family
Load shedding means less screen time which gives you more time to spend with your family, this time could be spend playing games with your children, conversing about the day as a family or even go for a walk in your neighbourhood.
Better Sleep
Switching off from technology may help you sleep better and for longer periods of time. According to the National Sleep Foundation in the United States, devices can disrupt our sleep for a variety of reasons, including:
- The blue light emitted by our cellphones, tablets, and televisions interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleeping patterns.
- Watching television or using your phone can make it difficult for your brain to shut down, making it difficult to fall asleep.
- After you’ve fallen asleep, notifications from your electronic devices can wake you up.
Less Stress
Our increasing reliance on technology is being linked to an increase in stress. A study published in Science Direct described how technology and media use affects stress levels in adolescents.
Notifications, e-mails, and phone calls – all of the features of our smartphones, tablets, and computers compete for our attention. To make matters worse, technology has created a culture of instant gratification, heightening the urgency of our responses. The ease of doing work with these devices leads to us doing more work, which, when combined with a lack of sleep, may lead to a buildup of stress over time.
Look at load-shedding as an enforced digital detox and spend the time engaging in stress-busting activities such as meditation, exercise or spending time with someone who makes you laugh.
Also see: long lasting ways to keep your food fresh during loadshedding
