4 Simple Ways to Disconnect from the World and Become a Happier Person

The world can be an overwhelming place. We’re constantly bombarded with information from the news, X, and social media. During the day, most of us receive non-stop communication in the forms of phone calls, text messages and emails.  Sometimes we’re inundated with other people’s needs.  And with all of that stuff swirling around us, it can be hard to find some measure of serenity in life.  That’s why, in order to be a content and happy person, you have to find ways to periodically disconnect from the world.

For many years, I made the mistake of being too involved with the world.  My time was consumed by family members who had never-ending needs or dramas.  And I constantly was distracted by nonsense on the Internet and current events.  So much time was wasted. 

But there came a point when I realized that I wasn’t living a life that I enjoyed.  My life was being consumed by the outside world.  As a result, I wasn’t spending my time thinking about those things that interested me. And my free time wasn’t being spent doing the things that I truly enjoyed.

So, I had to disconnect from the world in big and small ways.  I first had to limit my time with the people who exhausted me.  Then I had to dramatically reduce my time on the Internet. I also had to stop paying attention to world events that had absolutely nothing to do with me. 

The good news is that once I disconnected from the world, I began to really enjoy my life.  Interestingly, I found was that every time I disconnected in some way, I didn’t feel worse.  Instead, I felt dramatically better.  Even lighter.  With each disconnection, it was as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. 

What I discovered is that periodically disconnecting from the world is therapeutic.  We all need to disconnect from time to time.  We need to take regular breaks from other people and from society.  Those breaks allow us to mentally recharge.

The good news is that disengaging from the world doesn’t have to be complicated. Below are four simple ways to disconnect on a daily basis.  Follow these approaches to regularly disconnect from the world, and see how much happier you can be!

Do A Digital Detox

I’m nearly a thousand years old (or at least, I often feel that way!), and I grew up in an age when we didn’t have the Internet or computers.  So, back in the day, if I had to write a research paper, I went to the library, and I did my research using books.  Then I’d type my paper on a typewriter.

Oh my, how times have changed.  Computers, the Internet and iPhones (those little computers that fit inside the palms of our hands) are ubiquitous.  And while all of that technology is helpful, it also can create stress. 

For example, we regularly hear about the emotional stress caused by social media.  Unfortunately, social media isn’t just a means for harmless communication between friends and family members. Instead, it often serves as a way for people to compete about everything from how happy their families are to how fabulous their vacations are. 

Worse yet, we now have a 24-hour news cycle which is also stress-inducing. That’s because these days, the news providers aren’t trying to inform us.  Instead, they deliver the news in a fashion that’s designed to create drama and frustration. Bygone are the days when reporters simply reported the facts.

Even using the Internet can be stressful. Admittedly, the Internet has a lot of inspirational, informative content. But you’ll also find on the Internet folks spewing their poisonous, angry points of view.

That’s why it’s important to regularly disconnect from the world with a digital detox.  For example, every so often, I do a digital detox, and I just stop following the news.  And here’s a fun fact.  The worlds of domestic politics and foreign affairs don’t notice my absence!  That’s because what’s reported on the news has nothing to do with me or my quiet life in the countryside.  

In fact, I literally can stop following the news for three months, and when I return, not much will have changed.  Now, I’ll concede that the news is interesting.  But it’s also draining, at times.  For instance, the meanness and gross immaturity of our politicians is draining.  The cruelty of war is draining.  The fact that people can’t treat each other or the animals of our earth in a humane manner is draining.  And there is value in simply taking a hiatus from the news to give ourselves an emotional and mental break.

Now, I don’t use social media to communicate with family and friends, but I can imagine that that kind of communication is tiring as well.  Realize that the “group” communication that occurs on social media isn’t meaningful communication.  It’s just a way that that we talk at other people instead of with other people.  That’s because relationships are by their very nature intimate matters.  Once you turn communication into a group affair, it no longer serves to create an intimate connection with another human being. 

So, if you want to rejuvenate yourself mentally and emotionally, do a digital detox.  Take a break from the news and the Internet, and enjoy a respite from the nonsense of the world for a little while.  And consider also taking occasional breaks from social media. Instead, focus your time on developing your one-to-one relationships with others. 

Start a Daily Meditation Practice

Another wonderful way to disconnect from the world is through meditation.  Meditation is simply a way to quiet your mind and experience the present moment.  When we meditate, we aren’t fretting about the past or worrying about the future.  Instead, we simply are experiencing this exact moment in time.

Unfortunately, many people shy away from meditation because they think that it involves sitting still in a cross-legged position for an hour with their eyes closed.  That’s certainly one approach.  But realize that there are many ways to meditate! 

For instance, some folks meditate using a guided meditation.  Others meditate while walking in nature.  And some folks meditate through a yoga practice.  Frankly, it really doesn’t matter how you approach meditation.  The key is just to regularly do a quiet activity that allows you to fully experience the present moment. 

When we are fully engaged in the present moment, we aren’t distracted by the world and its issues.  Instead, we’ve disconnected from the world for a time, and we are choosing to pay attention to ourselves, our bodies and our immediate environment. 

Once you get into the habit of meditation, you’ll find that it’s a gift that you give to yourself.  I find it to be such a relief to say to myself, “For the next 15-20 minutes, my only task is to quiet my mind and be fully present.”  That’s all I have to do.  I don’t need to worry, fret or think about my To Do List.  Nor do I have to work, fold laundry or cook dinner. I just have one job: Be present.  What a great gift to give yourself once a day!

So, if you are seeking to disconnect from the world for even a short period each day, start a meditation practice.  Take a break from the whir of thoughts floating around your head, and just focus on the present moment.  While you meditate, pay close attention to your body, your breath and your immediate environment.  And then see how that brief disconnection from the world can truly lead to your having a more relaxed and peaceful mind.

Spend Time in Nature

An extremely pleasant way to disconnect from the world is to spend time in nature. When we spend time in nature, we give our brains a break from the racket of the world – the sound of the cars, folks blaring their music, construction noise, etc.   Instead, we take the opportunity to hear the sound of the breeze and the songs of the birds.  We commune with the trees, flowers, insects and animals. And that feels good! 

These days, I live in the countryside.  So, spending time in nature is very easy for me.  But in my younger years, I lived in cities, and as a city dweller, it took some creativity to find ways to experience nature. So, I made a point of spending time when I could in public parks.  Or, I took weekend trips to the country. 

Regardless of where you live, the key is to make it your priority to spend some time each day in nature.  When you do so, turn off the notifications on your phone. Then stick your phone in your pocket, and just enjoy your time outdoors. You might go for a walk.  Or you might sit on a bench and drink a cup of coffee.  When you do so, observe the trees, the sky and the birds.  Take in the majesty of the natural world.

Realize that your brain desperately needs outdoor time.  In fact, studies show that regular time outdoors can your lower blood pressure and decrease your stress. (If you are interested in learning more about this topic, you might consider reading this terrific article from the Yale School of the Environment.)

So, consider disconnecting from the world by immersing yourself in nature.  Stop looking at your screens and take some time to instead look at the flora and fauna.  If you do so, you’ll find that time in nature will lead you to be calmer and happier.

Do Some Solo Activities

One wonderful way that we can disconnect from society is by regularly doing activities on our own.  Now, I recognize that for some folks, solo activities are a struggle.  In fact, I’ve known several people over the years who simply cannot do activities on their own.  

There are many reasons why people struggle to do solo activities.  Some folks fear being alone with their own thoughts.  So, they need other people around them to distract them from the negative thoughts running through their brains.  Others have social anxiety, and they worry that doing things alone will make them appear to be unpopular.

But realize that it is psychologically important for you to do activities on your own.  To truly get a break from the world, you need to be able to do enjoyable things by yourself that don’t involve a screen.

The good news is that there are many wonderful solo activities that you can do to disconnect from the world.  For instance, you might take time each day to sit in a chair with a cup of tea or coffee and read a great book.  Or you might spend time doing creative activities like painting, knitting, gardening or woodworking.  The key is to find a solo activity that you truly enjoy. 

Unfortunately, sometimes in life, we don’t do solo activities because we’re trying to accommodate others by doing activities that they enjoy.  That’s fine on the rare occasion.  But that isn’t a psychologically healthy lifestyle.

A psychologically healthy lifestyle requires you to primarily do activities in your free time that you enjoy.  And some of those activities should be ones that you do by yourself.  Doing those kinds of solo activities allows you to get a break from the world and to recharge. And that is time well-spent!

If you are seeking to find ways to become a more relaxed, happier person, consider disconnecting from the world from time to time.  To do so, try some of the practices above.  Make it your priority to periodically take time away from the world to recharge your mind and rejuvenate your soul, and see how much happier and more at peace you can be.  (To read about how to make mindfulness a lifestyle, click here.)