We have stepped into an era where avoiding the digital space is no more a choice. We are bound to use it. Since the technological revolution, we have become more hooked to our devices than ever. Almost 83.72% of the world’s population is on smartphone devices now! 

The numbers are a mere reflection of what’s consuming us. Be it anxiety or a constant feeling of checking your notifications. We have all been there. And therefore, it becomes central for us to understand the practice of the digital sabbath for greater well-being.

The insights about the concept are explored here. In the following blog, we will be covering the mentioned sections;

• What is Digital Sabbath?
• Why do you need Digital Sabbath?
• How can Digital Sabbath fail?
• How can you achieve it?

What is Digital Sabbath?

The term we have been seeking is here. Digital Sabbath, in simple terms, means a day’s break from digital technology. The act is done voluntarily. This is to ensure that we stay off our devices for a day a week and spend our time elsewhere feeling more agile and connected. The central goal of this task is to reduce the alarming screen times we are exposed to. Sabbath is a biblical term that hints at a day’s rest. That is, it refers to the practice of a break from work for a day. Just like God rested.

James Kelly coined the term in 2016 after being inspired by the term from Judaism and since then has helped many who expressed a desire to have digital free rest.

The way you undertake this varies from person to person.
Anything and everything that contributes to your time away from the screen.

Say,
Reading
Gardening
Spending time with family 

Or anything that defines it for each individual.

Why do you need a digital sabbath?

We said you need a digital sabbath as it is no more limited to want. We need that screen break! The same is a requisite now, and we got reasons to support this need.
So, for example, let’s take this statistic

This is just a mere comparison of how this has become worrisome for people over the years. The other reasons why you need this are also very critical in today’s perspective. 

If studies are to be believed, an average person today checks their phone 50-80 times a day! 

Constant time on the phone often drives one to restlessness. Because we become fidgety and are always on the lookout for information. Today, therefore, a large chunk of us suffers from information overload because there’s too much available for consumption. 

There is a wave of anxiety that hits us. When we are not able to check our phones for some time, this is hazardous. 

The affect

According to the nonprofit organization Humane Technology, excessive usage is taking a massive toll. As it is exposing us to 

depression, 

loneliness, 

Isolation,

reduced empathy and 

lack of focus
All these factors are impacting our lives today. The sooner we realize, the better we cope and embrace the “digital sabbath.”

Another reason to consider this is the constant feeling of being drained. On average, 70% of Twitter users confirm browsing the social media site. While 566 times a day, we switch tasks on the computer and check our emails 74 times a day.
We have become obsessed with the influx of so much available at the click of a button. 

In addition to this, social media sites are, as per the Centre for Humane Technology, in a “zero-sum race for limited attention,” as stated by The Hindu. This infers that these sites have created the attention hook on deliberation that goes on and ultimately drains us out. 
As a matter of fact, people are indeed trying hard to embrace the idea of unplugging from their digital world. Here’s how people are coping. 

The statistics are constantly revised. But the idea is clear. We are affecting ourselves with so much digital immersion.

People who have embraced this are seeing the results. With a larger lot quoting the experience as ‘refreshing.’

But the practice isn’t as easy as it sounds. Taking a digital Sabbath comes with obvious downfalls. More of this is dealt with in our next section. 

How can a digital sabbath fail?

The practice is derived from the idea of having a day’s break. Which actually refers to channeling your energy elsewhere and not doing something that takes up. So far we have stressed how important it is and the repercussions it can have on oneself. 

But this practice goes on for a toss if we fail to realize the true purpose.

• We have a life that practically circles around cellphones and the applications that lie in them. Even the time we take off goes into browsing something (the mindless browsing syndrome).
  
• The tech-driven sabbath or break is also not helping some because the technological advancements were meant to connect. So the disconnect is somehow not exactly helping.
   
• With the economies becoming faster, our tasks are cramming up in that same 24 hours. Which often results in a feeling of “time is going faster.”
  This implies one thing, we need more time than a sabbath now because the activity clocks are almost full.

• Therefore, the true meaning lies in understanding the practice. This means us rebuilding the physical world’s connections and moments. 

• Another thing that takes the practice haywire is our strict enforcement of it. The same is not necessary. We have to spend more time taking a break. No, the practice has to be undertaken depending on our feasibility. It can be a smaller break, a few hours to an hour, or any engagement that doesn’t feel like work. 
  
  So yes, we need a sabbath that helps us feel “that more time.”

How can you achieve it?

Since we are talking about the sabbath, we also need to emphasize how you can achieve it despite the forces working to make it a disaster.

Note: These are the practices people across have taken and improved the break tenure.

• People have been trying the digital space detox and have come up with innovative ways. One such is diverting the glare from screens to books/ journals/ magazines. These are available digitally, too, but embracing physical copies help the sabbath time. 

• Another way that’s helping people with their digital break is the type of screen that defines their break. Many people count not watching television as a part of their break.

• Setting your limit for observing the break is essential. Not everyone observes or can observe it for an entire day. An hourly cap of digital break or a defined engagement is all that you need.

• The whole idea of the Sabbath is to observe a time that gives you or makes you feel that break. So ensure spending it as a time that relaxes you—spending time with loved ones, engaging in a time that involves everyone around. 

• Some people have even had luck with no electricity Sunday. It is a practice where they cut off from power supplies and spend it outdoors indulging in leisure activities. 

• Make it a habit. Nothing works better than following a routine. Once we observe the digital sabbath in regularity. Then people around also help us have that break. Say if we familiarize them with why we were not available on “Sunday,” or any day you take an off, the questions will end, and people will let us observe it.

Conclusion

And it’s a wrap here with the idea of a digital sabbath! What all we could learn and help you brief is here. This as a concept has always triggered our thinking as to why it is garnering attention. On exploring, we realized the fascinating concept and chunked out the piece in front of you. 

 If you have any queries or want to share anything, drop a comment below and let us know. Also, if you wish to connect with us, connect here. To know more about us, check out our following social handles:
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When we discuss the subject today, LinkedIn already has 706 million active accounts across 200 territories! Yes, it is this huge. The professional social networking site hosts everyone from recruiters/ employers to firms to job-seeking candidates to the ones scouting for professional ideas. It has been around before Facebook, Twitter, and, of course, Snapchat and Instagram, but LinkedIn has gained momentum now.

In the following blog, we have attempted to identify the importance of LinkedIn, the benefits of LinkedIn, and not to forget the ill-effects it might possess.

Here’s the blog flow for you before we proceed to its depths.

• What is LinkedIn?
• Why is it essential now?
• The benefits of LinkedIn
• The ill effects of LinkedIn

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is no different than the other commonly known social platform, Facebook. But the innovative way it provides for presenting one’s resume is something to check out. With this, you don’t have to struggle in cramming your achievements. Your records and your accomplishments. 

A LinkedIn profile helps one build a resume that you don’t have to personally send. Anyone who visits your profile will see it all. The professional networking site also helps you learn relevant courses and add them to your name. 

Sounds interesting? The more you get into the site, the more waiting for you. 

So yes, in a nutshell, LinkedIn lets you present yourself with your best professional foot forward. 

Why is it essential now?

Now, this is what brings us to the core of this blog. Why is it essential? What is the importance of LinkedIn today? 

With the ‘what,’ the definition of the platform is distinct and clear. Now looking into ‘why it’s essential,’ here are points to ponder. 

It brings you into the recruiter’s search

The best part of being updated with your profile is that you pop up in your recruiter’s search. If you have the relevant skill mentioned in your profile, your chances of falling on that list are extremely high. As 87% of recruiters use it frequently, make sure you put yourself out there.

Job search is active

With LinkedIn, you constantly get job opening/ job opportunity updates based on your job alert. You can take follow-ups from the hiring managers. Find and locate your ideal firm, and connect with their respective teammates. Thus, your search gets much more active.

The reach is global 

With LinkedIn, you reach a massive global audience as it is not limited to your native country/ territory only. You can connect with people from all around the globe. Thus, leading to more fruitful and informative people for your knowledge base that increases your chances of landing your dream job. 

Industry news will be at your fingertips

People use LinkedIn as a professional network that also brings the best from the industry. The latest news and the ongoing discussions are all a great part of the active circuit. Following certain industry experts to certain hashtags can help you here. 

Personal branding at its best 

LinkedIn is one of the best platforms to showcase all of your capabilities and harp on networking opportunities. What you do and what you wish the world to know can be easily put forward in your profile. It makes you look professionally sound. So mentioning your skills, your certifications, your volunteering, all of it plays a major role. 

Helps in company research

The platform has been ideal for people to identify the companies they would like to work for or with. This helps you learn the pros and cons and connect with the company’s vital resources. That is, you learn about how the company works, what it highlights, and how the company is being spoken about. All this will fall under your lens. Ensuring you complete transparency. 

The benefits of LinkedIn

So far, we have seen why LinkedIn has become essential today. The next in line to this is the benefits. The benefits of LinkedIn, therefore, are as follows.

• It will benefit you if it’s a part of your job application. We say this because many firms now have switched to online applications. You must have seen that now you also get an ‘easy apply’ option on your LinkedIn applications. So you see, it is aiding in your application fulfillment!

• It is free of cost. Of course, the paid version comes with many additional features. But the free site also gives an enriching experience. 

• Brings a plethora of networks. That is, you can always connect and expand your network. There is no limit to that. You can connect to your teammates, possible recruiters, industry experts, college alumni, and those you wish to connect with. This helps your learning, gives insights, and helps you land your desired job role. 

• You can join LinkedIn groups for better reception of information. Leaving a few, the rest are informative and help your knowledge base. This will contribute to leads and ideas. 

• LinkedIn lets you have social endorsements for your skills and work. You can always ask your fellow or past colleague to share recommendations for you. As this boosts your profile in the network and adds to your credibility. 

When explored and utilized, these benefits help in the promotion of your profile. So make sure you do that well. 

Find your right profile today!

The ill effects of LinkedIn

This social media site has cons too! Surprising that we are saying this, but it’s true. While it comes with many benefits and reasons that affirm the importance of LinkedIn, here are a few that you should be careful about. 

It can get expensive-

LinkedIn often prompts you to avail of the ‘premium.’ While the version lets you see who saw your profile and lets you avail for the jobs, the recruiter can see the premium badge against your name ‘featured applicant.’ Indicating that you paid for the job. Plus, you have to shell out a certain amount to maintain that premium. While there are some amazing benefits too.

It can become your regular mindless browsing-

True, the platform is rich with resources and can help one’s branding. But it is a social media site that runs on engagement algorithms. There can be tons of job postings that may not suit you yet pop up for your search. And there is always a high chance of you losing the track and mindlessly browsing on it, just like Facebook and Instagram. 

It can create a social pressure-

Not every time you go through LinkedIn it gives you a good impression. It often has adverse effects mentally. Often there is a lot to see. Your mind hits a roadblock, leaving you to feel dejected. Plus, a lot of this pressurizes maintaining a certain level of LinkedIn activity to look well.  

So the point is that everything you do on the platform comes with a set of pros and cons. It’s on you how to filter that for your betterment.

Conclusion 

The importance of LinkedIn and its discussion receives a halt here. As we have neared the end of this blog. The aim of this was to enlighten you on the provisions and also give you the slight hint of demerit it can possess. 

If you wish to share your thoughts on this, drop a comment below and let us know. Or, if you have any queries/ questions or wish to connect with us, click here. We will be happy to help. 

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We hope our blog served you well. Hoping to keep you updated always. Till then, keep reading. 

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