Dec-Tech Yourself - Get Back to Nature

If you're over 40, you probably remember a time when there was no such thing as the internet, cable TV, or even fax machines. But now that our everyday lives depend on these things and other high tech devices, it's difficult to imagine how we ever managed without them. Many of us are so addicted to our cell phones and blackberries that we go through withdrawal if we accidentally leave home without them. Wrist watches are a dying breed since all of our electronic devices have digital clocks, and kids can't even tell time anymore on a conventional clock. Let's not even discuss Roman numerals.

Maybe it's time to get back to nature - back to human nature and mother nature. We have become robots - slaves to technology. What ever happened to going on vacation simply to relax? Even when we go camping we choose campgrounds with high speed internet and cable hook-ups. What would happen if we spent a week without our cell phones, blackberries, laptops and cable TV? Would we know what to do with ourselves? Would we actually have to hold meaningful conversations with other members of our families?

De-teching yourself is like detoxing. It might be difficult at first, but the benefits are worth the effort. Obviously some good can come out of having electronic devices in the middle of nowhere, like cell phones for emergency purposes and GPS devices to help you find your way. But vacations should be times when you can do things you normally don't do at home. Learn how to build a campfire. Stop and smell some flowers. Look at the birds. Collect some rocks. Fish. Hike. Row.

Too often we vacation at places that offer so much to do under one roof. What's wrong with that? Nothing really. After all, many of us have jobs that don't allow us much time off, so we feel the need to pack as much activity into one week (or weekend) as we possibly can. And we have to keep the kids busy and happy, right? How is that possible without video games? Well, you would probably be surprised at how long your kids can keep themselves busy when they have the great outdoors and only rocks and sticks to play with. You probably just never knew this because they are hooked up to their electronic devices 24/7 at home.

De-tech yourself. Get back to nature. Get back to being human. What have you got to lose? Stress? Maybe you'll even find something you've already lost - like your sanity.