There comes a time in every gadget junkie’s life where he or she realizes that this addiction is getting in the way of real life.  I know, I know, it’s hard to admit, but sometimes we get caught up in all of this glitzy technology and forget that there is more to life…like light, fresh air and even other people.

So every once in a while, though not too often, I advise taking a break from technology. Now, we don’t want to shock the system here, so try to make the breaks relatively small.  I’m fairly certain you can all survive an afternoon without technology.  That means everything – no Internet, no phones, no computers, tablets or Kindles, just you and the world.

In all seriousness, we get too caught up in the convenience of technology.  When was the last time you stood in line somewhere and actually looked at the people around you, instead of checking the stocks or weather on your smartphone?  When was the last time you used a real pen and paper to write out a list?  If you’re like me, your handwriting has deteriorated too far to salvage, but it’s still worth a try.

If you have a family, making a no-tech night a habit can be a great way to reconnect with each other and remember that eye contact is far superior to texting.

While technology is one of the greatest benefits to living in the modern world, it can easily overtake our lives and make us forget what really matters – the people in our lives.