Reflection: The Power of Unplugging

Broadcast on Nevis Radio.

Have you ever counted how many times you get a notification or check your phone in just one hour? Just a few months ago a study by Opal announced that, in the UK, people spend on average 5 hours 6 minutes a day on their phones. That’s about a quarter of the day. Young people spend even longer. We also receive hundreds of notifications, pinging and popping up all the time. 

Most of us are constantly connected, yet… somehow… disconnected from ourselves. Study after study shows that constant digital engagement rewires our brains, reducing our attention span and increasing anxiety.

It’s not like life wasn’t always busy, hectic, challenging – it’s just that the nature of the busyness and challenges change. I’m reminded of Jesus – son of God – when facing his biggest challenges would withdraw to private places to pray. Two thousand years later we’re rediscovering something he understood. Our minds and souls need an opportunity to step out of the busyness if we’re to thrive.  

One thing that’s been on the rise on mobile phones has been meditation apps, digital detoxes and anti-stress games. We’re desperately seeking… something. 

There are lots of stories of retreating in the Bible, even if just for a short time. When Moses received the Ten Commandments, he was alone on a mountain. When Elijah heard God’s “still small voice,” it wasn’t in the noise but in the silence.

When was the last time you experienced true silence – no notifications, no background noise, just stillness?

Prayer offers a different way – not just turning off our phones, but turning toward something greater – the one who created it all. It’s about creating space where we can, as Psalm 46 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” This isn’t just religious practice; it’s spiritual survival in a noisy world.