Interruption, what does that word mean to you?

in·ter·rupt/ˌin(t)əˈrəpt/ stop the continuous progress of (an activity or process).

I would say most of us consider interruptions as a form of distraction. And something we try to avoid.

The times we live in call for consistency, routines and efficiency, right? Which is great and a very necessary part of daily life personally and professionally. We need to create habits that move us forward and provide positive results in our lives.

Correct me if I’m wrong but there hasn’t been a time where “living” has been so concentrated. The amount of activities, tasks and information being handled simultaneously is at an all time high.

We process and digest information at a greater rate than ever before. There is no “off switch” anymore.

But what’s the cost?

Are families as strong as they used to be? How long has it been since you’ve driven through your neighborhood and witnessed a father and son playing catch? Or the herd of kids riding their bikes up and down the streets.

In my day that’s how you knew where your friends where. The yard with all of the bikes laying out front… Lol.

All of this information and entertainment has become like a drug to our bodies. Our minds are addicted to the stimulation. If you don’t believe me try leaving your house without your phone.

Now I love technology and I make a very good living because of it. But I am very careful not to let my “life” be controlled by it.

But I am addicted to “Interruptions”.

What I mean is we tend to get into our routines. Going through our daily responsibilities whether that’s work, school, family time all of the demands at home from yard work etc. It’s easy to to follow the same routine day on and day out.

But that’s not what truly fills up your innerman.

Sometimes we need something outside of ourselves. We need an interruption to our daily rhythms.

For me I need the interruptions to return to my natural rhythms. Getting into the wilderness is vital to my overall health.

There is so much science and data to back it up as well. From sleep patterns to mental health. Being in the wilderness and outdoors is how we were designed to be. I don’t know if a single person who doesn’t enjoy shutting down their minds and just staring into a camp fire.

The fact that we need to have Blue light glasses to shield us from the night day inbalance caused by all of our devices shows how much our “routines” are reprogramming us from the inside out.

I would venture to say most of you reading this has had some trouble getting a good night’s sleep. Can’t seem to turn off the ‘ol brain and really relax before bed. The lack of natural light we’re exposed to vs the light received from electronics mess with our natural melatonin levels.

But even more than sleep it’s our minds that need rest, it’s our souls that are constantly tired.

If you’ve ever been an athlete of any kind or even just a member of a gym you’ll understand that hard work and pushing your limits is essential to building up a stronger body. But I think the other half of that is where people forget…. It’s the necessary rest after the hard work that actually rebuilds the muscles stronger. See during the “work” phase we are tearing down our bodies. If you stay in a constant state of tearing down you’re going to fatigue or get injured.

We can’t go go go nonstop. Rest is required to restore, rebuild and reset. Rest is key to being stronger, more effective and reaching those next levels.

I want to encourage you to interrupt your patterns and routines.

Go get outside! Whether that’s a park, beach or forest.

Go somewhere the noise of the modern world can’t be heard.

Go somewhere you don’t have a cell signal.

Go for a hike, or hang up a hammock (my personal favorite)

Just go!