08 Feb #logoffforlove this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day. Whether we view it as a holiday on a par with Christmas, or snub it as another money-making invention by card companies, it’s hard to ignore the opportunity to do something to show our loved ones how much we care.
However, no matter how wonderfully thoughtful the plans you have made for Valentine’s Day, they won’t be complete if you’re glued to your screen. To really participate in Valentine’s Day we need to be present and fully in the moment with our loved ones.
Unsurprisingly, research has found that the more often someone gets ‘phubbed‘ (phone snubbed) by their partner, the less satisfied they are with their romantic relationship. With Valentine’s Day approaching, we need to figure out how to get our technology use under control so that it doesn’t have a negative impact on our relationships.
Valentine’s Day is about making your significant other feel special. How can you do this when you refuse to give them your full attention? We need to learn to live through each other, and not through our screens. This is why every year we run our #logoffforlove campaign.
6 Do’s and Don’ts to #logoffforlove this Valentine’s Day
DO Write a card
Whilst sending a quick text to let your partner know how much you appreciate them requires less planning, it just can’t beat the feeling of receiving a card. Knowing that you have invested time and attention into picking out a card and then filling it with a meaningful message will make your partner feel miles more special than any emoji ever could.
DO Put your phone away during dinner
Spending time together requires more than just being sat on the same table at a restaurant. Dinners together can be a wonderful way to take a break from our hectic lives and spend quality time together, but checking your phone throughout dinner signals that you are not fully invested in your partner. Give them your full attention; put it on do not disturb so that even the buzzing of notifications won’t be a distraction.
DO Choose a screen-free activity
Whilst movies are great, wouldn’t it be nice to interact with the other a little more? Even if you are concentrated on the same thing, having your eyes fixed to a screen, with parallel lines of sight, does not invite the same intimacy and affection that other activities would. Do something like cooking together, or go for a walk: anything that involves face-to-face communication and interaction.
DON’T check social media
Again, you’re spending time together, so why would you want to shift your focus onto what others are doing at this moment? In fact, many even find that their partner’s love of social media feels like there is a third person in the relationship. Show your partner that you are fully invested in them by not allowing them to become a third wheel to you and your phone.
DON’T check your phone before bed
Having your phone in the bedroom is just not a good idea. It compromises your sleep, is not exactly an aphrodisiac, and checking it before bed yet again signals to your partner that you are more interested in other people’s lives and stories right now than theirs.
DO Continue this all year
These tips aren’t just for Valentine’s Day – they’re great habits to adopt in order to establish a healthier relationship with our tech. We need to be reminded to prioritise our human relationships. These steps should be good starting points towards overcoming our addition to our phones. Good luck, and have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
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