Saturday, October 10, 2015
Massachusetts Parent Speaks on Wi-Fi Health Risks to State Lawmakers
Massachusetts Parent Speaks on Wi-Fi Health Risks to State Lawmakers
Digital detox with Design Hotels™
Digital detox with Design Hotels™
- Category: Hotel
- Created on Friday, 25 September 2015 09:30
Insólito Boutique Hotel, Búzios, Brazil
Located just two hours away from the bright lights of Rio de Janeiro, the 24-room Insólito Boutique Hotel couldn’t be further from the urban metropolis in spirit. Perched on a rocky hillside overlooking the stunning Ferradura Beach, the hotel embodies the tranquility and relaxed atmosphere of a private home, while promoting a meaningful connection with the environment. The solar-powered guestrooms have been individually designed by owner Emmanuelle de Clermont Tonnerre with arts and crafts by local artisans alongside sustainable furniture crafted by Brazilian carpenters from reclaimed timber.
Wiesergut, Hinterglemm, Austria
When Originals Josef Sepp and Martina Kroll transformed a 13th century family estate into the 24-room retreat, Wiesergut, organic warmth and comfort were at the forefront of the design and concept. Located in the valley of Hinterglemm, just a couple of hours outside of Salzburg, the contemporary refuge offers the slowed rhythms of mountain life. The Alpine hideaway’s homespun luxury comes in the form of locally produced furniture and textiles, and the sublime locale – steps away from top-notch hiking and skiing. The hotel’s garden suites have spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows which flood the interiors with sunlight, as well as cultivating the slippage between inside and out, old and new.
Hotel La Semilla, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Carefree simplicity reigns at the 9-room Hotel la Semilla, located a stone’s throw from the shores of Playa del Carmen. The building, which dates back to 1990, has been minimally refurbished by architect Jaime Inglemo to retain its local authenticity. Natural materials such as stone, polished concrete, and bricks were used to create the hotel’s earthy vibe. A soothing neutral color palette pervades all spaces, and plenty of lounging nooks afford ample idle moments. Suites, such as the Terraza, even have outdoor baths for the ultimate laidback lifestyle.
Laluna, St George, Grenada
Surrounded by emerald hills, crystal waters, and leafy bougainvillea-filled grounds, Laluna is Grenada's hidden secret. Sixteen traditional thatched-roof cottages designed by Gabriella Guintoli and Carmelina Santoro feature open-air bathrooms and bedrooms that open onto bamboo-framed verandas with plunge pools. To aid in the unwinding, daily beachfront yoga classes of Hatha, Kundalini and Vinyasa are on offer while the Asian Spa program focuses on traditional Balinese massage techniques.
Vigilius Mountain Resort, Lana, Italy
With a location in South Tyrol 1,500 meters above sea level and only accessible by cable car, unplugging is practically mandatory at the 41-room Vigilius Mountain Resort. Here, Milan-based architect Matteo Thun used wood and glass to blur the lines between architecture and nature. Surrounded by the ever-changing colors of the Dolomites, sample tried-and-tested Tyrolian skin treatments using ground apple and corn peels, take up aqua pilates, or feast in one of the world-class restaurants. Any remaining stress or worries will soon be eased away by the pure and crisp Alpine air.
The Surin Phuket, Thailand
Nestled into a beachfront coconut grove on Pansea Bay’s shores, The Surin Phuket’s 103 cottages and suites were created by architect and designer Ed Tuttle with the guiding philosophy that wherever one looks, an interesting perspective can be seen. An easy blend of purity, serenity and an attention to nature is achieved with panels of woven palm fronds, granite floors, and natural materials. Relaxation takes many forms in paradise, from seaside dining at The Beach restaurant, swimming in the onyx-tiled pool, to the three nearby golf courses.
Located just two hours away from the bright lights of Rio de Janeiro, the 24-room Insólito Boutique Hotel couldn’t be further from the urban metropolis in spirit. Perched on a rocky hillside overlooking the stunning Ferradura Beach, the hotel embodies the tranquility and relaxed atmosphere of a private home, while promoting a meaningful connection with the environment. The solar-powered guestrooms have been individually designed by owner Emmanuelle de Clermont Tonnerre with arts and crafts by local artisans alongside sustainable furniture crafted by Brazilian carpenters from reclaimed timber.
Wiesergut, Hinterglemm, Austria
When Originals Josef Sepp and Martina Kroll transformed a 13th century family estate into the 24-room retreat, Wiesergut, organic warmth and comfort were at the forefront of the design and concept. Located in the valley of Hinterglemm, just a couple of hours outside of Salzburg, the contemporary refuge offers the slowed rhythms of mountain life. The Alpine hideaway’s homespun luxury comes in the form of locally produced furniture and textiles, and the sublime locale – steps away from top-notch hiking and skiing. The hotel’s garden suites have spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows which flood the interiors with sunlight, as well as cultivating the slippage between inside and out, old and new.
Hotel La Semilla, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Carefree simplicity reigns at the 9-room Hotel la Semilla, located a stone’s throw from the shores of Playa del Carmen. The building, which dates back to 1990, has been minimally refurbished by architect Jaime Inglemo to retain its local authenticity. Natural materials such as stone, polished concrete, and bricks were used to create the hotel’s earthy vibe. A soothing neutral color palette pervades all spaces, and plenty of lounging nooks afford ample idle moments. Suites, such as the Terraza, even have outdoor baths for the ultimate laidback lifestyle.
Laluna, St George, Grenada
Surrounded by emerald hills, crystal waters, and leafy bougainvillea-filled grounds, Laluna is Grenada's hidden secret. Sixteen traditional thatched-roof cottages designed by Gabriella Guintoli and Carmelina Santoro feature open-air bathrooms and bedrooms that open onto bamboo-framed verandas with plunge pools. To aid in the unwinding, daily beachfront yoga classes of Hatha, Kundalini and Vinyasa are on offer while the Asian Spa program focuses on traditional Balinese massage techniques.
Vigilius Mountain Resort, Lana, Italy
With a location in South Tyrol 1,500 meters above sea level and only accessible by cable car, unplugging is practically mandatory at the 41-room Vigilius Mountain Resort. Here, Milan-based architect Matteo Thun used wood and glass to blur the lines between architecture and nature. Surrounded by the ever-changing colors of the Dolomites, sample tried-and-tested Tyrolian skin treatments using ground apple and corn peels, take up aqua pilates, or feast in one of the world-class restaurants. Any remaining stress or worries will soon be eased away by the pure and crisp Alpine air.
The Surin Phuket, Thailand
Nestled into a beachfront coconut grove on Pansea Bay’s shores, The Surin Phuket’s 103 cottages and suites were created by architect and designer Ed Tuttle with the guiding philosophy that wherever one looks, an interesting perspective can be seen. An easy blend of purity, serenity and an attention to nature is achieved with panels of woven palm fronds, granite floors, and natural materials. Relaxation takes many forms in paradise, from seaside dining at The Beach restaurant, swimming in the onyx-tiled pool, to the three nearby golf courses.
Unplugged Weekends And Device-Free Bedrooms: This Is What Digital Detox Means In 2015
Unplugged Weekends And Device-Free Bedrooms: This Is What Digital Detox Means In 2015
Posted: Updated:
There's no denying that many of us are overwhelmingly obsessed with technology. Nearly half of adults are "completely hooked" to their smartphones, a recent report from Ofcom revealed. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds (61%) of under 24s are addicted to their devices and almost half (49%) check their phone within five minutes of waking up.
"For the first time, smartphones are the UK’s most popular internet device and are now the hub of our daily lives," said Ofcom's director of research James Thickett. He's right - the average person checks their phone every six-and-a-half minutes.
With over 200 million new mobile users expected in the next 12 months globally, this situation isn't going to go away.
But what's the solution?
In 2015, the concept of digital detox has evolved to the point where it's no longer about switching off devices and sending out smoke signals.
Instead, it's for people who want to become more mindful of how much time they spend glued to their screens. It's about taking time out from devices every now and then to engage and reconnect with real people and the real world.
And if you don't think it's needed, then do a quick headcount of the number of people you see walking on the street with their heads buried in their smartphones. Or people filming a gig rather than immersing themselves in the music.
The idea of the digital detox has been harnessed by some of the brightest minds in the media and technology, who understand there's a need to become aware of device usage so wellbeing doesn't suffer.
The idea of the digital detox has been harnessed by some of the brightest minds in the media and technology, who understand there's a need to become aware of device usage so wellbeing doesn't suffer.
Arianna Huffington has spoken extensively about the importance of having a device-free bedroom. Similarly, Randi Zuckerberg (her brother is Mark Zuckerberg who founded Facebook, you might've heard of him) has a digital-free day each week.
They are proof that digital detox isn't about banning technology altogether but rather improving and evolving the balance between using it to better our lives and simply allowing it to take over.
James Eades, 34, runs an IT business and, as a result, is immersed in tech 24/7. After the birth of his child, Eades became increasingly aware of the amount of time he spent on his devices. So he decided to reassess how much time he spent plugged in so he could spend more "uninterrupted time" with his child.
After (somewhat ironically) hearing about the concept of digital detox on social media, he decided to unplug from all of his devices, except the television, for 24 hours.
"I was expecting to find it very difficult, but actually enjoyed the first time and felt extremely relaxed," he tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle. "It was a breath of fresh air to not have constant information attacking me from social media, emails and the news."
Since his detoxification, Eades regularly has an "unplug day" and is far more conscious of spending less time on his devices. He also strongly believes that being connected all the time could play havoc on mental health.
"It's normal for us to constantly receive information all day long, whether that’s through email, social media, general internet use or push notifications, and it’s only when we totally detox that we realise how much time we spend consuming digital media instead of enjoying time with each other or our surroundings," he reflects.
"I’m convinced that too much information is causing a lot of mental health problems, whether that’s anxiety, stress or more serious issues."
The concept of digital detox isn't just something that can be applied to the lives of individuals. It can benefit businesses too.
Martin Talks is the chief non-digital officer from a company called Digital Detoxing, which runs unplugging programmes for companies. "We look at ways to ensure people are healthier, happier and more productive at work through a positive relationship with technology," he explains.
Talks believes that people are left feeling constantly stressed, anxious, distracted and lacking in creativity because of the "bombardment of emails, calls and social media". It can also affect team spirit, as workers are more likely to "socially snub colleagues" by looking at their phones mid-conversation, and sometimes workers' attendance levels drop because of stress.
When this happens, the team from Digital Detoxing step in to put together a series of activities and measures to help businesses and staff get the best out of each other. But minus the tech.
The company runs 'Digital Detoxing Adventures' which aims to get people out of auto-pilot and gives them a chance to reassess what they are doing. "We take groups away to beautiful locations, remove their technology and get them to reconnect with the world around, each other and themselves," says Talks.
They also hold workplace audits to see how effective the workplace is both physically and virtually. The company will then make suggestions as to how to make their work space better. Finally, they conduct mindfulness courses where they teach mindfulness techniques including meditation, effective breathing and ways to make people feel in the moment rather than worrying about things outside their control.
The goal is "happier, healthier and more productive workforces".
The idea of getting away on a digital detox holiday isn't new, but there are now retreats which teach people how to step away from devices.
Lucy Pearson co-founded Unplugged Weekend, which hosts device-free weekends for groups at a cost of roughly £500 per person. Instead of scrolling through Instagram for hours on end, they practise mindfulness and meditation.
Pearson says their typical clientele is young professionals, but they also entertain families and middle-aged people. People attend for a wide variety of reasons including to switch off from never-ending work emails, meet and connect with new people or because they’ve realised they spend far too much time on their devices and not enough time with their families.
It sounds intense, but does it actually stick?
Natalie Kent, 28, is a health coach who booked herself on to Unplugged Weekend after feeling like her life was being ruled by her devices. "I wanted a complete switch off," she says. "I was looking forward to a break from the city, I wanted quiet and no glaring lights."
After her weekend away with Unplugged, her head felt clearer and she was more "refreshed". But it didn't take long for her to switch back to old habits once she got home. "At the start I was very good and removed Facebook from my phone as an app and tried to not use my phone when on public transport or walking," she reveals. "But I'm afraid to say those bad habits have slipped back."
Despite this, she says the retreat has made her much more aware of how much time she spends on her devices.
"The idea of living without them is unrealistic, it's crucial for my job. However the one thing I have implemented is not checking my phone in the morning until I've finished my morning hot water and lemon. It's now not the first thing I look at."
"The idea of living without them is unrealistic, it's crucial for my job. However the one thing I have implemented is not checking my phone in the morning until I've finished my morning hot water and lemon. It's now not the first thing I look at."
So that's digital detox for adults. But what about the entire generation who live and breathe tech by the time they hit 11?
One school that has actively tried to encourage pupils to unplug is The Old Hall school in Shropshire. Earlier this year, the school held a digital detoxing week where students were asked to find ways to amuse themselves which didn't involve digital devices.
Martin Stott, headteacher of the school, has openly aired his concerns that children are interacting with real people less which results in them struggling in social situations later on in life, because they are less able to read body language and facial expressions properly.
"You often see children in restaurants with iPads to entertain them while mum and dad chat over dinner," Stott previously told The Times. "It erodes family time and they’re missing out on messages from body language and facial expressions from those around them. People watching is a great pastime for many but I think it’s been lost to a degree."
Stott believes that parents are hugely influential in helping youngsters switch off. "I think parents would find it more difficult than their children, especially as a lot of business is done via mobile phones," he said. "I’m not saying people shouldn’t phone each other, but don’t go on the screen for games and leisure. Spend more time talking to each other instead."
James Eades says that as a parent, he is still trying to get to grips with how he's going to bring up his daughter in the digital age.
"I want her to have access to technology and to be skilled at using it ready for school and the workplace, but I’m equally determined to make sure that she experiences life away from it," says Eades.
"We hope to have tech-free evenings at home, tech-free holidays and to make sure she is exposed to experiences that we both had as children like time in the outdoors doing activities like cycling, fishing and exploring."
It's something adults can benefit from too - we'd be much better off being outdoors or spending time with our loved ones than flipping between two (or three) devices in front of the TV.
Technology has given us plenty of things to be grateful for. But there's no getting away from the fact that as it evolves - whether it's the advance of wearable tech or the increase in mobile phone users - our world will become more digitally saturated.
But that's not to say we have to suffer because of it, and ultimately the responsibility to use or not use it, rests in our hands.
Friday, October 09, 2015
Esther J. Cepeda: Unplugging my way to recovery
Esther J. Cepeda: Unplugging my way to recovery
CHICAGO -- For 12 weeks, I've been on a miracle diet that has improved my mood, cleared my mind, given me more energy, made my eyesight better, cured my insomnia and, most importantly, pretty much eliminated the daily headaches that had been dogging me.
It's not because I didn't know about eyestrain, or the cognitive benefits of reading on paper versus reading electronically -- according to a variety of research, reading electronically prevents us from navigating long texts in an intuitive and satisfying way.
It's because I just got so used to being on my computer, laptop, iPad or iPhone all day long, taking in content from all corners of the Web whenever the whim arose, that the amount of time my eyeballs were frying on a screen just crept up on me.
In May, on the WNYC podcast "Note to Self," I heard the story of Cynan Clucas, a digital-media professional and father of four in England who found himself at the doctor, worrying about early onset dementia.
Clucas was shocked to learn he had adult-onset attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a diagnosis that, even among children, is rare in the United Kingdom (1.5 percent of kids there are diagnosed annually) as compared with in the United States (6 percent). He was just using his electronics way too much.
This gave me pause. But I wasn't feeling anxious or distracted, overwhelmed or unable to concentrate. I didn't have any problem consuming long-form content, like books or lengthy magazine pieces, so I didn't take it to heart.
And then I was faced with a weeklong work trip away from home.
How, I fretted, would I keep up with all my reading when I was going to be busy nearly every minute of every day in meetings and travel?
Ultimately, I decided to set my email to out-of-office mode, planned to limit my daily news to just one printed newspaper per day -- compared with scouring three to four publications online -- and vowed to try not to "catch up" on my online reading and socializing once I returned.
It was like the clouds parted. I noticed the changes in my health nearly immediately. Despite a hard-charging week of 15-hour days, keeping my gadgets out of my hands and face coincided with my being able to sleep better at night and not develop headaches at the slightest provocation. I just felt better.
When I got home, I decided to see if the well-being would last by consuming only print newspapers and magazines, restricting my computer time to tasks that couldn't be done offline, and limiting my time on email and websites to the bare minimum necessary for accomplishing the important stuff that needs to be done.
It's been three months and I haven't felt this good in years.
Esther J. Cepeda is a Washington Post columnist.
Generation Zapped: Movie Trailer
Wireless is amazing – but is it safe? GENERATION ZAPPED! looks for answers
Thursday, October 08, 2015
Baylor Study: Cellphones Can Damage Romantic Relationships, Lead to Depression
Baylor Study: Cellphones Can Damage Romantic Relationships, Lead to Depression
Sept. 29, 2015
‘Cellphone use can undermine the bedrock of our happiness – our relationships with our romantic partners,’ researcher says
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WACO, Texas (Sept. 29, 2015) – Research from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business confirms that cellphones are damaging romantic relationships and leading to higher levels of depression.
James A. Roberts, Ph.D., The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing, and Meredith David, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, published their study - – in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
For their study, the researchers conducted two separate surveys, accounting for a total of 453 adults in the U.S., to learn the relational effects of “Pphubbing” – or “partner phone snubbing.” Pphubbing is described in the study as the extent to which people use or are distracted by their cellphones while in the company of their relationship partners.
“What we discovered was that when someone perceived that their partner phubbed them, this created conflict and led to lower levels of reported relationship satisfaction,” Roberts explained. “These lower levels of relationship satisfaction, in turn, led to lower levels of life satisfaction and, ultimately, higher levels of depression.”
The first survey of 308 adults helped Roberts and David develop a “Partner Phubbing Scale,” a nine-item scale of common smartphone behaviors that respondents identified as snubbing behaviors.
The resulting scale includes statements such as:
• My partner places his or her cellphone where they can see it when we are together.
• My partner keeps his or her cellphone in their hand when he or she is with me.
• My partner glances at his/her cellphone when talking to me.
• If there is a lull in our conversation, my partner will check his or her cellphone.
The development of the scale is significant, the study states, because it demonstrates that “Pphubbing is conceptually and empirically different from attitude toward cellphones, partner’s cellphone involvement, cellphone conflict and cellphone addiction.”
The second survey of 145 adults measured Pphubbing among romantic couples. This was done, in part, by asking those surveyed to respond to the nine-item scale developed in the first survey.
Other areas of measurement in the second survey included cellphone conflict, relationship satisfaction, life satisfaction, depression and interpersonal attachment style (e.g., “anxious attachment” describes people who are less secure in their relationship).
Results of the survey showed that:
• 46.3 percent of the respondents reported being phubbed by their partner
• 22.6 percent said this phubbing caused conflict in their relationships
• 36.6 percent reported feeling depressed at least some of the time
Overall, only 32 percent of respondents stated that they were very satisfied with their relationship, the study shows.
“In everyday interactions with significant others, people often assume that momentary distractions by their cell phones are not a big deal,” David said. “However, our findings suggest that the more often a couple’s time spent together is interrupted by one individual attending to his/her cellphone, the less likely it is that the other individual is satisfied in the overall relationship.
“Specifically, momentary distractions by one’s cellphone during time spent with a significant other likely lowers the significant other’s satisfaction with their relationship, and could lead to enhanced feelings of depression and lower well-being of that individual. Thus, when spending time with one’s significant other, we encourage individuals to be cognizant of the interruptions caused by their cellphones, as these may well be harmful to their relationship.”
Roberts explained that those with anxious attachment styles (less secure in their relationship) were more bothered (reported higher levels of cellphone conflict) than those with more secure attachment styles (more secure in their relationship). In addition, lower levels of relationship satisfaction – stemming, in part, from being Pphubbed – led to decreased life satisfaction that, in turn, led to higher levels of depression.
Given the ever-increasing use of smartphones to communicate between romantic partners, the study helps to understand how the use of smartphones can impact not only satisfaction with romantic relationships, but also personal well-being, Roberts said.
“When you think about the results, they are astounding,” Roberts said. “Something as common as cellphone use can undermine the bedrock of our happiness – our relationships with our romantic partners.”
In addition to its journal publication, this research provided foundational material for three chapters in Roberts’ new book,
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, housed in the new Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.
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