Amid the chaos of college applications and school work, I found myself increasingly glued to my computer screen. Ignoring the warnings my mom would send my way, I would rotate between my phone and laptop, day and night. At first, I didn’t get what the big deal was and thought my parents were being overdramatic – I felt perfectly fine and didn’t think that I was going blind anytime soon.
However, as the days progressed, I found my sleep pattern getting increasingly erratic, and would find myself constantly rubbing my eyes and reaching for some eye drops. My parents’ warning came to mind and I decided I needed to take some time and step back – if not it may start to negatively affect both my work and myself.
As a South Asian, meditation and yoga are intrinsically woven into our cultures – In Sri Lanka, the ‘Poya Day’ (a holiday during a full moon) is often treated as a day to relax, pray, and meditate. When thinking about the learning outcomes, I kept in mind initiative and planning. I decided that this was exactly what I needed to do for myself and my work.
Every morning, I woke with the sun and performed the Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) to practice commitment and perseverance. The routine consisted of 12 linked asanas that are described to aid the flow of energy in the body. The simple yet beneficial nature of the exercise allowed me to incorporate it into my daily routine without having to cut down other parts. I would use this time to stay away from my phone and tune out of my surroundings.
At first, the routines were quite difficult, this relates to challenge and skill. I found often find myself falling off balance and getting frustrated with myself. I would also be aware of my phone buzzing in the periphery and would have to actively fight the urge to check what was going on. However, the more I engaged with the exercise, the more my body adapted to it, and soon the movements came like second nature.
Immediately after performing the Sun Salutation, I would take a moment to myself and meditate, reflect on what needed to be done throughout the day. Some days I would cook myself a healthy breakfast even. My aim was to spend as much time as possible dedicated to my wellbeing and awake from devices.
