Tips for Dealing With Noise Overload

Here are 3 ways to turn off (or at least reduce) the noise in your life:

1. Turn off your TV - We've actually called our cable company and had them turn off our cable for months at a time. so when we've done this before, people can't believe it. "Life without programming?" That's exactly the point. Life without all the mostly negative programming.

You'll be amazing at the amount of time you recover in your life. Maybe you don't want to disconnect your cable. Well, just try having 2 designated times to watch TV per week. And enjoy getting some time back to rest, relax and rejuvenate. You may not know what to do with this new time at first. Grab a book, paint a picture, catch up on some work that's been hanging over your head, do something with the kids, visit your grandmother.

2. Have designated times to check and respond to emails - This is a huge time-suck. Especially when people are constantly interrupting other activities to check their email via smartphone. You've know them (maybe you even are this person?) They wake up and check their email, walk and check, eat and check.

If this is a young adult or teenager, just substitute texting for checking emails. But it's the same principle, you can't focus on what you're doing (or relax) if you're always being distracted by these technologies.

And it's dangerous. Texting while walking can be embarrassing when you run into something because you're not focused on where you're going. It can be deadly to check your smartphone for email while driving. And it's rude. No matter how hard you try to disguise it, people can tell if you're not fully engaged.

3. Get outdoors and leave your smartphone behind - yes, we have more connections, acquaintances, Facebook friends and followers, but are we really connecting with them in meaningful ways? Our relationships feel more abundant yet more shallow.

Make sure you have a small, good group of friends IRL (in real life). Make sure you're connecting with them in real life, too. Get out there and do something with them. Go for a walk. Play volleyball. Play board games. Go sing karaoke and be silly. Watch the sunset.