Reclaiming Rest in a World That Never Logs Off
In small towns like Stephenville and Eastland, we still wave at neighbors and linger at the grocery store to catch up. But even here, in the heart of rural Texas, something has shifted: we’re always online.
From the moment our alarms buzz to the final scroll before bed, screens dominate our hours. Parents text during dinner, teens stream content under the covers, and even toddlers are handed tablets for peace and quiet. But what if the very tech we rely on is draining our presence, peace, and purpose?
Enter the Digital Sabbath—a weekly reset for your mind, soul, and relationships, inspired by ancient rhythms and modern science alike. And no, you don’t have to toss your phone in the creek.
What Is a Digital Sabbath?
It’s a commitment to one day a week (or even a few protected hours) where devices are powered down, screens are paused, and real life is lived face to face. It’s not about rejecting technology—but about reclaiming mastery over it.
Dr. LaDuque has long observed how device overload contributes to anxiety, poor sleep, shallow breathing, posture collapse, and emotional exhaustion. The antidote? Stillness. Intention. Presence. Sabbath.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
- Digital fatigue: The average adult checks their phone 144 times a day (Deloitte, 2022).
- Sleep disruption: Blue light exposure after sunset delays melatonin release and reduces REM sleep (Chang et al., 2015).
- Child development: Excess screen time in kids is linked to behavioral issues and reduced attention spans (Twenge & Campbell, 2018).
- Relational drift: Couples and families report less meaningful interaction as device use rises.
How to Start a Digital Sabbath
- Choose your window: It might be all of Sunday, or just Friday night through Saturday morning. Start small.
- Prep ahead: Let friends know you’re offline. Print directions. Cue up music or podcasts in advance.
- Create rituals: Family walks, handwritten letters, journaling, shared meals, reading aloud.
- Use airplane mode: If you need your phone nearby (emergencies, cameras), turn off notifications and set intention.
What Stephenville Families Are Saying
One dad replaced Saturday morning cartoons with fire pit coffee and chores. A mom began using Sunday evenings for candlelight dinner and board games. Teens resisted at first—but now ask for tech-free meals because the conversations are better.
“I thought I’d feel disconnected,” said one Eastland parent. “But after a month of Sabbaths, I’ve never felt more present with my kids.”
Make It Sacred
At its core, Sabbath isn’t just about avoiding tech. It’s about returning to rest. Biblically, it was God’s gift of margin. A declaration that you are more than your productivity. A rhythm that reminds us: we are human beings, not human doings.
When we put down our phones, we pick up our lives.
Citations
- Deloitte. “2022 Global Mobile Consumer Survey.” Deloitte Insights, 2022, www2.deloitte.com.
- Chang, Anne-Marie, et al. “Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness.” PNAS, vol. 112, no. 4, 2015, pp. 1232–1237.
- Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. Atria Books, 2018.
Explore More from the Wellness Series
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- Intentional Living →
- Men Need Rhythm, Not Rescue →
- The Wellness Shelf →
- Breathe Better, Live Better →
- The Food Filter →
Author: Dr. LaDuque, Dental Excellence
Location: Stephenville & Eastland, TX