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IT IS REGULAR criticism of modern life that we are stuck on our phones for 16 hours of the day.
Addiction to electronic devices is such a problem that it has its own WebMd page.
Switching off can be a challenge, and this month Harvey’s Point hotel in Donegal is looking to address this by hosting a ‘Digital Detox’ weekend.
Over the course of the two days guests will surrender their devices at the door and take part in healthy eating and mindfulness activities.
The area near to where the weekend will be happening
The idea was thought up by owner Marc Gysling, and has been organised by member of the sales team at the hotel Roger Kündig, who explains: "It’s a tour back to the past of maybe 15 years ago when we didn’t have so much social media and phones.
We’ve gotten a great feedback... It is only 13 rooms, so we hope to fill the lodge this time.
But would it not be easier simply to close over the laptop screen and put the devices in a drawer?
"When you’re on your own you’ll find 100 different things rather than sitting down and practicing mindfulness. So often a group can inspire people as well," says Keith Corcoran, a meditation instructor from the area who will be leading activities during the weekend.
"Our minds are going always from morning until night," the 38-year-old explains, "thinking about the past and the present and the future. I’ve noticed myself over the years that your mind is not really switching off.
You take your mind on this kind of incessant thinking.
The weekend will also feature mindfulness walking, which apparently is different to regular walking.
Through a few pretty basic techniques that I impart, you can kind of slow down your thoughts and really, really appreciate the walk. People might say afterwards that I never saw a bird singing like that, or felt the breeze on my face or saw leaves falling in Autumn.
While this might sound a bit new-agey for some people's tastes, Corcoran is quick to clarify that the focus is on learning techniques, and that he's "no guru when it comes to this".
"I just find these techniques myself beneficial. I am just an instructor, I just instruct people. Definitely there are benefits to be taken away from a weekend like this. Tools that we impart to do with breathing and mindfulness," he says.
The weekend will be taking place from 22 to 24 January and anyone interested in it can find further information at Harvey's Point Hotel's website.
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The Social Democrats didn’t support water charges, JobBridge and cuts to health, education and social welfare like Labour did in government.
Seems a very clear difference to me.
@Rochelle Hart: I have zero doubt that at the first whiff of power the Soc Dems would change their tune.
Holly Cairns was a good vocal voice for Palestine for months but was quick with the hand wringing when it came time for Leo to meet Joe.
@Hayagriva: They had an opportunity to prop up this current FF/FG government in 2020 and refused.
@Rochelle Hart: the Soc Dems didn’t exist then. Indeed, some in their party were in the Labour Party at the time you refer to
@Hayagriva: so you would deny them power on the basis of your speculation? Interesting.
@Seanfhear míshásta: of course not, just saying I won’t be surprised when they inevitably change their tone
@SYaxJ2Ts: The Soc Dems were formed in 2015 and doubled their TDs to six in the 2020 election, so I think your sense of history is a little off…
Labour is a toxic brand, and if there’s any merging going on, they should merge into the SD’s, rather than the other way around
@Sean OhAnnrachain: great point and it’s even more toxic given the behaviour of its equivalent in england
@Sean OhAnnrachain: makes the most sense, Labour being the only party to be held accountable for their actions in the history of the state. (maybe PDS?, more a slow demise perhaps).
He is correct and right. Labour should be subsumed into the Social Democrats.
@Seanfhear míshásta: A merge would suggest the Social Democrat and Labour Party. Seems familiar branding.
The SDs don’t have the history of Labour .
The haven’t sold out unlike the Labour Party in Ireland.
The SDs shouldn’t merge or join with Labour lest they’re be tarnished aswell
All 3 would have Ireland looking like the third world within 5 years.
There’s a massive difference. Labour is posh socialism. A legacy of college gatherings and tea parties. Soc Dems represent working class people and a better fairer society. What Labour used to be.
Commies
The cheeky of Aon Riordan wanting the progressive democrats to join up with Labour. We all know what happened when the Democratic left took over Labour. The only part of Labour left was their name. The worst health minister we ever had wiped the floor with Rosin Shortall during that government, Rosin was one of the best Labour T.Ds that they ever had.Not one of the Labour party sided with her, that’s how the Progressive Democrats were born . Labour is just a name now and they deserve all the loss they have got.
@Patrick Treacy: Apologies. Progressive Democrats should be Social Democrats. The years are beginning to show.
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