National Day of Unplugging: Time to Step Away From Social Media

If you haven't heard, the National Day of Unplugging is about to begin. The challenge is set to start at sundown Friday and lasts until sundown Saturday.

People are expected to put their electronic gadgets away from coast to coast. A group in San Francisco is throwing an unplugging party and this local story in Michigan predicts thousands will participate in all.

If nothing else, the National Day of Unplugging raises awareness about our reliance on technology. It serves as a reminder to take a step back now and then and re-evaluate our relationship with social media. Is it healthy or is it an addiction that we need to address?

In preparation for unplugging, HuffPost's own GPS For The Soul held a Twitter chat in conjunction with HuffPost Healthy Living about social media anxiety disorder. The irony of a rapid-tweeting Twitter chat on the topic raised some eyebrows, but as GPS responded to one:

In mulling over what to write about today for my social media blog, I knew it had to be this. I've even decided to participate -- no social media for 24 hours.

I once went two weeks without Facebook or Twitter, so 24 hours should be a cinch, right? Not exactly. The former took place while on vacation, with my family, but this time I'll be battling the comfort of my own apartment, solo.

It also goes beyond Facebook and Twitter. The true spirit of "National Day of Unplugging" doesn't just involve giving up social media, it means giving up electronics entirely. I'm not sure I can do it but I'm going to try. Fortunately, the weather is looking fine for tomorrow.

If you feel like giving this challenge a shot, but you're feeling helpless on what you'd do instead, The Daily Beast has rounded up some great suggestions.

Best of luck to all who attempt to unplug from our hyper-connected society for the next 24 hours!