📱 The Digital Age Dilemma 📱
We live in the digital age. Smart phones, tablets, screens are all around us. They permeate our lives. We can't escape them. Most adults of parenting age are old enough that smart phones didn't exist during their early, formative years of development. Our children are not so lucky. 😔
Every day in my office I see 18 month-olds entertaining themselves with their parents' iPads and phones. They are able to easily navigate the very intuitive operating system. This is a testament to the developers at Apple and Google. They have created an information gathering product that literally a toddler can operate.
The Hidden Cost of Instant Information
There is a HUGE downside, however. Along with the benefit of being able to obtain information, watch a video or communicate with someone in an instant, comes the loss of needing to think things through or "work the problem." How old was Ronald Reagan when he died? Who won the Rose Bowl in 1957? What was the war of 1812 about? These are all questions that we can have answered in seconds. We used to have to think about it, ask a friend, or look it up in an encyclopedia. And while in most instances "information is power," the process of problem solving, using one's brain to reason things through is lost.
The ability to utilize tech becomes addicting. I frequently will tell myself while waiting in line for coffee to not look at my phone, only to find myself a minute later looking at my phone. It is a form of addiction and most of us are hooked.
As I mentioned earlier, people in their mid 30's or older didn't have this technology when their brain was forming. We had to "be with ourselves" at times. We could let our minds wander, think and create. When I was a child, laying on the front lawn and looking for figures in the clouds was an activity. Younger people are not so lucky. The tech is addicting and unavoidable, and there is no putting the cat back in the bag.
🚫📱 Solutions: Breaking Free from Screen Addiction 🧘♀️
So what to do about this insidious problem? First of all, and most obviously, put the phone down—if even for a few minutes at a time. Give your mind (or your child's mind) a break. This will likely be hard to do. The harder it is, the more it needs to happen. 🌟
🧘 The Power of Mindfulness ✨
Second, practice mindfulness. What is mindfulness? Please refer to my previous blog on the topic for detail. Basically, mindfulness is the process of focusing your mind on the present. It involves being aware of your thoughts and feelings. When a person is being mindful, they are aware of their surroundings, the noises, the smells and so on. This process enables us to relax, be creative and recharge. Practicing mindfulness has been shown to be very helpful with improving focus and attention, decreasing stress and anxiety, and enhancing sleep.
🎵 Music as Mindfulness: The Guitar Connection 🎸
So where does the guitar playing come into all of this? Well, playing a musical instrument, by definition requires one to be mindful. If a person is a beginner with an instrument, they have to focus on how their body is positioned, what their fingers are doing, what sounds are being created. This is the definition of mindfulness. 🎯
As a player advances, these things become more automatic and more focus is devoted to what notes and chords are being played, subtleties of technique and timing, etc. Even an advanced performer can't tune out. They must maintain focus on how they sound, and if they are playing in a group, what the other instruments are doing. 🎼
🎸 Why Guitar? The Practical Choice 🎯
So why guitar? Admittedly I'm biased. I've been playing guitar for 54 years now and have accumulated quite a collection. Here is my rationale:
Affordable to Start
Guitars are relatively inexpensive. A decent quality starter guitar can be had for about $100 (or even less used.)
Space Efficient
Guitars don't take up much space. You won't have to devote a corner of the room to it.
Highly Portable
Guitars are easy to transport and carry. You can take them anywhere. I have a few that I can fit in a suitcase for travel.
Play Anywhere
You can play a guitar anywhere: inside, outside, at the park, at a party.
Neighbor Friendly
They are not too loud and won't drive the rest of the family crazy while a person is getting started.
Free Learning Resources
You can learn the fundamentals of guitar playing for free watching YouTube videos. You don't have to invest in lessons to start (although you can.)
🎸 Ultimate Cool Factor 🎸
The guitar player is the coolest member of the band 😎🎵
🎶 Any Music is Good Music 🎵
Now my bias aside, virtually any musical instrument is a means to practice mindfulness. If your child is hellbent on playing the drums and that is what they want to do great! 🥁 Get an electric set to start so they can use headphones. Music, all music, any music is good for the soul. It calms us, grounds us, and is a wonderful outlet/hobby. 🎼✨
Key Takeaways
- We are too connected to our phones and screens. We should make an effort to disconnect.
- Mindfulness is good for our mood, focus, and overall brain health.
- Playing a musical instrument is a wonderful, creative way to achieve mindfulness.
- Guitar players are cool.
Getting Started with Your Child
If you're considering introducing your child to guitar, remember that the goal isn't necessarily to create a professional musician—it's to provide them with a healthy, mindful activity that can serve as a counterbalance to our screen-dominated world. The focus, concentration, and creativity required to play guitar naturally develop the same skills that help children succeed in school and manage stress and anxiety.
Start small, be patient, and let your child's natural curiosity guide the journey. Even just 15-20 minutes of practice can provide a meaningful break from digital devices and an opportunity to be truly present in the moment.