In today's wired society, staying in touch with people has become easier than ever -- but are our plugged-in lives taking a toll on face-to-face communication?


Author Yosipa Maria's outside life and relationships were suffering from digital overload. After deciding the constant connection from behind a screen was becoming too impersonal, she decided to go off the grid completely. Maria told HuffPost Live host Nancy Redd recently that ditching her devices made her happier than ever.


"I found that television and computers were quite distracting," Maria said. "I just didn't need it and I was quite happy. I had a lot of friends and I enjoyed my life. I didn't feel that I needed all of that stuff to clutter where I was at."


Maria confessed that only after having children did she integrate technology back into her life -- but she made sure to keep it controlled.


"It needs to be a balance," she said. "I choose when I work with it and then I choose to turn it off. I think you need to have a balance for a clearer mind."


Check out the video clip above for more on why Maria completely unplugged, and watch the full video on HuffPost Live[1] .


For more on the Third Metric, click here[2] .



Also on HuffPost:




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  • Write A Note Of Gratitude To Your Best Friend


    ...when it <em>isn't</em> her birthday. Make a list of all the reasons she earns the title of BFF: She'll feel appreciated and grateful to have <em>you</em> in her life, and writing it will remind you how lucky you are to have her, too.




  • Get Moving


    Lace up your sneaks, leash up your love and GO. No matter how you decide to move, choose to leave your cell at home -- grant yourself this time to be present with <em>your own</em> thoughts, and not the thoughts of the Twittersphere.




  • Take A Nap


    You'll wake up refreshed and ready to tackle any problem that seemed impossible pre-snooze. (Want to take a nap at work? We're all for it! <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/how-to-nap-at-work_n_1232352.html">Find some tips, here.</a>)




  • Get Lost In Your City


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  • Ritualize Your Morning Cup Of Joe


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  • Sit Like This


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  • Take An Art Class


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  • Take A Page From Your Grandmother's Recipe Book


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  • Read A Book


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  • Dig Through Some Childhood Memorabilia


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  • Take A Bath


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  • Feed The Ducks


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  • Declutter


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  • Write Stream Of Consciousness


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  • People Watch


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  • Host A Phone-Free Potluck


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  • Volunteer


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  • Play A Board Game


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  • Related Video: The Doctors' 48-Hour Technology Detox