a This is a great book for those feeling overloaded with technology… This is a book that helps people learn to put aside technology and to center their focus on God's word.

Let’s face it: most of us are on our phones or computers way more than we’d like to be and more than what’s even beneficial. Overuse of technology can be harmful to our health and relationships, and we know that, but how can we rewire our digital habits for a healthier life?

In Calm, Cool, and Connected, Arlene Pellicane will walk you through an easy 5-step plan that will help you center your life on Jesus and love others better by decluttering your screen time. By introducing a few, easy habits into your daily routine, you can transform your relationship with technology and enjoy a life less mediated by a screen, one more full of God’s presence and the presence of others.

It's so easy to become consumed and preoccupied with our devices for fear of missing out or falling behind. In turn, we begin to suppress or ignore what’s most important, giving ourselves instead to the urgent and sensational. Let this book guide you in new habits for more balanced technology use, and thus a more balanced life.

Agood read for those who find themselves addicted to today's technology.

Calm, Cool and Connected is a short book that aims to encourage readers to rethink and reform their social media habits so that we’re not distracted by technology to the point we’re living only half a life.

The book is structured around five habits:
H = Hold down the off button
A = Always put people first
B = Brush daily (i.e. post no evil about yourself or others)
I = I will go online with purpose (no more disappearing down internet rabbit holes for hours on end)
T = Take a hike (don’t spend your entire live online—get some exercise)

Overall, the book encourages us to develop good technology habits. It’s not saying we have to go cold turkey, but encouraging us to be more intentional with the way we use technology, to use it as a tool, to put in-person connections first.

While the tips are specifically around controlling the way we use technology (rather than letting technology control us), many of the principles hold true for any kind of habit:

"Try not to focus on the negative habit you’re trying to shake. Instead focus on the positive habit you’re trying to embrace."

She also doesn’t recommend overreacting and going cold turkey in trying to rein in our social media use. Apparently, that’s not a good idea. This book is full of tips that will help you develop more healthy technology habits. The book could also be used as a small group study, as there are plenty of questions and other discussion points.

Recommended for anyone concerned about their digital use or who wants to develop better internet and social media habits. It would also make a good gift for social media-addicted family members … if you could get them off their devices long enough to read it. Perhaps the publisher should consider a Minecraft or Fortnite edition.

Thanks to Moody Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Pellicane demonstrates an understanding of why people are always connected. She provides a few insights that will allow one to be disconnected just a few moments a day.

Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life was a fantastic read. I really needed to read this book at this time in my life. It breaks down the word HABIT into five easy ways to balance your use of digital devices.

H = Hold Down the Off Button
A = Always Put People First
B = Brush daily: Live with a Clean Conscience
I = I Will Go Online with Purpose
T = Take a Hike

Read the book to get the full context of H.A.B.I.T. It is a very practical and useful list of ways to balance your digital life. ;)

Even though it was a short read (160 pages), I found several helpful tips (some I've already started using!) and definitely recommend the book. It is a must read.

*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done.*

Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life by Arlene Pellicane calls us put away technology and connect more deeply with those around us. Arlene Pellicane has an amazing ability to simplify things with her common sense approach. In this book, she outlines ways for families to manage today’s digital world and keep our focus on Jesus and those around us. As always, this author’s writing is a breath of fresh air and I highly recommend this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Calm, Cool, and Connected

5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life



by Arlene Pellicane

Moody Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 01 Sep 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Calm, Cool and Connected through Moody Publishers and Netgalley:

In 2011 only a third of Americans owned a smart phone.

Most of us are on our phones or computers far more than we should be, and more than what is beneficial to us.

This book goes on to talk about the fear some of us have of being without our phones. (Nomophobia). We are reminded of the importance of taking time away from our screens.

We are reminded of the issues of cyber bullying and the importance of being mindful of what we post, and the dangers of Pornography are also brought up.

This book encourages us to be mindful of the time we spend online and to have an idea of what we are doing, we are encouraged to declutter our screen time and grow closer to Jesus.

I give Calm, Cool and Connected five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

"Calm, Cool, and Connected", offers a simple 5 step system for balancing the demands of a technologically connected world with a Christian lifestyle that also needs to prioritize relationships with others and God. I found the text to be fair in its approach to a modern world that necessitates being technologically connected, but provides worthwhile reminders of how to do that while placing the various dimensions of our lives in the proper order.

This book provides me with an easy acronym, HABIT, to put electronic devices in their proper place in my life. It is a quick and easy read with great reminders of how to use screen time most effectively. I highly recommend this book to parents, but all readers will benefit from its advice!

Sparkly!. I have really enjoyed reading this book. The author writes in a fresh and direct way, it is not a book of "24 hours for ..." but a book that helps us to see the need to balance our life in relation to social networks and multimedia devices.

I am a technology lover, blogger and I spend time on social networks, so this book touched many personal thoughts.

I recommend it with all my heart.

I read Calm, Cool, and Connected because I have been too tightly tethered to my phone. I wanted to find a balance between living in the present and staying connected with loved ones as needed. This book was an easy read, but full of helpful tactics such as the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds when looking at a screen), and Scriptural reminders such as fasting to break the ties to technology when I feel them turning into chains. As I write this review, my phone is sitting undisturbed in the other room!