Do you know 75% of the population takes their mobile phones to the bathroom? Almost 89% check their phone first thing in the morning. Some even confessed to thinking about the notification sound while trying to be intimate with their partner.
We may begin with looking at the smartphone a few times a day but eventually end at a black hole where the addiction makes our lives suffer. It’s the digital era and an extremely hard time to escape the constant bombardment of information and stimulation from our devices. Fortunately, a lot of information is available about the aftermath of digital detox. Therefore, we also have remedies to help us escape this phase.
A pivotal step towards saving ourselves from the digital bombardment is the digital. It is a period when you abstain from using digital devices. The period can vary from a weekend to a week or even longer. With this article, we can learn a lot more about digital detox and how it can prove crucial to your path toward better physical and mental health. Let’s begin-
What is Digital Detox?
Digital detox is a period of time when an individual decides to reduce or eliminate the use of digital devices. These can include smartphones, computers, tablets, and gaming consoles. The goal of a digital detox is to give your mind and body a break from the constant stimulation of digital technology.
The time frame for digital detox can vary from days to weeks, depending on the individual. In the modern world, connecting physically with the people that matter and giving your body and mind the peace they deserve is a great practice.
Why Do You Need Digital Detox?
Digital detox is an essential activity, especially if you are a student or a working professional who spends multiple hours daily on the screen. You must gauge whether your screen time eats up most of your day, leaving no time for family or friends. If it’s a yes, you must opt for a digital detox. Here are a few reasons why you need digital detox immediately:
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
As studies have shown, excessive use of technology can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Constant connection to our devices bombards us with information and stimulation, which can be overwhelming and lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Giving our brains a chance and time to rest and relax can be achieved by taking a break from our devices.
Improve Sleep
The light emitted from an electronic device can interfere with our sleep. When we use our devices before bed, the blue light emitted from the screens suppresses melatonin production, which is a hormone that helps us sleep. Taking a break from our devices before bed can help us get a better night’s sleep.
Enhance Focus and Concentration
When we constantly hear the noise of notifications and other distractions from our devices, it can be difficult to focus and concentrate on the task at hand. Taking a break from our devices can help us clear our heads and focus on the present moment.
Increase Productivity
As these notifications pop up, there is an urge to peep into the mobile and see what it is all about. The moment we pick up the phone, unknowingly, we find ourselves in the loop of the internet world. It may then take several minutes to hours to realize the lost time. All of it decreases our productivity substantially. It’s a black hole for everyone who wishes to excel in time and achieve things within the deadline. Once you opt for a digital detox, such things change. Taking a break from our devices can help us focus on our work and be more productive.
Connect with Family and Friends
Excessive screen time does not just take away your time, creativity, and skills. It also keeps you away from the people who matter the most. You can be at a family gathering, still away from everyone, because you chose to scroll through the phone rather than have real conversations with people around you. Technology has many vices; one of the worst is social isolation. Digital detox helps us reconnect with our people and makes us understand that there can be no better therapy than a chit-chat session with family and friends. Taking a break from our devices can help us reconnect with the people we care about.
Enjoy Life
When we allow ourselves to disconnect from our devices, we open ourselves up to countless opportunities for joy and wonder. Whether it’s taking a leisurely stroll through a park, savoring a delicious meal with loved ones, or simply gazing up at the stars on a clear night, these simple pleasures can bring us a sense of peace and contentment that no amount of screen time can match. Putting down our devices can help us embrace the beauty of the world.
How to Do Digital Detox?
As we see above, periodically detoxing digitally renders multiple benefits. However, phone detox or detox of any sort isn’t as easy as it seems. You will require a plan and strict discipline to achieve your goals and embrace the multiple benefits of digital benefits.
Here, we have a plan set for you so you can successfully attain the maximum benefits of digital detox:
Set a Goal
Think about what you truly want to gain from a digital detox. Is it to clear your mind and reduce the constant noise of technology in your life? You may want to reconnect with nature and spend more time outdoors without social media distractions. Whatever your reason, figure out your end goal and use it as a driving force to stay committed to your digital detox plan.
Choose a Time Frame
When it comes to digital detox, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. Some people find that a weekend or a week is enough to recharge and reset, while others prefer to go for longer periods of time. Ultimately, one must find the right balance that works for you. Whether you take a break from social media, emails, or other online distractions, it’s important to be mindful of your digital habits and prioritize self-care.
Plan Ahead
Taking a break from technology can be a great way to recharge and refocus your energy. While it may seem daunting to stay disconnected from the digital world, it can also be a liberating experience. Consider exploring new hobbies, taking up a craft, or learning a new language during your digital detox. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless. Whatever you wish to do, remember to take it one step at a time and enjoy the journey.
Inform Your Friends and Family
Taking time away from technology is a great way to recharge and refocus. When you’re ready to start your digital detox, it’s important to let those around you know what you’re doing. You can explain that you’ll be taking a social media break and other online activities and won’t be as accessible during this time. In fact, ask your friends and family to support you by not contacting you as frequently. It will help you focus on your goals and enjoy much-needed downtime. Try to use this time to connect with nature, read books, or spend time with loved ones.
Turn Off Notifications
Our smartphones offer ‘aerplane’ and ‘do not disturb’ modes that help us avoid distractions. You can utilize these features whenever it’s time for a digital detox. All you need to do is switch on these features and prevent notifications from popping. It will help you to avoid the temptation to check your devices constantly.
Remove Social Media Apps
Social media apps consume a lot of our valuable time. Removing these from mobile devices is a legitimate way to ensure you save time. However, removing social apps is only feasible for some. Nowadays, social media apps are more than just a platform to socialize. These are pivotal in informing us of current affairs and the desired jobs. There are also working professionals who rely on social media apps to learn more about their niche and climb the success ladder.
Therefore, it may not be the best idea for people who use it effectively. However, removing these from your device is best if you indulge in mindless scrolling of social media apps. You can begin by removing these for a couple of days, and if that doesn’t affect you professionally, you can also remove it permanently. It will save a considerable amount of time and save you from being a slave in the hands of technology.
Disconnect From the Internet
It’s sad how the first thing we do in the morning is to connect our devices to the internet. If you want to detox digitally, you must have control and stop yourself from connecting the device to the net for the stipulated time. When there is no connection, it will be less tempted to use the device.
Get Creative
When one becomes a slave in the hands of technology, it’s extremely difficult to leave it even for a day. Therefore, when you decide not to look at the screen, you must also consider things to do to keep yourself busy. There are multiple things to do. You must brush your interest and pledge to do a certain activity for the day rather than looking into the screens. You can pick a book you want to read for a long time or visit your friends for a rigorous game on the ground. You can also visit museums, exhibitions, and parks that will help you deviate and make your detox day successful.
Be Patient
Take advantage of this opportunity to explore new hobbies and spend more time with loved ones. Try reading a book, walking, or cooking a new recipe. You might enjoy these activities more than scrolling through social media or watching TV. Be patient throughout the journey. Only then will you be able to achieve the benefits of a digital detox. If you choose to leave the journey midway, it will become arduous to return to the path of digital detox.
Reward Yourself
When you accomplish your objective, treat yourself to something that brings you joy. It will drive you to keep going and ensure your digital cleanse is a triumph. Remember to focus on the positives and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. You deserve it! Amidst all the fun, promise yourself that digital detox isn’t like a weight loss journey that loosens or stops the moment you achieve the goal. Instead, it has to become a lifelong practice that will help you stay healthy physically and mentally. It will help you stay close to the people who matter the most.
Summing Up
Digital detox may not be an easy advent. However, once you become successful at achieving it, you can transform your life for good. Think of a life filled with visiting beautiful places, staying close to your people, and enjoying life to the fullest. You can achieve all of it only when you step out of the screen. So, take a pledge today to spend some time away from your devices and explore nature, life, and everything else that truly matters.