Digital Detox
It seems like these days our phones have us in a real chokehold. From the minute we wake up it seems like we are attached to our phones until the minute we plug them back in to do it all again the next day. How do we get out of this toxic cycle that seems to never end? Well, if you’re in the same predicament as we are then perhaps you want to consider taking a digital detox.
So what is a digital detox? It’s basically making conscious time to purposefully be away from your phone, laptop, tablet or whatever your digital poison of choice is. Granted some of us rely on these devices for work and of course to stay in contact with the outer world, but we’re not suggesting a week or even day’s long detox just something or some time that you can block off each day to give yourself a break from all of the chatter and blue screen light.
For us, our phone is the culprit. We like to limit our screen time to as little as possible each day. For example, we make it a habit to not be on our social media for at least the first hour of every morning. Instead we enjoy our coffee, matcha and respective breakfasts and read the news or listen to uplifting music. Another way we implement our digital detox is to make sure that during any of our three meals each day, our phone is out of sight and out of mind. It’s easy and simple ways like this that we’re able to cut down on screen time and have some peace of mind instead.
Now, what are the benefits of a digital detox? For one, constantly being connected to technology can lead to stress and anxiety, as we are constantly bombarded with notifications, emails, and messages. Taking a break, no matter how brief it may be, can help us to relax and unwind, reducing stress levels and that can only benefit us in other areas of our lives as well. Cutting back on screen time can also improve your sleep. For example, using technology before bedtime can interfere with our sleep patterns, as the blue light emitted by screens can disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycle. However, a digital detox can help us to improve our sleep quality by giving our brains a break from screen time.
A digital detox, in whatever form that works for you can improve and increase your productivity. Technology can be a distraction, there’s no debating that, and taking a break from it can help us to focus better and be more productive. This is particularly important for those who work on computers for extended periods of time (looking at you remote workers) and is a perfect segue to our next reason for a digital detox: better relationships. Being constantly connected to technology and invested in tiny screens all day can sometimes interfere with our ability to connect with others in person. Would you agree? It seems like communicating by sharing Instagram posts and commenting with emojis only has everyone forgetting how to actually socialize in the real world. Taking a digital detox can give us the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and as a result, improve our social skills.
Finally, a digital detox can help us to be more present in the moment and appreciate our surroundings therefore making us more mindful. Remember our lives may be online but that’s not our life. We live in the real world so a digital detox could perhaps encourage us to engage in beneficial activities that also promote mindfulness like meditation, a good workout or even reading an actual book.