Do you need a digital detox?
How many of you find yourselves checking your smartphone first thing to either check on Facebook, work emails or Instagram? Have you ever been accused of not be able to switch off? Do you feel lost if you go to the toilet without your phone? If you answered yes to any of these then you may need a digital detox.
We live in a world where we can track huge amounts of information about our health, whether it’s tracking your sleep, steps or heart rate, our smartphones and devices can offer us a huge amount of useful information. However these devices can also come with a downside of far too easy access to social media, games and communication apps meaning we can rack up hours of ‘screen time’ without fully being aware of it. I know that some smartphones will give you a weekly breakdown of your screen time which can help you keep check on your usage. Pre lockdown I was averaging 2.5 hours a day of screen time however during lockdown I was amassing up to 5 hours of screen time a day which was largely lost time.
This is what has motivated me to come up with some rules on how we can disconnect from our devices and reconnect with the present:
Put away phones and other devices at mealtimes. By turning your phone or tablet off while eating with family and friends, you’re cultivating connections with each other. To me, that’s priceless.
Take a holiday from technology during your travels. Now there’s no harm if you’re tempted to post a picture from Paris or post a review of a fabulous restaurant in Rome, but it’s so rewarding to experience your holiday with the people you’re with.
Put to bed blue light distractions. Consider powering down your phone and other devices at least one hour before your head hits the pillow. This can help you sleep better as you won’t be exposed to the blue light from your gadgets.
Impose a daily limit on tech time. Consider checking your email fewer times a day, going on social media less and turning your phone off by a specific time at night.
Fill your technology-free time. Imagine all the things you can do when technology isn’t sneakily stealing your time. Relax, get together with friends or family, exercise, take a trip, learn something new or volunteer. The options are seemingly endless.
While it’s unrealistic that we can live in an existence without technologic distractions, I firmly believe that occasional or regular digital detoxes can nourish the mind and body.