Digital Detox In 5 Easy Steps
What is a Digital Detox?
Why should I do a Digital Detox?
Choose a time frame
Choose to go small or go big
Enjoy the benefits of being disconnected
What is a Digital Detox?
A digital detox means taking a break from using electronic devices. While our society has gotten more and more attached to our smartphones and personal computers, we are less connected socially than ever before. A digital detox may mean staying off of all electronics or choosing to refrain from using certain devices, websites, or apps on those devices.
Why should you do a Digital Detox?
Many people reach for their personal devices as soon as they have an idle moment. NO body allows themselves to be bored anymore. Standing in line at the coffee shop? Start scrolling social media. Winding down for the evening? Flip on the tv while you stalk former classmates from college on Instagram and accidentally “like” a post from 8 years ago. Oops. Save yourself the embarrassment and choose to play a board game with your partner instead. Or go for a walk. Or take out a piece of paper and meal plan. Do something productive, away from a screened device, to better your life or enrich your existence.
“Several social experiments found that taking a scheduled break away from your smartphone or digital device can lower your stress levels. It can also help you focus on the present and pay more attention to things around you.” webmd.com
https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-digital-detox
When Should you do a Digital Detox?
There are a few ways you can approach the “when” aspect of the digital detox. You can start with a short time frame, like an hour, or resolve to not being on after dinner every evening. Or you can choose to take a weekend away from all screened devices. Whatever time frame you decide on, stick to it.
What are you detoxing?
Are you just wanting to take a break from social media or all electronics in general? If you’re just starting out, I recommend choosing a short time frame away from the most used social apps on your phone. If you have a smart phone, many have analytics on how much time you spend on each app you’ve downloaded. Pick the one you’ve spent the most time on and make a deal with yourself not to open that app, or better yet, delete the app until your agreed upon time frame is complete. I also recommend placing your device in another room to break the habit of picking it up when you have an idle moment. It really is a hard habit to break.
If you need to digitally detox for longer periods of time, make sure to plan out the time away. Set emails to “Out of Office” or set up auto replies for text messages explaining when you will be returning any communications. In a culture of immediate gratification and instant access, many people may expect a response right away. Setting a boundary around your times of communication will protect your detox efforts so you can fully benefit from your time away from electronics.
Things people avoid during a digital detox may include:
Checking email.
Playing video games.
Scrolling social media.
Text messaging.
Using smartphones or tablets.
Watching news or other TV programs.
Enjoy the benefits
Another thing to consider is how often to detox. I recommend taking one day off from electronics per week. Take a Sunday off in order to focus on you, your life offline, and the relationships you cherish most. At the end of the day, journal about your experience. But here’s the thing, you have to journal on real paper because, remember, you aren’t using electronics on that day!
Check in after each detox stint to see how this practice is helping you.
Share your journey with me! I’d love to hear how your digital detox went, and I can’t wait to cheer you on!
XO,
Shannon