Are You in Need of a Digital Detox?

It isn’t a shock when we say that society has become very dependent on technology. Studies have shown that the average person will check their phone 200 times a day. With the constant updates and availability of smartphones, we find ourselves always online in some way, shape or form – and relying heavily on digital access in our day-to-day lives.

So, how can we offset this dependency? Many individuals turn to digital detoxes to disconnect from technology. A digital detox completely avoids or intentionally reduces the time spent on technology. The most common items that people tend to avoid during their detox are emails, texts, video games, TV, and their smartphones or tablets.

As we start to move into 2023, detoxing from the digital world can help us to focus on the present moment, and reduce distractions.

Benefits of a digital detox

If you’re unsure of whether you might need a digital detox, it may be worth checking in on how you currently interact with technology and social media and how they make you feel in general. A few signs that we suggest you look for include:

• The urge to check your phone every few minutes
• Trouble keeping focus on the task at hand
• Disrupted sleep
• Feeling obligated to respond to messages immediately

If you’re experiencing any of the above, a digital detox could be the way to move forward. Whether you’re just needing some time away from the stress of being online, or find yourself easily distracted, there are a whole load of benefits to starting a digital detox.

Increased mental well-being: Studies have continuously shown that taking short breaks from social media can positively affect someone’s overall well-being, emotions, and life satisfaction.

Enhanced focus and productivity: This is no surprise, but as you become free from distractions, there is more time to give attention to your responsibilities.

Improved sleep: Disconnecting from your devices a few hours before going to sleep is proven to improve your sleep quality. Studies have shown that those who used social media before going to bed were more likely to have anxiety, insomnia, and short sleep durations.

Relationships: Putting your phone away in social situations can help you stay engaged with the people around you. This will allow you to be more involved in situations, improving relationships in your life.

How to do a digital detox

If you’re ready to start a digital detox, we have some tips to help you ensure you are getting the most out of this time. When going through this, it’s important to remember the reasons why you’ve decided to detox in the first place.

Set realistic goals: The goals you work towards in your digital detox can be 100% personalised to you. Whether this is reducing your general screentime, or refraining from using any type of technology, it’s important to keep in mind that your goal must be realistic. For example, if you are in a role where you spend most of your time on a laptop or computer, then it will be pointless to try and limit your computer usage on weekdays.

Create healthy boundaries: If you’re aiming to limit your time online, then this can be applied to a wide variety of activities and elements in your everyday routine. For example, if you are someone who likes to exercise, simply switching your phone to aeroplane mode during this time means you won’t receive any notifications, and can improve your focus.

New hobbies to occupy your mind: Now you’re spending less time with technology, it’s a question of what you’ll do with this new time! Aside from gaining back time to work on your responsibilities, this time is perfect to look at activities that make you feel good. Spending time with friends and family, reading that book you’ve always wanted to, going for a walk, or signing up for a new exercise class are just some of the things you can look to do.

Deciding to detox from the digital world is big and disconnecting from this can make you feel anxious as a result of the fear of missing out. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel like this and that as you continue with your detox, you’ll start to understand more deeply your relationship with technology and what brings you happiness.