“Just turn off your phone!”
“Why can’t you just switch it off?”
“Can’t we just talk to each other?”
You’ve probably received many warnings to turn off your phone and other devices. You may have even rolled your eyes when you heard them. I mean, can you imagine living without technology? It opens up possibilities for communication previously past generations would have deemed impossible.
Is it really that dangerous to stay connected to our devices?
The answer is a resounding YES.
The Effects Of Always Being On
Electronics make our lives better in many ways, including keeping us in touch with friends and family around the world. But being connected to others constantly can wear on our well-being. It can cut into our long-term happiness and lower our overall satisfaction with life.
The benefits of taking a digital detox (or even small steps toward one) are far-reaching. People who have taken a break from technology report a sense of feeling more closely connected to those around them. When we’re tied to our technological devices, our priorities shift from spending time with our loved ones in person and can easily disrupt our well-being. Stress can easily increase. We may feel more depressed and more alone in general when we spend an excessive amount of time using electronics to communicate with others, rather than communicating face to face.
How To Do A Digital Detox (Without Going Crazy)
A digital detox doesn’t have to mean you cut out technology altogether. You can take gentle steps toward using your devices less and listening to your body and mind more.
Here are a few guidelines to create your own digital detox. Use as many or as few as you desire:
1. Purge yourself of unnecessary electronic equipment. This approach can apply to entire devices all the way down to the apps on your phone. Take time to be critical about which electronics you use with regularity. Even eliminating half the apps on your phone narrows down your electronic clutter. It can lighten your mental load, even if you don’t stop using your phone altogether.
2. Schedule your social media posts. Taking just a little extra time to schedule social media posts ahead of time frees you up to post on social media at your leisure. There’s no need to update the world (or your pages) every day if you already have content scheduled.
3. Write in a journal. Give yourself a break from structuring every sentence to be perfect for Facebook. Some free writing in a journal can ease your mind and ease your desire to record yourself.
4. Reach out to friends in person or through a phone call. One easy break you can take from technology is to reach out to your friends personally whenever you need support. Most of us will just text when we want to communicate, but taking some time to call or meet in person can create welcome break from electronic communication.
5. Give yourself “breaks” for 1-2 days. You don’t have to give up your electronics for a very long time if you’re not ready to do so. Just take the weekend off, or stop at a certain time after work. Over time, you may even find these breaks to be addictive!
Have you ever attempted a digital detox? How did it go? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!