How many times have you said or heard any of these phrases?
“Just turn off your phone!”
“Why can’t you just switch it off?”
“Can’t we just talk to each other?”
You’ve probably gotten a number of warnings from family or friends to turn off your phone and other devices. You might have even rolled your eyes when you heard them. I mean, can you imagine living without technology? Some days I feel as though my phone is my best friend. Say what?!?
That phone of mine opens up lines of communication that were impossible for past generations to experience.
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. We’ve also experienced the benefit of staying in touch with colleagues and conducting business thanks to technology during this time of sheltering at home. 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 devices, our priorities shift from spending time with those we care about in person. 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 Ease Into A Digital Detox
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’d like:
- 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.
- Schedule your social media posts. If you’re responsible for posting your company’s social posts, taking just a little extra time to schedule those posts ahead of time frees you up to take a break from technology.
- Write in a journal. Some free writing in a journal can ease your mind and ease your desire to record yourself publicly.
- Take mini-breaks. You don’t have to give up your electronics for a very long time if you’re not ready for a day-long break. Take an hour or two off; if you’re feeling like staying unplugged is going well, add another hour or two. Plan to unplug for two hours before bedtime.
Have you ever attempted a digital detox? How did it go? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
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