Need for a digital detox?

Do you look at your mobile phone first thing in the morning and last thing, before going to sleep at night? How many times do you peek at your phone screen during the day? Honestly, while in class, attending a business presentation or even… during a meeting with your client? While at the dinner table with family or during a date with your special one?

While the use of technology is indeed very helpful and even essential, making judicious use of it has become an important issue for many. Life is generally getting busier, and more hectic. Precious moments spent with family, friends and close ones tend to be rarer and short. At an individual level, you could be compromising your professional productivity and personal well-being! These are some of the reasons why you should pay attention to and consider taking a digital detox at regular intervals if needed!

“Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest party pooper of our lives. It interrupts our own story, interrupts our ability to have a thought or a daydream, to imagine something wonderful, because we’re too busy bridging the walk from the cafeteria back to the office on the cell phone.” – Steven Spielberg.

Digital devices assist me in so many ways, but I also keep an eye on my screen usage habits. While my work gets done and I stay in contact with my circle of friends through social media, on the other hand, I also take time to breathe fresh air, eat healthily, exercise, meditate, spend (face-to-face) time with people, and more…

Some benefits of taking a digital detox include (but aren’t limited to):

Increased productivity

By avoiding to look at your phone or check emails every other hour, you will be able to remain focused on important work and get things done, as per on your to-do list.

Better relationships

While with friends and family, having a ‘no phone’ time will help to strengthen relationships, and truly live ‘in the moment’.

Eye strain

While you’re likely to look at screens during the day at work, once at home you could be keeping up with friends on social media. We’ve all heard how blue light might be a cause for eye strain.

Better sleep

Not looking at your phone before bedtime helps to sleep well. Keeping your phone away from your bed, helps even more if you want to resist the temptation to check your phone in the middle of the night!

Wellness

Taking time for a variety of activities helps in a holistic way. Allocate time for fitness exercises, read a paper book, attend a workshop, go to networking events, relax at the spa… Do things to develop yourself in diverse ways, having additional benefits.

Some people are even using apps that reward them for not over-using their phones!

My digital detox experience

To find out how I manage my time on devices, you may wish to read my 3 parts blog post series. In ‘Eluding screen addiction (1)!‘, I tell you how a moment of digital detox brought me great serenity! In ‘Eluding screen addiction (2)!‘, I tell you how I manage notifications for my devices, social media, email and more. In the third post, ‘Eluding screen addiction (3)!‘, I highlighted some of the potential consequences of not controlling screen habits.

Last but not least, after having read my blog post if you conclude that you’re indeed in need of a digital detox, then I wish you well in your endeavour! In case you’re already taking measures, would you like to share your ideas? Please do so. Thank you!

Resources:

Definition of digital

definition of detox

Quote by Steven Spielberg