Technology has progressed faster than some of us can even comprehend, especially within the last decade or two. The rise of the internet, especially, has improved our way of communicating with the people around us, even if they’re on the other side of the world. However, too much of anything can turn into a bad thing. The negative side effects of overexposure to the online world have been proven time and time again. This is why performing a digital detox may be necessary to live a healthier lifestyle.
A digital detox is when you purposely avoid using any electronic devices or accessing the internet for a certain amount of time. This is to help you avoid the negative effects of going online too much. Some of these negative effects include self-esteem issues, sleeping problems, anxiety, depression, and time management issues.
At the same time, taking a break from technology will result in less stress, improved concentration, better time management, and better sleep. Here are some tips to keep in mind when starting your own digital detox journey.
Set your own pace.
The internet is a necessary aspect of our day-to-day life now, making it impossible to completely detach from. Instead, doing a digital detox means finding ways to limit your digital media consumption rather than quitting it cold turkey. Find a way to start your detox in a way you’re most comfortable with. You can start off slow by limiting certain aspects of internet browsing one by one. Or, you could cut off a majority of your digital habits from day one if you think that would be more effective. It all depends on which method works best for you.
Track your app usage and plan accordingly.
A great way to review your phone usage is by tracking which apps you use and how often. There are many apps available that can track how many hours you use a specific app. This can help you reflect on your phone usage and limit yourself accordingly. Some apps can even aid your digital detox journey by blocking access from social media sites and apps for a certain amount of time.
Mute your notifications.
Have you ever resolved to put your phone down, but then immediately picked it back up after seeing a notification? Keeping your notifications on can make it challenging to stay away from your devices. Muting your notifications can help you stop checking your phone, since nothing will be tempting you into picking it up. You can instead schedule a time to look at everything you’ve missed at the end of the day.
Reflect on your progress.
Once you’ve started on your digital detox journey, it’s just as important to check in on yourself throughout it. What positives and negatives have you experienced throughout your detox? Are you replacing any bad habits you once had with a different one? If so, what can you do to prevent this? The digital detox process is based on trial and error, as well as learning what works for you and what doesn’t. Be sure to check with yourself often so that you can improve and get even better results.
The first few days or weeks of your digital detox will certainly be challenging. However, with enough patience and determination, you’ll soon find yourself less dependent on technology and more grounded with your real life. Good luck on your digital detox journey!