How to have a digital detox day and why you should

Digital Detox might be just as offensive to you as hearing the C word, but stick with us.

We live in a world centered around devices.

Chances are, you wake up in the morning and look at your phone to see the time. You notice a watsapp message. It’s from your friend who you went out with at the weekend. You remember the picture you posted on socials. You swipe across to see if its had any likes. You probably should check your email too. You need to reply to…

Before you know it you’ve been on your phone for 20 minutes before you’ve even seen daylight.

You’re not alone if that sounds like you.

It’s us too.

What is a Digital Detox?

Digital detox means switching off your digital devices for a set amount of time, maybe an hour, a day, or even a week…

This might feel like an impossible task.

You’ll likely find yourself saying “I can’t do a Digital Detox because…” but, we’ve got some excuses covered:

I can’t do a Digital Detox because….

I need my phone for emergencies

Sign out of and delete your most addictive apps

I use my phone for my work’s social media

Keep your work social media open and remove your personal one. Only use your work social media when you are working on socials for WORK

I use my phone for work calls

Do a detox day on a weekend, or use the evening/morning/lunch break for a digi detox

Why should you do a digital detox

Research has found that 18% of adults see tech as a source of stress in their life. Keeping up with emails, texts, Watsapp groups, and seeing things on social media, can all contribute to micro stresses through the day.

Over the course of the day all these micro stresses can add up, leaving you feeling pretty stressed by lunchtime.

Here are 6 reasons why you should switch off your device for a time

Sleep better
Spend more time with loved ones
Better work/life balance
Lose any FOMO
Keeps you in the moment
Avoids comparison

How to easily do a digital detox

A true digital detox is going to be ditching all devices for a set time. However, this isn’t always realistic.

You might start with short stints without your phone to get you out of the habit of always checking it. You could set yourself some boundaries, like leaving your phone upstairs in the evenings, or going for a walk phone free.

Once you have got in the habit of leaving your phone and devices alone for short periods of time you might start being able to go longer without checking it.

Here are a few other times you could ban yourself from using your phone or device:

When you’re with friends and family
When you are out walking (have it on you by all means, but don’t walk around scrolling Insta, look up!)
When you’re eating meals
When you first wake up or are going to bed
When you are immersed in a hobby – don’t break the creative spell!
When you’re exercising

Motivation for a digital detox

“Our generation would rather spend years trying to impress, please and prove a point to thousands of total strangers online, than invest a little more time into a handful of relationships that really matter.” – Steven Bartlett

“On your deathbed, are your last words going to be, ‘I wish I’d checked Instagram more’?

“Never be cool. Never try to be cool. Never worry what the cool people think. Head for the warm people. Life is warmth. You’ll be cool when you’re dead.” – Matt Haig

Share it