Technology is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has made our lives too easy and more convenient while on the other, it has promoted sedentary lifestyles. However, regardless of its pros and cons, most of us are hooked to it with everything we need—meetings with friends and family, entertainment, news, map etc. just a click or tap away.

So, when do you ever take a break from your phone, television or computer? May be you think you don’t spend that much time relaxing. And perhaps you find it harder to resist checking or scrolling through your phone or computer. Don’t worry, you are not alone.

In this 21^st century, technology is ever evolving no wonder most people are always having a gadget in their hand to check what’s new. But now, it’s becoming vital to shut down all things digital once in a while and focus on you.

I am going to discuss a hand full of important ways to kick start your digital detox without quitting along the way, but first, let’s understand why you should consider it.

Digital Detox Benefits

Our tech gadgets are always handy—phones, laptops, tablets etc. That’s the reason why experts are advising that constant need and reliance on our digital toys can turn unhealthy.

No doubt, technology has become a necessity for most things. However, when your life becomes too dependent on it, you can easily start ignoring other more important things in your life.

If technology stands in your way of your relationships, job, education, finances or whatever, then this is a red flag for destruction. Carrying out a digital detox once in a blue moon is an effective way to spend more time socialising or doing more useful things that you’ve been yearning to do like relaxing during a ‘me time’.

A digital detox shouldn’t last for months. It could take a day or two and can greatly help you to focus on what matters in front of you and not just what’s on your smart screen.

You can choose to focus on yourself and those around you and not worrying, snooping around on social media to see what others have been up to lately or finding work-related emails when you are out of office. Take the digital detox for a day or two, every now and then.

Technology Cleanse Tips

It’s never an easy thing to lock your phone or laptop away and be completely cut-off from the rest of the world, but if you can ease into it by trying for a day first, you’ll feel the difference.

Change One Habit At A Time

To make the quest a bit realistic, try give up one thing at a time. You can start by leaving your phone at home when you’re going out or by checking your emails only once during the day. After choosing the one habit to change, try it out on your first detox adventure. Once you achieve this, focus on another and combine them in the next digital detox. This will help you stick with your digital detox program and ease the challenge the first day.  

Alert Friends, Family and Colleagues

You may be discouraged from taking a digital detox because you’re worried about how your friends and loved ones will reach you especially in case of an emergency. Letting people know when and for how long you will take the digital detox challenge without your phone or laptop can help you feel more relaxed. When you do this, be sure to have the contact of someone who can reach you by other means in person or via landline in case of an emergency. You can also inform your social media contacts that you will be having a social media holiday so your friends and family will know what’s really going on. This will help you clear your mind of any worries, allowing it to just focus on yourself.

Log Out From All Social Networks

If you are taking a social media detox, it can be more difficult achieving success when your phone is constantly sending you notifications from various apps. This could make for a bait to get you back into the waters if it keeps vibrating or beeping next to you.

Be sure to log out of all your social media accounts. This will bar any notifications and you won’t have to be tempted to check your phone. If you can’t log off, then at least turn off your notifications so that you don’t receive them.

Make Deliberate Effort With Friends And Family

Have you ever tried to talk to someone while they are glued to their phone? Most often we consider that rude, however, so many of us do exactly that, in most cases unknowingly. With time, constant multi-tasking and self-conscious decisions lead to a lack of focus.

Try spend quality time with your family and friends. You can intentionally leave your phone at home, in the car or your bag so that you give your complete attention to others.

If you need to check something, schedule a time to do so and only check it then.

Spend Time In Places Where Use Of Phone Is Prohibited

When you begin your digital detox journey, visit places where phones are not allowed as this will make it easier for you. If you are a fan of yoga or meditation, this could be the ideal place to hang out. You can also consider some amazing self-care and relaxation time.

You can also take up swimming or jogging. This helps you avoid the temptation of checking your phone.

Be Easy On Yourself If You Really Have To

Sometimes totally shutting yourself from the use of technology can be a hard nut to crack particularly if it is your first digital detox. If you are afraid of stopping the detox altogether, you can go easy on yourself and take a short break. Give yourself specific time to use your phone or laptop such as 1 hour in the morning and another in the evening.

This will help you stick to your detox program without feeling too daunted. You can then shorten that time during your next detox until you are able to stop it completely for a day or two. 

Try And Do Something Totally New When on Your Digital Detox

Digital detoxing can present opportunities for you to try out new things you’ve longed to do. Use the time you are away from your phone or computer to offer a helping hand to someone, focus more on parenthood, help your mum with grocery shopping or volunteers at a charity during the weekend. If none of these makes you tick, then you can as well focus on just relaxing by meditating or getting a massage.

Digital detoxing should not be stressful—it’s meant to be a positive and more relaxing period.