How To Give Yourself a Proper Digital Detox
This guest blog post was curated for Bucky by Lauren Laporte.
In the time of the escalating coronavirus pandemic and quarantine regime, technology is the main link to the outside world for most of us. While social distancing ourselves is the best way to remain safe these days, it can do damage to our mental well-being, causing many of us to turn to electronic devices as a way of distancing ourselves from the reality outside.
However, this coping mechanism may not be the healthiest approach to handling the ongoing situation. Giving up our daily routine of spending the time on our smartphones and taking a break from social media or binge-watching movies seems nearly impossible. But how do you even start a digital detox and why is it so important for your well-being?
Set limits and remove distractions
Going full tech-free or at least limiting your screen time can significantly improve the way you function every day and it can do great things for your health. There is no denying that our tech devices can be very helpful and useful, but taking a break from our digital tools seems like a more productive way to utilize the time we spend at home. By removing distractions and setting boundaries on device usage, you’ll be able to focus more on your well-being.
Consider creating specific time blocks during which you can use tech tools, either to check the news, contact someone or scroll through your work tasks and social media feed. That way, you’ll prevent spending more time using your e-devices than you planned to.
Focus on your sleep routine
It’s well-known that heavy device use, particularly before bedtime, can interfere with sleep quality and quantity which might lead to anxiety and increased stress. The blue light that emits from our digital screens is interfering with our sleep pattern and making us increasingly sleep-deprived.
Therefore, you should skip using electronic devices before going to bed as this can lower your sleep quality and cause daytime sleepiness. By simply putting away your smartphone/tablet in the hours leading up to bedtime you’ll find that you sleep much better.
Rely on non-electronic swaps
Practicing a digital detox doesn’t have to be as challenging as it sounds. A couple of changes goes a long way in making the process much more bearable by simply introducing a couple of non-electronic swaps into our everyday routines. Look for products that are in line with the popular digital minimalism movement and support your intention to disconnect from technology. For instance, you can abstain from using a digital watch and opt for non-electronic Swiss watches that produce no ticking sound. This will allow you to achieve mental balance while being able to own your time instead of it owning you.
Another way of getting less dependent on technology is to consider replacing your e-reader with printed books and draw using a pen and paper instead of a tablet. In making an effort to limit your use of electronic devices daily, you can boost your productivity and creativity, increase your attention span, and reduce stress.
Use the technology to your advantage
Being blocked from going outside during the quarantine also means less walking and reduced physical activity. However, another way to make technology work for you during the digital detox would be to use it as a powerful source of motivation to live more healthily and practice self-care.
You can fill your time with simple self-care activities and consider starting a nutrition challenge by trying a new Chrono diet or use the Internet to watch yoga tutorials and workout at home. In doing so, you’re sure to keep boredom away while ensuring a fitness routine and an optimal health level. There are so many ways to put technology to good use – sometimes, it’s all about changing our way of looking at things and making the most out of them.
Conclusion
When it comes to digital detox, it’s all about making better use of your time while being independent of digital gadgets. There are plenty of ways to practice digital minimalism and each individual can come up with a different way to use tech tools to their advantage. You can restrict the use of digital devices for a specific period, or you can schedule days when you’ll go tech-free.
As much as stressful and uncomfortable giving up tech tools may seem, taking a break from your electronic devices can be a rewarding experience that can improve your health and sleep in more than one way. Whether you choose to give up all electronic devices or restrict your use of one of them for a specified time is up to you.
One thing’s for sure – once you get used to it, you’ll be much more likely to continue living less attached to your electronic devices after the quarantine is over.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Laporte is a health writer with a passion for natural healing and getting lost in the wilderness. Her aim is to travel far and wide through the diverse countryside to appreciate those rural gems and the quietude that they bring.
*Bucky does not endorse any products or practices suggested by guest bloggers. All ideas and opinions are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Bucky.