Observing A Digital Detox For The New Year
The world is so fast paced that we do not even have the time to wait or pause. A quote that has now become a cliché is that ‘The World Is A Global Village’. This is great because in a couple of seconds, we can get access to information on-the-go and even, speak with someone in real time not minding the time zone or distance.
Far is now near and here. But in all of this, we are getting more and more sucked in to our digital devices. As much as our phones, tablets, laptops or even smart watches are helpful to us. We should find time to stay connected with the physical world, with nature.
A lot of our information just keeps getting swallowed day by day by these devices, apps or websites. For every one app you know, there are another two that will do an even better job.
The pandemic didn’t even make this easier for us. No doubt, the digital sphere has saved us a lot of time, helped us stay connected and aided in protecting our health. We cannot undermine the good digital technology has done for us and what it still has to offer.
Still, for some of us it just got more and more addictive. We are watching for the next challenge, the next Tik Tok trend, the next clip to go viral, there is always more and more. All this is not even compared to the rate at which violence caused by false news can easily spread.
All it takes is a couple of minutes. One wrong tweet can cause a spark. What’s even worse is that we almost nearly now ‘rent’ the world we live in. there’s always a new subscription to add to our bills. Much more than ever at the beginning of the year is the need for a digital detox.
A Digital Detox is you voluntarily taking out time to abstain from your digital devices or even social media. It could be for 30 minutes or an hour in the day, a day in the week or a weekend in the month. It is a cleanse, a break.
Quick and Easy Steps to Observe A Digital Detox.
1. Turn off alerts and notifications. Turn on DND on your phone (Do Not Disturb). Or better still, turn off notifications from apps that can be distracting or triggering.
2. Find a detox buddy. An accountability partner would make the journey more fun. You can go on picnics or retreats together. Have self-care activities.
3. Manage your apps effectively. Another step is to uninstall apps you haven’t used in a long time or almost never use. You can also try accessing those apps with your computer.
4. Create a phone free time. This part might be a bit difficult. Our phones are so light, we need them for almost everything. But then, this step is almost important. In that time, take a walk around your neighborhood or stroll into a nearby store. It’d get easier with time.
5. Create a morning and bedtime routine. Create a routine that helps you stay away from digital devices. Probably no phones till after breakfast or your workout. You can try doing away with your phone for 1-2 hours before you sleep.
6. Let your friends and family be aware. It is important to let your friends and family know about your time away from the phone, in case they try to reach you. Avoid keeping your loved ones tense
7. Try to spend time outdoors. Spend time with nature, go to the park or the beach. Partake in activities that take your mind off your phone.
Remember that it’s a journey. The world is digital but we must find time for the things we can’t take online. If you work remotely, run an online business or course, do not neglect your devices and duties, with proper planning and management you’d be able to scale through, have your detox and still complete your tasks.
SHARE THIS POST