10 ways to digital detox your life
Since the whole world has gone digital, it is difficult to resist technology. However, being connected does not need you to spend all of your time tied to your phone or computer. There are ways to use less technology in your life without feeling like you’re missing out on anything. It’s simple to get caught up in the hype of technology and constantly want more; more alerts, more social media postings, more Instagram likes. To experience genuine interactions with the people around you, you only need to be a bit creative with your schedule and practice some self-care.
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Give social media a rest.
Taking a vacation from social media is the first step in digital detoxing. It might be intimidating to consider turning off your phone, computer, and tablet, but it’s necessary to unplug sometimes. The following advice will help you with this: Every day, schedule a time when you won’t check your gadgets. For instance, you may be doing this while driving or having lunch at work.
To avoid interruptions from alerts that are continuously appearing on the screen in front of you, if it’s feasible, switch off notifications for all applications. Additionally, it will prevent interruptions during those defined “no device” hours.
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Reduce your screen time.
If you’re like most people, you always have access to your smartphone, which you may use day or night. While staying in touch with friends and family may have been more difficult in the past, contemporary technology has made it easier to do so now. But, some experts are referring to this as an addiction.
Set a one-hour daily limit for screen use. This includes any use of a computer or television, as well as texting, making calls, playing video games, and using other electronic devices like tablets or e-readers.
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Increase your time outside.
One of the greatest ways to disconnect from technology is to spend time outside, particularly if you live in a city or suburb with little access to the outdoors. Spending time outside might really make you feel more at ease and less worried about technology, despite the fact that this may seem paradoxical. Additionally, the sun will provide you with some essential vitamin D.
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Turn off notifications on the phone
Because they are often connected to the want to check our phones, notifications may be a source of worry. Additionally, if you think there could be something crucial waiting for you on the app or website that’s giving you alerts, they make it difficult to concentrate on what you’re doing and encourage obsessive checking.
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Leave the phone at home when you go to hang out
Your phone’s notifications should be turned off so you can fully appreciate the moment without interruption. Turning off or muzzling all noises is also a smart idea so that even if you leave the phone in another room, it won’t ring nonstop if someone messages or calls.
Don’t use your phone to watch over kids who are old enough to play alone. They also need to spend time with their parents. It will be more enjoyable than playing video games regardless of if they are old enough to be left at home and have supper waiting for them when you return.
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Set boundaries for your phone use at work.
Avoid using your phone when it is improper to do so, such as when driving or in meetings with others who are not using their phones. Rather than spending hours in front of a computer or other screen, get up and move about during breaks.
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Put your phone in a different room at night
Work your way up to 8 pm by starting with a shorter window of time. If you usually check your email around 11 o’clock at night, consider disconnecting from the internet at 10 o’clock. Then work on advancing by an hour every week until it becomes second nature to you.
When going to bed, turn your phone to quiet or airplane mode, then put it somewhere else so that no one can call or text you in the middle of the night, and if they do, there won’t be any audible notification sounds. This will guarantee that there is absolutely no temptation to check social media before shutting off all gadgets and getting ready to go to sleep.
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Turn off notifications for a week
Turning off all the alerts that are continuously distracting you from the present moment is the first step in engaging in a digital detox. You can go into your phone settings and temporarily disable email, text messages, and social media notifications. In order to let people know when they can contact you, you may also want to think about putting up an “away” message (I suggest something along the lines of: “Please leave a voicemail if it’s urgent”). Give yourself one week to see how much better life can be without technology’s continual interruption.
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Take it slow
Try taking 10-minute breaks from electronics instead if you’re having problems getting away for a vacation. If you want the advantages of being in nature, spending time in it is necessary in addition to just going outdoors. And even if your primary objective is to avoid screens, there are alternative methods to disconnect that don’t need you to leave your house.
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Understand the priorities of your life
It may not occur to you, yet technology may significantly increase your life’s stress levels. It might be challenging to determine what is most important and where technology has no place in the world with all the information that is constantly being thrown at us. It’s critical to understand when a digital detox is necessary and the best ways to participate in one in order to prevent being overloaded with all of this information.
Take some time off
A digital detox may not sound like the easiest thing to do, but once you get into a new routine of switching off and enjoying life’s moments before they pass, you won’t regret it. Follow Frankly Health for the best health and wellbeing tips.
