Our lives are entangled in the technological world. Some of its educational and communication benefits are evident in just how much we manage to achieve daily by ourselves. The digital age has made life a lot more interesting, it’s made the world far more accessible and we are more connected to each other than any other time in history because of the internet and social media.
Our cellphones and computers are sometimes interchangeable and we have all the information in the palm of our hands. All of this is really positive but how do we curb a growing addiction to our screens that light-up 24/7? A digital detox is one of the ways to control your technological usage regularly. Here are some suggestions on how you can stick to a digital detox.
1. Make a list of all your gadgets
It’s common for one person to have one main gadget they use daily but more and more people are using different gadgets for their daily functions. Make a list of all those gadgets; cellphones, laptops, tablets etc. On the opposite side of the gadget list, list all the things you would love to do on a daily basis that you never get time to do. Make sure you dedicate certain times to one gadget and keep logs of when you use each gadget. Prioritise the things you do not get to do that do not involve gadgets. Start doing those things.
2. Give yourself a time allowance for gadgets
Some of the anxiety and stress in our lives is caused by the fact that we are always plugged in. People receive hundreds of messages, phone calls, and notifications daily contributing to stress. Make sure you segment the time you spend on devices and have periods of not using your device. The best way to create an allowance is have set times every few hours where you check message and notifications. Switch off the notifications for social media apps like Facebook and check your messages a few times during the day.
3. Download some digital detoxing apps
If managing your time on social media or controlling the use of your device is too much for you, there are digital detox apps that can help. The Digital Detox Challenge app is a good start, other apps like ShutApp are also a good way to disconnect. These apps allow you to disconnect and also invite friends to do the same.
4. Delete unnecessary apps from your device
Our cellphones are like mini computers these days with so many ways to communicate, consume media and keep informed about the world. Sometimes the best way to begin a digital detox is to delete social media apps you do not need. Deleting them does not mean you still can’t access them when you want to. You could always log in whenever you feel like but not having them on your phone will force you to use them less frequently.
5. Take your digital detox to your social circles
You could encourage your friends and family to join you on your digital detox journey by asking them to hand in their cellphones for a small period when you are spending time with them. Even an hour to start could yield some surprising results.
