Technology, like computers and the internet, helps us do our work and connects us with our family and community. But the other side of the coin is that too much time spent with gadgets is unhealthy. Research has proven that overuse of social media and tech gadgets may lead to eyestrain, depression, and a lack of focus, among other negative effects.
This is why a regular digital detox is very important. Many of us may feel the need for it, yet not know how to go about it. If we have started feeling stressed out whenever we are away from our devices, it might be a sign that we need to step back a bit. Or when we feel compelled to check our phones or laptops every few minutes, that’s another sign. Here are a few other signals to watch out for:
* Being too concerned about Likes, Comments, and Shares on your posts.
* Losing sleep or going out of your way to play, post, scroll, etc.
* Feeling afraid you’re missing out if you don’t check your socials.
* Experiencing intense emotions like sadness, anxiety, or anger after spending time on social media.
If you have decided to take the leap and do a digital fast, don’t be worried that you’ll have to miss important work announcements or family news. A digital detox can be crafted to fit your personal needs. Here are some ideas to consider:
* It can take many forms—you can give up the use of your devices for a short period (a weekend or one day, etc.), restrict your use to only one device (a phone), or refrain from using devices in one or more areas of the house (dining room, bedroom, for example).
* You can set a regular detox schedule, like one day a month, one week a year, during weekends, and so on—it’s totally up to you.
* You can also uninstall one or several apps/sites/games/tools that are taking up too much of your time.
We’ll share more tips on this next time. Watch out for Part 2 of this post towards the end of this month.
Comments