Why Not Try A “Digital Detox”?
According to recent research there are approximately 80 million mobile phone subscriptions currently active in the UK. In 2021 98% of Britons aged between 16 and 24 owned a smartphone.
But let’s not be “ageist” – around 69 per cent of over 65s also possess a
mobile phone.
With stats like these it’s not surprising that almost everywhere we look –
in the office, in restaurants, shops, airports, gyms – you name it – someone
will be either looking at, speaking into or listening on a mobile phone.
And it’s not great for our health or wellbeing.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a Digital Detox as “A period of time during
which you do not use mobile phones, computers, etc., because you usually use
these devices too much”
The phrase “constant connectivity” usefully describes the prevailing state
of people who seem “welded” to their mobile phones; apparently unable to go
through a day without checking if someone (anyone) is trying to get in touch
with them.
Of course it’s not just mobiles that induce this dependence. Computers,
television, tablets, smartwatches and the social media platforms which
infest these media delivery devices all play their part in enticing the user
into their world in which “Fear Of Missing Out” (FOMO) can be a crippling
affliction for some people.
Digital equipment is so embedded in our everyday lies that society very much
relies on this technology for communication, creativity, productivity and
recreation. People feel they can’t do without it. And they need to realise that this over-reliance on and over use of digital solutions is causing stress levels to rise.
In the USA the American Psychological Associations’ annual Stress in America
survey, a fifth of U.S. adults (around 18%) cited technology use as a
significant source of stress in their life.
Let’s face it. Smartphones interfere with life. They can stop you getting on
with doing things – reading, writing, exercising, sleeping, chatting with your partner..! Glancing around the gym I will see most users glued to their screens in between sets; not enjoying the mindfulness of exercise, or socialising with other members.
Studies have indicated that over-use of technology by young adults could be
associated with increased levels of stress, sleep deprivation and symptoms
of depression.
I would like to thank www.verywellmind.com for publishing the following
advice:
Signs You Might Need a Digital Detox
*You feel anxious or stressed out if you can’t find your phone
*You feel compelled to check your phone every few minutes
*You feel depressed, anxious, or angry after spending time on social media
*You are preoccupied with the like, comment, or reshare counts on your
social posts
*You’re afraid that you’ll miss something if you don’t keep checking your
device
*You often find yourself staying up late or getting up early to play on your
phone (every heard the term ‘doom-scrolling’??)
*You have trouble concentrating on one thing without having to check your
phone
Will a Digital Detox Do The Trick?
So, if we all took it upon ourselves to undertake a “Digital Detox” by
putting aside these tools of constant contact for a day or so, how much
better would we feel?
Most obvious is that we would be free to give our full attention to what is
happening in front of us; engage with actual people and experience real-life
situations in a truly “holistic” sense.
Face-to-face social interaction is far more valuable and satisfying than
“facetime” via a smartphone. Do you remember the stress of trying to get your point across on a Zoom meeting versus a real-life interaction with your colleagues?
The “always on/constant connectivity” condition which the smartphone, and
the other communication paraphernalia encourages is actually creating stress
rather than relieving it.
Doing a “Digital Detox”
Some people are happy (and able) to give up using digital devices for a day
or even longer. But this might not work for you. The first thing to say is
that you don’t have to abandon digital devices altogether. If you want to
throw away your smartphone that’s up to you, but for most people it just
requires a little “management” of the usage.
For example, if you need to be contactable for any reason such as for work
or collecting children from school, then you may need the mobile to be
ready and at hand rather than switched off and in a drawer!
In these cases, switching off the mobile after work may be a way to
interrupt the “constant connection”. Perhaps try to avoid using any digital
device for an entire evening.
It’s also a good idea to limit the availability of your digital devices when
you’re going to bed, having a meal, during “quality time” with your family
etc.
Turn off alerts on your phone and only check it for updates or news at a
specific time of the day.
You might feel more comfortable if you simply stay away from using your
devices for one whole day. On the other hand, you could choose to forego
using social media for a time.
However you decide to manage limiting usage of digital devices you can be
confident that it will pay off and facilitate more meaningful social
interaction, better sleep, greater awareness of your surroundings and lower
levels of stress.
What’s not to like about a Digital Detox?
Acknowledgements:
www.statista.com
befitnessandpt.co.uk 