Your time on the phone has peaked again. You want to stop opening it to see what's happening on Instagram or TiKTok every two seconds, but it's impossible. Then, maybe it's time to take a break from your phone. The challenge is to initially spend 7 days without "fixing" and on a subsequent more difficult level, spend another 30 days.
"Digital devices can be a distraction when you want to focus on yourself," says mental health expert Lawrence Lovell. "A digital detox is beneficial for self-care and healing."
This could mean leaving your phone in the other room while you work, staying away from social media for a few weeks, or using your computer only for work.
What you need to know
There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for detox from your phone or social media. Instead of throwing your phone in a lake (and why we doubt you could do it), think about what kind of digital detox suits your life and needs now. Lovell says you do not need to turn everything off completely to take advantage of the breakup. Instead, she advises you to ask yourself about your inner boundaries and needs.
"I recommend adding 15 minutes to your detox time," Lovell suggests. "If the onset of anxiety persists over time, it could be a clear sign that you are trying to detoxify very quickly. Do everything gradually and do not punish yourself."
How to detox digitally in 24 hours and / or 7 days
A 24-hour digital detox challenge is not necessarily easy, but it is much simpler to do than a longer challenge. You can choose 24 hours a weekend for example when you know your boss will not call you suddenly. However, if you tend to be on the phone all the time, setting a 24-hour limit may be a bit excessive for the first time.
"Pay attention to family, friends and colleagues, but in real life and not just online. If you can talk to someone 'in real life', do it."
Another detox idea is to make a day break, for example: A day without social media, a day without texting, a day without watching my favorite Netflix series - and you repeat this cycle over and over for a week.
In short, choose what works best for you. Just make sure you are getting the best out of technology and it is not technology that is getting you the "best".
Source: Bustle
