By Trafalgar’s Editorial Team
This Content is Created By Kinga Burjan, M.A., R.P.
Why Try a Digital Detox?
Have you ever wondered how being on your smartphone has impacted your wellbeing?
Research shows many reasons to reduce smartphone usage. Heavy daily use of technology in adolescents can lead to decreased self-regulation and increased symptoms of ADHD.
Smartphone use in bed or within an hour before bed can disrupt your sleep…Not only does the phone’s blue light interfere with melatonin production which tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime it can psychologically stimulate your mind to stay awake.
The use of smartphones in social settings interferes with making meaningful connections and can increase feelings of loneliness.
Viewing the world through social media can distort reality, decrease self-esteem, and increase symptoms of depression and feelings of loneliness.
Excessive smartphone use affects your posture and can increase back and neck pain.
Getting stuck in a ‘dopamine loop’ can make you feel ‘hooked ’to your device, lowering your attention span when focusing on tasks that require longer-term attention.
Now that you know why it’s a good idea to reduce your smartphone use, here are some tips on how to go on a ‘digital detox’.
- Implement ‘no phone zones’ such as during meals to give a chance for real connections
- Charge your phone overnight outside of your bedroom to help prevent you from looking at your phone in the middle of the night.
- Ask your friends if they want to try keeping their phones off the table the next time you meet up.
- Limit your social media use to 30 minutes a day.
- Remove push notifications from social media sites or set up an app blocker to prevent being distracted by them.
- Schedule your time, including when you will be checking your social media… Creating a structure and scheduling breaks can lead to more productivity and greater work-life balance… You can even plan ahead and block one day of the month, one day of the week or a few days in a row where you don’t check your social media or use your smartphone
Take a moment to reflect on how reducing your smartphone and/ or social media use may benefit you?
Which strategy are you going to apply?
Take note of any feelings or thoughts that make come up before, during or after applying this strategy.
Remember that it is okay to reach out for help!
