The term ‘Digital Detox’ means taking a break from using any digital or electronic devices for a certain period of time from a few days to several months.These devices generally include portable handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets as well as computers,laptops and even televisions. A ‘Digital Detox' is primarily done to avoid being addicted or obsessed with digital devices and mentally relaxed by taking some time to enjoy the physical or real world. This enables maintaining a healthy balance between normal life and the time a person spends using such electronic devices. A subset of a digital detox is a social media detox,in which an individual voluntarily keeps off of social media platforms. Motivations for performing only a subset of a digital detox could be attributed to the total time spent on social media platforms and the related psychological effects. The biggest motivators for embarking on a digital detox holiday include mindfulness, technostress, relaxation, and self-expression. A 2015 survey conducted by Deloitte found that around 59% of smartphone users check a social media platform in the five minutes prior to going to bed, and within 30 minutes of waking up. Finally, the idea of a digital detox is to disconnect from the online world to focus more on the present moment without distractions.
Digital Detox is so important now
Less stress
24-hour availability, being constantly online, messages all day via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, email and numerous other messenger apps. Whether via smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC or smartwatch - the more digital devices we use, the more stress it causes us. By taking a break from all these tools and technologies, we can (re)focus on the essentials, relax and pursue the things that are really important to us personally.
Better sleep
Checking the news on your mobile or streaming a video before falling asleep? This has become a habit for many people. Studies show that it literally robs us of sleep when we when we use our smartphone, tablet or laptop before going to bed. Reason: The bright display light inhibits the production of melatonin in our body - and we need melatonin to fall asleep.
But even if we don't use the smartphone or tablet and have it lying next to our bed, these devices can have a detrimental effect on our sleep and thus on our health. This is because smartphones, laptops and tablets generate electrosmog around the clock - even in flight mode or when they are on standby.
The dark side of our digital world
There are clear advantages to our new age of technology. Never have we had such instantaneous communication abilities, or access to terabytes of information at our fingertips. The digital age has changed jobs, increased productivity, improved transparency, and made our lives easier.
But all those benefits come at a cost. We are quickly learning there are negatives to our digital world.
Information overload. This state of being overwhelmed by a never-ending stream of news and communication can cause anxiety, poor decision making, loss of focus, reduced productivity, and more.
Jobs at stake. As technology continues to evolve, more jobs are becoming redundant.
Increased multitasking. Technology encourages multitasking, but it may not be what our brains were designed to do.
Shorter attention spans. Our attention spans are growing shorter as we try to consume all this information, resulting in less focus and reduced productivity.
Privacy issues. With so many aspects of our lives now online, technology threatens our privacy—from targeted marketing to the nightmare of a stolen identity.
Is a digital detox right for you?
If you are feeling any of the following, you might want to consider a break from your devices.
You feel the need to check your phone constantly; you can’t concentrate unless you check your device often.
You feel that you are missing out on something if you are not checking your phone for notifications and social posts regularly.
After spending time on social media, you feel sad, angry, or anxious.
If you can’t find your phone, it triggers stress and anxiety.
Your devices disrupt your sleep.
You begin comparing yourself to others on social media.
You’d rather interact with individuals virtually than in person.
Your device is causing work-life balance issues, with work creeping into your personal time because your device is always on.
Benefits of a digital detox
When you step away from your devices and focus on the real world, you'll experience several benefits, including:
- Less stress
- Improved focus
- Better sleep
- Enhanced relationships
- More time to do things you enjoy
How to do a digital detox
If your relationship with your devices is interfering with other priorities, it may be time to think about cutting back on your digital life and focusing more on the real world.
For some individuals, a full detox may be an option. But for most, cutting yourself off completely from all things digital may not be realistic. So rather than going “cold turkey” you can take small steps and still reap the benefits.
Make a plan. The first step is to decide what is negatively impacting you and take steps to change that. If you’re on your phone too often, try setting certain times during the day to check your email, messages, and notifications rather than constantly having your phone in hand. If it’s your social media activity that is causing stress, perhaps take a break from those sites for a day or a week and see how you feel.
Set specific goals. Once you’ve determined your plan, make it specific. For instance, you can choose to have device-free meals with family. You might opt to take a break from Instagram or Snapchat for a week, or maybe just set a daily time limit for your social media usage. Turning off notifications is another option, and a great way to minimize that urge to constantly check your device. Or monitor and limit your usage with settings and tools easily available on your device or through an app. Whatever you choose, it’s important to commit to it, be specific, and give yourself time to break your old habits.
Tell family and friends. This is an important aspect to your detox. Let your family and friends know you are taking a break from your device(s) or online activity and not to expect immediate responses from you. This support can be a great help as you try to live a less-connected life.
Evaluate your results and make your changes permanent. Once you’ve given your detox the time and commitment needed, step back and assess how you’re feeling. Do you feel less stressed? Has it improved your productivity or sleep? Do you feel more focused, or seem to have more time on your hands? Once you’ve figured out the benefits, it will be easier to continue to practice what makes you feel better!
There’s a great article from CNN Health on how to get started with a digital detox. But remember: if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care provider or a mental health provider for help.
About the Creator
My Sweet-Thang: Loving You in the Quiet Spaces
Love is often described through grand gestures—flowers, promises, and dramatic declarations. But real love, the kind that settles deep into the bones, rarely announces itself loudly. It arrives softly. It stays quietly. And somehow, it changes everything. That is what you are to me, my sweet-thang. You are not the noise in my life. You are the calm that follows it. In a world that constantly demands attention, speed, and perfection, you exist like a pause—a breath I didn’t know I was holding until you showed me how to release it. Loving you does not feel rushed or forced. It feels natural, like something my heart always knew how to do, even before it knew you. What makes you special isn’t something that can be easily explained. It’s in the way you listen—not just to my words, but to the silences between them. It’s in how you notice the small shifts in my mood before I even understand them myself. It’s in the comfort you offer without being asked, and the patience you show without keeping score. You love me in ways that don’t need proof. With you, I’ve learned that love doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. It can exist in shared glances, late-night conversations, and the simple reassurance of knowing someone is there. Even when nothing extraordinary is happening, being with you feels enough. That’s a rare thing. There are days when the world feels heavy—when responsibilities pile up, when doubts creep in, when exhaustion settles deeper than sleep can fix. On those days, you don’t try to fix me. You don’t rush me toward positivity or pretend everything is fine. You sit with me in the discomfort, and somehow, that makes it lighter. That’s love in its truest form. I don’t love you because you complete me. I love you because you understand me. You allow me to be myself—unpolished, uncertain, and still worthy of care. With you, I don’t feel the need to perform or pretend. I can simply exist, and that existence is met with warmth instead of judgment. You’ve shown me that love is not about possession, but presence. Being with you has changed the way I see affection. It’s no longer about constant excitement or dramatic highs. It’s about stability. About choosing each other, again and again, even on ordinary days. Especially on ordinary days. Because ordinary days are where life truly happens. My sweet-thang, you are the kind of love that doesn’t fade when the excitement settles. You are the kind that deepens. The kind that grows roots. The kind that feels safe enough to last. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t pretend love guarantees certainty or perfection. But I do know this: loving you feels honest. It feels real. And in a world full of temporary things, that reality is rare and precious. You are not just someone I love. You are someone I choose. Every day. In quiet ways. With a steady heart. And that, my sweet-thang, is everything.
By Zahid Hussaina day ago in Art
Comments