Digital Detox

Detoxing can be a struggle letting go of your digital life controller, although many people now with demanding technology driven jobs are taking time off to digitally detox. Dumping the technology for a few days to find inner peace away from it all on a Digital Detox Retreat or Getaway.

We have become so reliant on our digital devices it’s almost a really bad  addiction to technology.  Ever thought to break away from it to get a sense of balance in your life?  Getting back to life’s basics, get back to the land and social connectivity without a device in your hands or your face in a screen.

Some of the impacts of heavy use of technology on your well-being. You may recognise a few of these.

1) Do you suffer from panic attacks when you haven’t got it your phone? Feel totally lost without it? You will most probably be suffering from anxiety or Nomophobia. Nomophobia (NO MObile PHone PhoBIA) a fear of being detached from your phone.
2) Lack of social interactions.  Rarely have face-to-face contact with people.
3) Tech-no stress. Psychological condition of anxiety to new technology.
4) Difficulty to disconnect from work.  You’re a workaholic always contactable by the boss.
5) Decreased life satisfaction.  Trying to find the remedy digitally.
6) Sleepless nights.  In bed with your device (digital device).

Here are a few ways that you can start digitally detoxing.

1) Set limits on screen time. Set your boundaries to time spent with online activities.
2) Detach yourself from your phone. Leave it in another room.
3) Count how many times a day you pick up your phone, then focus on restricting your addiction.
4) Turn off all notifications. They are the catch to keeping you hooked.
5) Buy an old school alarm clock to stop you picking up your phone first thing in the morning.
6) Get outside. Go for short walks and leave your phone at home or in the car. You’ll be surprised how many calls you haven’t got by the time you look at your phone again.  You do have voicemail, use it!
7) Work can be difficult to digitally detox, unless you work for a large company that has detox breakout areas. If you’re working in a smaller business, ensure you take breaks away from your desk and spend minimum time looking at your phone.
8) The above are ways to wean yourself off usage for you to get a grip of the digital addiction.  Your device will always be part of your life, but it will not be your controller.

My detox story. I recently worked on a  rural farm helping with business development of a children’s activity site  with little or no phone signal. While the children were playing and enjoying themselves there was not a mobile phone in sight. The kids were having a fun time, and the parents were chatting. I didn’t look at my phone once throughout the time I was on site. In fact, all staff communication when needed was by old school walkie talkies. Being out and in countryside and noticing the surroundings rather than the content of my phone was the best well-being fix for me. It wakes you up to the control your devices have on your life.   

It’s up to you to set your own boundaries for your well-being. We are all programmed now to be contactable all the time,  to buy stuff and play games, but have you got the will to detach yourself from your devices? Are you brave enough?

Click here for more information about Digital Detox Retreats and Getaways.

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