Why And How to Do a Mini “Digital Detox”

First off, I know there is a certain irony in posting this content online, but nevertheless it is necessary and, since virtually everyone uses the Internet in some form, it’s the perfect outlet.

Each and every year, the Internet becomes more and more a regular part of our lives. Back in the day, we used to simply use it for email, research and some web-scrolling. Today, it’s built into our phones, our cars, our televisions, our home appliances, watches and basically anything you can think of. Yes, the Internet is a spectacular tool and houses just about all information ever recorded by human beings. But, as we all know, it can have a very dark side too.

When I refer to this dark side, I don’t mean the most obvious of things, like criminal activity and predators lurking for young children. I mean an unhealthy attachment to technology and, in some cases, dare I say, addiction.

This obsession can lead to both physical and emotional consequences. As far as physical issues go, this could include weight-gain from being sedimentary, eye strain, back/neck/wrist pain from positioning and typing, poor sleep and so much more. As far as the emotional issues that can arise, these include depression, isolation, lack of social skills and plenty of other problems,

The hardest part may just be that we cannot avoid the Internet altogether. It is basically impossible considering many of us use it for work or education or as a form of communication. But, placing limits on how and when we use it can go a long way to freeing up time and improving emotional and even physical health.

So, if you want more out of life than what’s happening on the screen or the compulsive need to post any mundane detail in your day, perhaps these tips will help you.

Tip 1 – No devices 2 hours before bed

With the expectation of emergency calls, plan to stop using your phone a couple of hours before bed. Not only will this give you time for other things like real in-person communication with others, it will also help your brain limit the blue light that can harm sleep patterns.

Tip 2 – No devices during meals

First off, aside from being more hygienic, this allows you to use mealtime as a time to connect with others in-person and could help reduce mindless overeating.

Tip 3 – No devices anywhere without free Wi-Fi.

Whether you have unlimited data or not, shut your data off and use only your own or available free Wi-Fi. The only good exception to this would be GPS. In doing so, you won’t be tempted to use the Internet while engaging in anything from daily experiences to fun adventures outdoors. For example, if you are hiking in the area of beautiful waterfalls, wouldn’t it be a whole lot better to soak in the scenic views rather than trying to live-steam it all?

Tip 4 – Use a Black and White Mode

Did you know you can set your devices to show everything in black and white? While as a photographer I happen to like black and white images, I can also say they don’t tend to have the same attraction for people as colorful photos and videos. Doing this can help limit your interest in jumping on a phone or tablet whenever you get the urge for a random bit of content.

Tip 5 – Play Old-school games

Instead of playing things like solitaire or word games on your phone or tablet, opt for the real thing in a physical form. Get out an actual deck of cards and play solitaire on a table. Get yourself a crossword puzzle book and use a real pen or pencil to circle the words you find. Extend this practice to other games.

Tip 6 – Our phone is not your alarm clock

Use a real, old-school alarm clock. When you do this, you can shut off your phone and won’t be bothered by blue light, tempted to go online when you should be resting and don’t have to worry about setting it to a do-not-disturb mode to avoid random noises and notifications that could mess with your sleep habits.

Give these a shot and I bet you will not only feel like you are in better control of your digital life but also feel better overall.