Digital Detox: 5 Positive Health Benefits of Disconnecting Digitally by Victoria Munson APAC Jun 1st 2020 4 mins Considering a digital detox? You might find yourself overcommitting to social events out of the fear that you’ll be left behind. A great way to promote a more active lifestyle for children is to set limitations on their technology access. Here are five key ones: A more content and calmer you. This growing reliance on technology is taking us down a fast track to becoming mindless robots, fully incapable of functioning without our industrial gadgets. Anxiety is tied to the dopamine release we get when we receive stimulants like social media notifications or text messages. 2016; 170(12):1202-1208. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.2341, Misra S, Cheng L, Genevie J. Everything we do is to better our lives. In regard to physical health, technology usage often leads to more sedentary behavior. If you need your devices during the day for your job, try doing a mini-detox at the end of the workday. Even when you are at home or on vacation, it can be hard to resist the temptation to check your email, respond to a text from a colleague, or check in on your social media accounts. There are alternative free options too, of ⦠Physical Health Benefits. 5 â more creativity. If we give ourselves the permission to take a break from our devices, ⦠The results revealed that limiting social media use decreased symptoms of depression and loneliness.. You might find that it's helpful to leave your phone behind for at least a brief time. Other times when you might want to limit your digital device usage include: Research suggests that limiting your social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day can significantly improve well-being, decreasing symptoms of loneliness and depression., Restricting your mobile device usage immediately before you go to sleep may also be helpful. Whether you’re an overworked college student checking your Facebook, or a single bachelor watching reruns of The Office, a digital detox is a great way to promote healthy and conscious eating. Shutting off from technology for a given period of time can improve sleep and concentration, reduce stress, improve happiness, and even help with your mental health. In a study published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, researchers found that technology use played a role in determining an individual's work-life balance. found that over 90% of students believe it’s rude to use cell phones inside movie theaters, but even so, a quarter of them continue to do so. A month ago I decided to go on a digital detox whilst on our 2 week family holiday to France. Here are 30 reasons to do a digital detox; ideas to make you think, to challenge you, and to give you motivation. From reducing anxiety to improving your physical health, stepping away from your phone screen could help you reap a multitude of positive benefits. Loving yourself is the key to a happy life and successful relationship, and rediscovering yourself after unplugging from the internet sets you down the right path. Taking a break teaches us that we can live without constant stimulation, and lessens our dependence on electronics. Technology can help you save time, travel smarter, and learn new things, but it can also ⦠If you spend time on social media, you have probably found yourself comparing your own life to your friends, family, total strangers, and celebs. Help minimize the time you spend in your inbox with Spike and tweet us @SpikeNowHQ and ⦠Every time you see a curated image or post about someone else’s life, it can leave you feeling as if your life is less exciting than theirs. Jas says digital detoxes can improve concentration, sleep and focus, and bring a calmer, less anxious state of mind. Doing a digital detox is one way to set limits and reduce your fear of missing out. doi: 10.1177/0013916514539755, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. Ultimately, a digital detox is a way to disconnect to reconnect. This can pose a threat to building and maintaining real-life relationships. This can prevent students from eating consciously, which can promote unhealthy eating habits such as overeating. The Rochester Institute of Technology released a study that revealed students are more likely to eat while staring into digital media than they are at a dinner table. But for me, stepping away from my phone, the news and social media was immensely helpful. Benefits of Digital Detox During Addiction Recovery. A digital detox refers to a period of time when a person refrains from using tech devices such as smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and social media sites. The study suggested that the use of internet and mobile technologies influenced overall job satisfaction, job stress, and feelings of overwork.. When you arenât sheltering your attention behind a screen, you might realize you have more free time than you think. A break ⦠Bedtime Use of Technology and Associated Sleep Problems in Children. A 2009 study found that over 90% of students believe it’s rude to use cell phones inside movie theaters, but even so, a quarter of them continue to do so. If you have ever sat across someone at the dinner table who made more phone contact than eye contact, you might know exactly what I’m talking about. Benefits ⦠Applied Research in Quality of Life. There are many benefits to completing a digital detox, in terms of both physical and mental health. The distractions caused by digital devices (such as light and sound) can be irritable to others around you. When Iâm not consuming information, Iâm far more likely to create something or do something ⦠Studies show that the average office worker wastes at least a third of the day due to technology. This offers the perfect opportunity to switch off from daily life and to de-stress and reconnect with oneself. Here are a few strategies for creating a digital detox: A monthly digital-free day - Perhaps the first Saturday of every month means no screens or the last Sunday of the month is a quiet family day. In this context, training your eyes to look everywhere but screens, walking more as a result of not using ride-hailing apps, and cooking at home due to the absence of delivery apps all work in favor of your physical and mental health. The study also found a connection between nighttime tech use and increased body mass index., Researchers have also found that in-bed electronic social media use has adverse effects on sleep and mood. So, donât be afraid to disconnect. Your significant other will thank you. And going on a digital detox is a great way to lead your kids by example. This, in turn, encourages pleasure-seeking or validation-seeking behavior, which creates an environment for mental distress. There are some things that you can do to ensure that your digital detox is more successful: Going device-free can be uncomfortable and stressful at times. By forgoing digital devices, at least temporarily, people can let go of the stress that stems from constant connectivity. This means that eating has now become a multi-tasking activity, rather than a social and loving experience. Fear of missing out, known as FOMO, is the fear that you are missing the experiences that everyone else is having. While it isn’t always possible or even preferable to completely disconnect, setting limits on when these digital connections are allowed to intrude on your time can be good for your mental well-being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. Digital Detox Retreats. Setting boundaries on the type and timing of connections you’ll attend to helps ensure that you can enjoy real-world activities completely free of digital diversions. Technology plays a huge role in kids’ lives today, and some may argue too big of a role. A whopping 83% of American teenagers claim to play video games while other people are in the same room. A recent study reveals 60% of employers need to consult with at least 10 employees a day to get their work done. Apr 07, 2018. Thomée S, Härenstam A, Hagberg M. Mobile phone use and stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression among young adults--a prospective cohort study. The same goes for technology. Many social media apps including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and news websites send alerts every single time you get a message, mention, or new post. Truthfully, digital detox benefits might vary from person to person depending on their individual circumstances. “Detoxing” from digital devices is often seen as a way to focus on real-life social interactions without distractions. Written by Sabijn Linssen ã» Did you know that most young adults check their smart phone every 15 minutes? No more FOMO: Limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression. Technology should be used to enhance your life, however, there is a concern we are now over-using it in spades! Do You Have Nomophobia, or a Fear of Being Without Your Phone? While it may be hard, it can be a rewarding experience that will help you better understand your relationship with your devices and be more present and mindful in your other activities and experiences. We aim to inspire, educate, and empower individuals to create more mindful, meaningful, well-rounded lives both online and off. Back to articles. Another benefit to keeping all your electronics off is that it will allow you to establish good mannerisms and people skills. Pick a time when you want to turn off your devices, and then focus on spending an evening completely free of things like social media, texting, online videos, and other electronic distractions. The results found that using social media when you are in bed at night increases the likelihood of anxiety, insomnia, and shorter sleep duration., A study published in the journal Child Development found that heavy daily technology use was associated with an increased risk for mental health problems among adolescents. Technology has grand benefits in the workplace, but the amount of time spent opening emails, checking personal facebook pages, and responding to text messages could be greatly reduced if a cutback took place. A whopping. 2018;89(1):78-88. doi:10.1111/cdev.12819, Hunt, MG, Marx, R, Lipson, C, and Young, J. There are many digital detox benefits and incorporating them into your workday, no matter how small, will help you better balance your real and digital worlds. The initial purpose of technology was to serve mankind, but it can hurt us. Itâs a scary thought to think that weâre literally scrolling our lives and wellbeing away. Detaching from your devices can benefit your mental well-being, but doing a digital detox does not have to involve a complete separation from your phone and other tech connections. I have blogged before about my addiction to my smartphone but I really felt that I needed a break this time. Digital Detox Benefits. The sleep interference caused by these high-tech gadgets is another cause for psychological distress. "To sleep, perchance to tweet": in-bed electronic social media use and its associations with insomnia, daytime sleepiness, mood, and sleep duration in adults. Some might suggest that a true digital detox would involve predefined abstinence from any and all digital devices and social media connections, but it is important to make your device usage work for your own life and demands. JAMA Pediatr. And as far as the internet goes. The process is often more about setting boundaries and making sure that you are using your devices in a way that benefit, rather than harm, your emotional and physical health. Instead of reaching for your phone in movie theaters, on the treadmill at the gym, or in line at grocery stores, try turning it off and keep the public peace. Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Some ideas that you might consider trying: Some people find giving up their devices fairly easy. That’s why more health experts are recommending periodic digital detox or an extended period without gadgets. Once you spend some time away from the screens, your appreciation for real people and eye contact increases and you wonât be able to relate to that person you were only a week ago â a person who appreciates a like more than a kind word. Another way to start your digital detox is to turn off push notifications on your phone. HFR is an extremely motivated movement of people who want to create a healthier and fitter world www.healthfitnessrevolution.org. In other cases, you might feel like your device use has become excessive and is adding too much stress to your life. One study found that children who use digital devices at bedtime had significantly worse and less sleep. July 2018. As the saying goes, comparison really can be the thief of joy. Digital devices can be given a large chunk of the blame for this decline. Knowing the benefits of a digital detox after a breakup, you know have the information necessary to start anew. 2016;48(2). A whopping 78% of the teen respondents said that they check their digital devices hourly.. Block, MD, By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD, Heavy Device Use May Be Linked to Mental Health Concerns, Constant Connectivity Affects Work/Life Balance, Social Comparison Makes It Hard to Be Content, Digital Connectivity Can Make You Feel Like You’re Missing Out, How Social Media Impacts Your Mental Health, Digital Self-Harm Is on the Rise, Study Shows. When you are sitting on the desk constantly staring on the screen, you are putting a lot of strain on your lower back, shoulders and neck; and it is even bad for your waistline. This is where you give up all digital devices for a period of time, usually for 24 hours, 1 week, or 30 days. Essential Benefits of a Digital Detox Very few people would argue the digital revolution hasnât yielded any benefits for humankind. 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