Are you into detox? How about a digital detox instead of a juice cleanse? We'll give you tips to help you achieve your digital detox successfully.
Table of contents
1. What is Digital Detox
Digital detox refers to the conscious act of " going offline " from smartphones, PCs, tablets, and especially social media. Digital detox could also be described as a type of " digital fast " or a form of mental relaxation exercises .
Digital detox is about consciously withdrawing from all digital devices and digital media for a certain period of time in order to return to the here and now and to focus more on yourself and your surroundings .
Digital detox is a trend that's been around for a while now, and it's specifically aimed at increasing mindfulness in life. There are now various apps like Offtime and Space that can support you with digital detox.
With these apps, you can, for example, lock your smartphone or laptop at times of your choosing and thus deny yourself access to certain programs.
Likewise, various social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram now offer features that allow you to track your social media consumption or send you notifications when you have exceeded a certain time limit on a platform.
2. Why digital detox makes sense
In today's world, we are constantly exposed to a flood of information. It's become normal to be constantly reachable and online. Our smartphones are always within reach, and when they vibrate or ring, we're practically conditioned to respond immediately and always .
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The phenomenon of constantly being in front of a screen and online because you're afraid of missing out is called " FOMO " ( fear of missing out ). FOMO can become a psychological burden . It's not the smartphone use itself that's problematic, but rather the way you handle the devices.
Various technologies from smartphones and other digital devices in everyday life can be used positively and effectively, for example to be more productive and informed, to stay in touch with important people or to enrich one's everyday life.
However, if you use your smartphone primarily out of boredom or fear of missing out, using digital devices can often become compulsive and stressful without you consciously noticing it.
To avoid digital burnout and reduce stress, a smartphone diet in the form of a digital detox is certainly worthwhile. A trip or vacation, in particular, offers a good opportunity to try out digital detox.
Digital detox experiences often reveal that going offline is more difficult than many people think. Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, and we're used to quickly sending a quick text to our partners or accessing information while on the go.
Nevertheless, there are various ways you can escape from your smartphone more often and spend your time in everyday life more mindfully, stress-free and often more productively.
3. 5 rules for the digital detox
To help you get the most out of your digital detox, here are 5 rules that will help you achieve your digital detox easily .
1. Do not keep digital devices in the bedroom
The first rule for digital detox is to make sure your bedroom is free of smartphones, laptops, and TVs, and that you use an analog alarm clock instead of your smartphone alarm clock.
Make your bedroom a smartphone-free zone and focus on winding down in the evening without checking social media, emails, or upcoming commitments. The evening is for recharging and relaxing.
2. The relaxed morning routine
Instead of waking up to your smartphone in the morning and immediately checking your messages, use the first hour after getting up just for yourself . Read a book, meditate, or simply enjoy breakfast without any distractions.
3. Check emails once a day
Rule number three for your digital detox is: Check your emails only once a day. Are you one of those people who checks their emails every 20 minutes?
This is often unnecessary. It's best to set a time to check your emails once a day and focus the rest of the day on things that are important to you.
4. Turn off your smartphone completely
Another rule for digital detox is to turn off your smartphone completely more often instead of using airplane mode. The barrier to turning your smartphone back on is much higher than simply turning it off again.
5. Leave your smartphone at home
If you're already advanced in your digital detox, you can also try leaving your smartphone at home or spending one day a week completely offline . The following tips should help you make digital detox easier.
4. 5 tips that make digital detox easier
If you're determined to try digital detox, the following tips will make getting started a little easier.
Tip 1
Use a watch and a flashlight instead of your smartphone. It sounds strange, but it's actually quite useful. These simple gadgets make it easier for you to check other things besides the time, like your emails, WhatsApp, or social media.
Tip 2
Ask people for directions if you're out and about without a smartphone. This worked well even before the smartphone era, and often leads to pleasant conversations or sometimes even interesting new contacts.
Tip 3
Use digital detox apps that lock your smartphone for a specified period of time. Simply type "digital detox" into the app store and you'll find what you're looking for. If you don't feel confident about doing a digital detox yourself, you can also attend a digital detox camp.
Tip 4
Digital Detox Camps are retreats that aim to sharpen the use of digital devices and to ensure more mindfulness and balance with regard to smartphone use.
Most of these digital detox camps take place in nature and can usually be attended for a weekend or longer. Most retreats offer various outdoor activities such as hiking, cooking together, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness exercises.
Tip 5
Other tips to distract yourself from your smartphone include reading , taking a walk , exercising , going out to eat , or tidying up . You can use the newfound time you usually spent on your smartphone to pursue new hobbies. For example, learn to play a musical instrument or write a letter to people you care about instead of texting.
5. Conclusion
In this day and age, it makes perfect sense to spend some time without your smartphone and digital devices every now and then and to use your time with digital devices consciously.
Digital detox is a useful method for gradually breaking free from smartphone addiction and refocusing on yourself and your goals. There are many simple rules for digital detox that make it easy to implement.
From using apps to lock your smartphone or certain applications on your phone for a certain period of time to digital detox camps or setting up smartphone-free zones in your home.
Anyone can implement a digital detox, and it can help you reduce stress in your everyday life and become more in the here and now.
6. Sources
https://utopia.de/ratgeber/digital-detox-bewusst-offline-gehen/
https://www.thedigitaldetox.de/digital-detox-retreats/
https://www.zielbar.de/magazin/digital-detox-erfahrungsbericht-11209/
