Imagine a universe without social media or mindless Instagram scrolling. Imagine not having to spend an entire day commenting, liking, and sharing posts. While social media can distract from troubles, it’s very important to know how to take a digital detox and recharge.
It’s easy to get buried in the sizzling gist on the internet. From notifications here and there to the TikTok challenge and Instagram controversies, it has become a matter of urgency to know when to draw the line from social media to live a healthy life.
The benefits of taking a digital detox are enormous. From improving your mental health, enabling stronger bonds, elevating performance, boosting creativity, etc. The benefits of taking a digital detox are endless.
In this article, we will share actionable steps on how to take a digital detox and recharge with practical tips on staying consistent on your digital detox journey.
Also Read: How To Avoid Burnout
Benefits Of Digital Detox
Taking a digital detox will give you a much-desired clear mind and tranquility. It’s necessary for mental health. Here are some of the reasons to consider digital detox:
Improved Mental Health
Unplugging from social media means that you have the time to focus on other productive activities that will improve your mental health. You feel more relaxed, stress-free, and healthy.
Having too much screen time can lead to fatigue, exhaustion, burnout, and physical tiredness. However, taking a digital detox to recharge will help you to recoup the lost strength, energized and refreshed to smash your goals.
Get More Sleep
Less screen time means more time to have a sound sleep. The more time you spend on the screen the less time sleep time you get. The importance of getting enough sleep can’t be overestimated.
Getting more sleep will help your mental health in many ways, improve your critical skills, and make you more creative than ever.
If you desire to have more sleep to improve your health. Then mastering how to take a digital detox and recharge is one of the underrated skills to consider.
Build Family Bond
With less screen time, you have enough time to spend with your family, friends, and loved ones.
For instance, the time you spend scrolling Instagram, watching TikTok videos, and watching movies is a valuable time to spend engaging in thoughtful conversations with your family.
Hence, it is important to make a conscious effort to take a digital detox to create family time for your loved ones.
Don’t let social media and the virtual world make you think you don’t need people. Everything on social media is fleeting but one certain thing is the time you spend with family and friends.
Elevate Performance
The more time you spend consuming worthless content, the less productive you will be. Practicing a digital detox is important to elevate performance and improve productivity. It allows you to develop your critical thinking abilities to solve problems.
It allows the opportunity to discover creative ways of solving problems. If you are always neck deep into social media or other platforms all the time, there is a high chance that your performance level will be poor.
Unless the time you spend on your screen contributes to the overall performance, it’s unwise to spend more time on the screen than doing something productive.
Unlocks Creativity
If you’re ever stuck on a task, the best solution to that is to unplug for a while to connect with the creative side of you.
Spending too much time on the screen is dangerous for your creativity. It limits your thinking and mirrors your view of the problem.
To stay creative and never run out of ideas, it is wise to take a digital detox to recharge. Unplug from social media and other platforms that kill your creativity.
The truth is that the more time you spend consuming other people’s content, the less time you will have to create your own.
The negative impact is that if you don’t engage in creative activities that boost your creativity, you may soon run out of the creative juices needed to stay creative.
Boost Health
One of the important benefits of taking a digital detox is that it helps to boost the health. By taking a digital detox, you’re allowing your health to thrive.
For instance, if you feel a constant migraine or backache, it’s advisable to take digital detox to free yourself from activities that derail your health.
How To Take A Digital Detox And Recharge
Unplugging from social media can seem like rocket science especially if your business and career are built on social media. However, mastering practical steps on how to take a digital detox and recharge, such as the ones we are about to share, will help you find the balance.
Set Clear Goals
The first step in the direction, if you want to master how to take a digital detox and recharge, is to set clear goals. Be certain about the changes you want to see. The steps you want to take and the measures you have put in place to achieve your goals.
It’s not enough to wish to detox, you must understand why it’s important to detox, and what you want to achieve in the timeline.
By setting clear goals, you are one step ahead of having less screen time to focus on other productive activities.
Make Up Your Mind
It may seem challenging to take a digital detox especially if your business requires 24/7 screen time.
However, it is not impossible to have a digital detox. Once you make up your mind to take a digital detox, the “how” becomes possible and doable.
Communicate Your Plans
Before embarking on a digital detox, it’s important to communicate your plans to anybody who may be affected by your actions.
For instance, if you run an online business, let your customers know that you won’t be available for a certain period.
Also, if you work remotely, let your superior know that you won’t be available for a certain period. This will help you to plan for detox time without harming others.
Start Small
It’s recommended to start small to be able to achieve your detox journey. Start by taking a 10mins break or by taking a walk without your phone for 30mins.
By allowing yourself to start small, you are training your body to master how to take a digital detox and recharge gradually without feeling any difference.
Create A No Gadget Zone
Sometimes, it can be tempting to touch your devices. This is why it’s important to create a space in your apartment that is a no-gadget zone. Call this place a detox area that helps you to stay focused and away from the screen.
No phones, gadgets, or any devices are allowed in the area. You can fill this area with interesting fiction, non-fiction books, and creative artworks. Just anything but devices.
Set A Screen Limit
This is a no-brainer. The first thing to do to master how to detox is to set a screen time limit on all your devices.
The purpose of the screen time limit is to automatically shut down all your devices to allow you more valuable time to focus on other things.
Digital Detox Tips To Stay Consistent
You may get distracted sometimes, but here are some of the proven tips to stay consistent on your digital detox journey:
Discover New Habit
The time away from your screen doesn’t imply you should watch movies or engage in other on-screen activities.
To form a lasting digital detox routine, it’s important to engage in other activities that don’t take you closer to the screens. You can start a cooking series, garden, read a book, do some paintings, visit a friend, etc.
The idea is to discover other things you enjoy doing apart from scrolling social media.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
Another way to build a consistent digital detox routine is to dedicate more time to loved ones. You can also use this time to walk your dog, visit friends, and hang out with your partner.
You will be amazed by how much distance you have created in your relationship by spending too much time on the internet.
Make Adjustment
Good habits take time to come along. Make room for adjustment when you fall off track and don’t be afraid to set new goals.
Little by little, you will soon build a consistent digital detox routine.
Reward Yourself
It’s not easy to finish a project. So reward yourself for every time you have successfully stayed off digital devices. Also, celebrate each time you discover new hobbies. Reward yourself for being able to prioritize family and friends over your devices.
Create a rewarding system that allows you to celebrate your small wins each time you’re closer to achieving your goals.
Conclusion
In a world where everyone is one notification away from spending an entire day on TikTok, it’s important to have measures that make taking a digital detox possible. By practicing the tips shared in this article, you will not only master how to take a digital detox and recharge but also enjoy some of the benefits of taking a digital detox.
