From the beginning of smartphones and apps we’ve learned the digital doctrine of ABC’s (Always Be Connected.) Now with the help of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – we’re obsessed with starring at our phones 50, 100 and even up to 300 times a day. Many people choose to dedicate the beginning of the year to fresh new year’s resolutions for fitness, finances and even digital health and wellness. I personally decided to refresh by going on a much needed digital detox.
There are plenty of benefits & a few setbacks that a digital detox can bring in your life – discover the five stages of a digital detox and how starting healthier digital habits can leave your refreshed and connectedly balanced for the new year below.
Preparation:
Preparing for a break from digital devices and social media takes determination and having a complete goal in mind. Whether it’s spending time working on interpersonal relationships or just taking a break from feeding the social media beast preparing for your digital detox takes time.
Benefits – Whether going on a digital diet and minimizing your time on your smartphone, tablet or other electronics or slowing up your social media intake on Facebook or Instagram, taking the right approach on how far to take your digital detox will only work out if you determine what you want to get out of your detox in the long run.
Anxiety:
You’re bound to get anxious once you determine to take the leap into a detox like this but remember though this confrontation can be difficult at first, the pay off is significant. Many detoxers find a real world connectedness that enriches and enhances our lives in a way no Wi-Fi connection can.
Benefits – Some of the changes you should anticipate after a digital detox are more balanced and calmer calmer feeling in your life due to periodically stopping the continual digital exposure throughout your day. You’ll feel more rested, more aware, more present, more productive and less overwhelmed and stressed out. You’ll also feel more connected to your work, love relationships, family, friends and yourself.
Relief:
After taking the leap and going through with your digital detox, to your relief you’ll find that it’s actually easier than you thought it would be. After all, you’ve lived a life before gadgets and social media so surely you’ll be able to conquer what life is like without it.
Benefits: You can be so preoccupied with your digital devices that it’s all too easy to inadvertently sacrifice time, relationships, sleep, focus, productivity and balance in your life. Many people are not even aware of the toll their extensive usage of digital devices costs them until they have suffered a loss or upset because of this. The relief you’ll experience during the digital detoxification process is just the beginning to a life of balance and how happy you’re truly feel once you complete your challenge.
Transparency:
Once you reach a level of contentment with your digital detox, you’ll find yourself breathing a sigh of relief and coming to terms with just how dependent you were on “likes”, “shares”, “comments” and “checkins”. The digital age has changed the levels of transparency that we expect from ourselves and others. Keep it real with yourself about your addiction and what you’d like to gain from your detox and instantly feel the weight of the world wide web off your shoulders and the freedom to live your life the way you want to live.
Benefits: There’s a saying “The first step in solving a problem is to recognize that it does exist.” (-Zig Ziglar) The moment you become transparent with yourself, you’re able to recognize what areas in life that you’d like to improve. When you have a digital detox you feel more rested and less stressed. Who wouldn’t want to feel less stressed?
Maverick:
Reaching the final stage of your digital detoxification is where you begin to feel all the benefits in a euphoric way. You’ll begin to feel more rested, more aware, more present, more productive and less overwhelmed and stressed out. You’ll also feel more connected to work, love relationships, family, friends and to yourself. This time of self awareness will empower you to rebel against the norm of social media use and will make you feel like a maverick and true trendsetter of creating a balanced life.
Benefits: Creating a life lived on your terms will empower you to own your happiness and create long-term, meaningful connections with coworkers, friends, family and more. The biggest benefit of them all, you’ll live a happier and healthier life!
After completing my digital detox for the month of January, I feel more relaxed and have a new perspective on how I use social media. After all, isn’t social media supposed to be used to facilitate connections? If FOMO (fear of missing out) is a little too strong in your life, maybe a digital detox is just what you need to jumpstart your new year.
Have you tried a digital detox yet? What was the biggest benefit for you?
