Digital Detox Time

Ping! Buzz! Zing! Too much phone time can have negative impacts. Tiffany discusses the effects our phones can have on our wellbeing.

​In our fast-paced, hyperconnected world we often find ourselves glued to our phones and devices - ears pricking up at every notification. Before you know it, you’ve spent hours scrolling endlessly through Instagram, TikTok (or even Pinterest). While reels and short videos can be the hilarious boost you might need every once in a while, spending too much time on these platforms can wind up becoming overstimulating and draining. So, with this in mind here are a few tips to help you detox from the digital world.
 
Understanding the need for a digital detox:
 
For some, it might be hard to recognise why taking a break from technology may be beneficial. Social media sites and popular entertainment platforms have been designed to be incredibly stimulating, releasing dopamine and making it very easy to procrastinate. This can negatively impact your workflow and prevent you from getting things done - on the extreme end of things, this can translate to you falling behind with assignments, neglecting your personal hygiene, and descending into a low mood. Moreover, some of the content online can be distressing or overwhelming. Eventually, being barraged by aggressive colors, mounds of information, and clickbait can take its toll on you - negatively affecting your mental health.
 
Here are some signs to look out for:
 
You’re finding it difficult to concentrate:
 
As mentioned above, spending too much time online can cause you to procrastinate or suffer from brain fog. If you’ve noticed that doing simple tasks seems a lot harder, or it's much more difficult for you to stay focused on assignments or work - you may be spending too much time on your devices.
 
It’s hard for you to sleep:
 
Staying up late, waking up in the middle of the night, or feeling constantly drained are all signs that your screen time could be too high. It’s all too easy to find yourself falling asleep past midnight after a YouTube rabbit hole. But, doing this too often can negatively impact your quality of sleep and physical health.
 
You feel stressed:
 
The constant buzzing of the phone, updates, and overstimulation can contribute to feelings of irritability. Furthermore, getting DMs from friends can become overwhelming after a point in time. Feeling unable to find a quiet space even when at home can become distressing and make you feel anxious.
 
The benefits of a digital detox:
 
A digital detox can help you overcome some or all of these feelings by improving mental clarity, increasing your creativity and productivity, and helping you to spend more quality time with loved ones face-to-face. I’ve noticed that whenever I do a digital detox, I always spend more time with my mum watching movies or baking, for example. We always have such a good time and reconnect in a way that wouldn’t be possible if I were on my phone 24/7.
 
So, how do you start?
 
First up, it would be a good idea to set a screen time limit. Some phones and devices allow you to do this through the settings app. It’s important to be realistic - if you spend 12 hours on your phone each day, trying to get it down to 1 hour immediately most likely won’t work out for you. It’s better to set small, achievable boundaries like reducing your screen time by 1-2 hours every couple of weeks. That way you’re more likely to stick to it and feel better as a result.
 
Another way to implement this is by setting aside time when you won’t be using your device. Actively planning not to use your phone means you can make time for other activities to supplement your use. Having a plan also means you are more likely to stick to it, as you can hold yourself accountable. If you’re struggling with this you could ask a friend or family member to help out and remind you that it’s a device-free time.
 
Sometimes this just isn’t enough. Physically removing your devices from the space you’re in might be your only option. Sometimes you just have to get away from them. This is especially useful if you’re trying to focus on a task like studying, working, or even reading.
 
You’re going to notice that you have extra time once you start using your devices less. It’s a good idea to use this time to engage with activities you’ve wanted to do for a while, or even to try out something new. Reading, exercising, going on walks, watching movies, catching up with friends, researching, and relaxing, are all examples of productive and healthy habits you can engage with to help improve your well-being.
 
Remember, you don’t have to cut out phone use completely, your aim is simply to reduce it. Balance is key and phone use in moderation most certainly won’t hurt you. Good luck with your digital detox journey!

Author

​Tiffany Igharoro is a sixth form student. One of her favourite pastimes is writing as it helps her organise her thoughts creatively and dynamically. She has won awards and prizes for poetry, academic and scientific writing and short stories. Recently, she won a nationwide historical essay competition that opened her eyes to the importance of how things are told, and the impact ordinary people have on the world. She studied art GCSE and believes there is something incredible about finding links between drama, art and maths.
 
 
 
Photo by Paolo Giubilato on Unsplash