This text is based on an article on Science Daily.
Why is a digital detox needed in the first place?
A digital detox, namely an occasional break from screens and digital devices, is useful for many reasons.
Screens emit unnatural light into our eyes, often falling in the blue spectrum. This alone can wreak havoc on our bodies. The light, its intensity and colouring during the day orient our circadian rhythms, which are responsible for the body's production of hormones (including sleep and sleep hormones), metabolism and a whole host of other biological processes, not least of which is the information overload that comes at us from our various screens. The human brain is not designed to absorb so much information at once and very soon it may become overwhelmed or behave unnaturally.
So while a digital detox can benefit your health, it may also help you increase your productivity, improve your work-life balance and set a good example to your subordinates.
How to do a digital detox?
- Do not be too ambitious. First of all, you have to be realistic. Telling yourself you will not look at any screen between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. every day is a nice idea, but for many people it is completely unattainable.
- Start gradually, one step at a time. Gradually increase the time for giving yourself a digital detox. At first, it might be two hours on Monday. Then you can add two hours on Friday. Then all day Saturday. Just take it one step at a time.
- First of all focus on the evening and your sleep. A digital detox is most needed in relation to sleep hygiene. So make it a priority before you go to bed.
- Reassess your social media presence. During a digital detox, when you turn off your phone and do not turn on any screens around you, you might discover your presence on certain social media sites is not as important as you may have thought.
- Find "analogue" hobbies. You need to fill the gap created by digital detox with something. So ideally, take up (or find) analogue hobbies, such as sports, reading or handicrafts.
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