Phreedom From Digital Devices: Digital Wellness

As we are immersed in our digital habitats, the issue of addiction to technology has become one that is being discussed more and more by health experts and psychologists. Studies suggest that being constantly plugged into devices such as smartphones and computers could lead to addiction, stress, and anxiety.

Based on a Statista survey conducted in February 2021, nearly half of the respondents reported using their phones between 5 and 6 hours a day, excluding work-related smartphone use. On an average, 22% of respondents spend three to four hours on their phones daily. Only 5% of survey respondents said that they used their smartphones for less than an hour per day.

But, what if you could unplug from digital devices to regain focus on what is important? How would you spend your time? This article offers some tips on how to disconnect from digital devices by embracing the simple joys of being human again.

What is Digital Wellness?

Digital Wellness. No, it is not some new trend that you have heard of. It means exactly what it says on the tin: removing yourself from the world of digital devices for a variable period of time to reconnect with yourself and with the real world. Digital detox is a loosely used comparative term for digital wellness. Both might have several similarities and differences!

Digital wellness might involve avoiding or decreasing the following behaviors:

• Checking emails frequently

• Streaming live video games for too long

• Scrolling social media just to kill time (unintentionally or intentionally)

• Keeping devices on you at all times and places

• Scrolling until you fall asleep

Signs You Might Need Digital Wellness Coaching/Digital Detox

• You feel the urge to check your phone every few minutes

• Social media makes you feel depressed, anxious, or angry

• You obsess over how many likes, comments, or reshares you have on your social media posts

• You are afraid that you will miss something if you do not keep checking your device, also known as FOMO (fear of missing out)

• Playing on your phone often keeps you up late

• Your day starts with checking emails or scrolling social media feeds; and ends like that

• The constant need to check your phone makes it difficult for you to concentrate on one thing at a time

• Your relationships are suffering

• You are struggling with weight gain, insomnia, and depression

Tips on How to begin Digital Wellness

Digital wellness is not just about complete separation from your devices, as that might not be practically feasible. The process is more about establishing boundaries and making sure that you are using your devices in a way that promotes, rather than compromises, your emotional and physical health. A few tips:

• Try doing a mini-detox at the end of your workday if you need your devices during the day for your job.

• Spend an evening free of social media and texting by setting a time when you want to turn off your notifications.

• During meals, early in the morning, or while going to sleep, limit your use of digital devices.

• To avoid temptation and easy access, consider removing social networking apps from your phone.

• Screen breaks can reduce stress, enhance posture, and boost attentiveness.

Conclusion

It's impossible to completely escape from technology these days, but you can take some steps to ensure that digital devices aren't taking up too much of your time and attention. Life-technology balance is the key and goal.

Phreedom Foundation is an educational initiative founded and led by Dr. Nidhi Gupta for Digital Detox and Digital Wellness in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin. We believe that it is possible to achieve life-technology balance in this digitalized era. Our goal is to help you analyze your relationship with your WMDs, assess the health of that relationship, and suggest ways to heal it if needed.

Get phreedom from perpetual anxiety caused by Digital devices.

For Digital Detox and digital wellnss in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin, get in contact with us.