Digital Detox: The Power of Unplugging one day a week
For many people, being connected and immersed in the digital world is just a part of everyday life. When you’re constantly plugged-in to apps and devices designed to steal your attention (Netflix has said their main competitor is sleep), you start to lose track of reality and your identity outside of technology.
While people often feel that they can't imagine life without their tech devices, research and surveys have found that technology use can also contribute to stress.
Why would you want to go tech-free once a week? Here are some key benefits to this weekly practice:
1) You’ll be more productive.
It’s a good idea to put your phone away while you’re at work. It’s hard to get anything done when everyone is texting, tweeting, and notifying you all day long. One study showed that it takes 23 minutes to recover from disruptions like your phone at work.
2) You’ll be more focused.
A recent study demonstrated that just having your phone nearby—even if it’s switched off—makes you less focused. Screens distract everyone in the room, even those who aren’t using them.
3) You’ll sleep better.
The blue light from screens tells your brain to stay alert and can make it hard to fall asleep. Shlain recommends staying off your phone and laptop for an hour or so before bed to ensure you get the sleep you need. This is important: research done by Dr Larry Rosen suggests that lack of sleep can produce a higher buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain, which is also seen with Alzheimer’s. Too much screen time may result in losing a lot more than sleep.
4) It may decrease anxiety and depression, especially in adolescents.
A two-year study by public health researchers Holly B. Shakya and Nicholas A. Christakis found “both liking others’ content and clicking links significantly predicted a subsequent reduction in self-reported physical health, mental health, and life satisfaction.” Since smartphones were released, the rate of teen suicide attempts has doubled, and research suggests social media may be a factor.
5) It will improve your relationships.
Besides giving you more time with the people you care about, going screen-free may actually make you more empathetic. Research done by Sara Konrath found that college students today are a full 40 percent less empathetic than students were ten years previously, with the most dramatic decrease happening after the release of the smartphone.
6) It will improve your health.
Besides the health benefits that come with improved sleep and general happiness, spending less time on your phone reduces the chances of developing repetitive stress injuries like “text neck.”
7) It will rewire your brain in positive ways.
If you feel like you’re addicted to your phone, it’s because you are. As a recent study suggests, technology can be just as addictive as narcotics, and works in some similar ways. Brain scans show that spending time on screens activates the same neural loops that narcotics do. Unplugging once a week helps break these patterns.
8) It will make you a better person.
Going screen-free weekly gives you the space and time to develop character strengths like gratitude, empathy and perspective.
Going device-free can be uncomfortable and stressful at times. You might feel annoyed, anxious, and even bored without your mobile phone and other tech tools. While it may be hard, it can be a rewarding experience that will help you better understand your relationship with your devices and be more present and mindful in your other activities and experiences.
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Reference:
https://www.verywellmind.com/why-and-how-to-do-a-digital-detox-4771321