Digital Detox, detox from digital : we all need it. Those who work for themselves and constantly use the web and social media even more. But not only that, there are those who cannot even imagine living without their smartphone at hand.
What is it? Why do Digital Detox? What are the benefits that can be obtained from it? I will explain everything in this article.
Index
- What is Digital Detox?
- Digital Detox as Organ Detoxification
- How to do a Digital Detox
- The Benefits of Digital Detox
- An experience of mine
- Advice
- Another nice article on this topic
- Do you want to tell me about your Digital Detox experience?
- Here is a video you absolutely must watch: The Imbruttito’s Digital Detox
What is Digital Detox?
In our daily lives we are always in contact with technology: notebooks, PCs, smartphones, tablets. Whether for work or pleasure, our mind is always busy and constantly stimulated. Many of us, some more, some less, live a sort of dependence on the devices that connect us to the web.
Checking emails, WhatsApp messages, Facebook news or other social networks, using this or that APP, are now actions that we do several times a day without even realizing it.
We don’t have time to stop and think, to create, to be silent. Well, Digital Detox means taking a few days to do without technology. In other words: a few days to unplug .
Digital Detox as Organ Detoxification
We have often talked about Detox of the organism, understood as a procedure for the elimination of toxins from the body. Digital Detox is a sort of detoxification of toxins (inputs, information, messages, solicitations, questions, thoughts …) that clog our mind .
Just as we fast from food to cleanse our organs, fasting from technology and being constantly online will help cleanse our minds.
How to do a Digital Detox
The best thing would be to not be connected to anything. We can find a place where there is no phone signal, or we can decide to disconnect. Maybe just the idea can create a sense of uneasiness in someone.
What if there’s an emergency? What if someone wants to call me? What would happen? Or, how do I not read work emails?
Probably the best way for these people is to take a first step:
- If you’re self-employed, start by not turning on your computer for a few days.
- If you can’t resist reading your emails or the news on your favorite social network, try turning off your smartphone for a few hours a day.
- Make it a point to only use your smartphone when absolutely necessary.
- Imagine not having a sophisticated smartphone with you, but a simple good old cell phone to make calls, only if and when really necessary.
The Benefits of Digital Detox
More time to do
The first advantage is having more time to dedicate to other things: reading, walking, doing nothing.
More time to think
Without constant solicitations, your mind will be free to think, imagine, create.
Greater presence and awareness
Not having to think about checking our smartphones, taking pictures of everything we do, or taking selfies will allow us to be more present in what we do and what we are experiencing.
They improve relationships
Whatever anyone may say, if we have the constant commitment of checking our cell phones while we are with other people, we cannot truly participate in conversations and situations.
The mind becomes lighter
As the constant stimuli diminish: images, sentences, readings of all kinds, often superficial, the mind calms down, and this can give many a nice feeling of well-being.
More space for silence, more space for intuitions
Stopping to continue reading the thoughts of others, will make us perceive a sort of silence of the mind. A state in which it is more likely and easier to give birth to new ideas and intuitions . A situation more suitable to develop creativity.
You learn to let go
The world goes on even if we don’t do everything to keep everything under control. Letting go is a good exercise, especially for those who live believing themselves indispensable. Try, just for a few days, to let go . It is a liberating action that will make you feel better.
An experience of mine
A few years ago I happened to be invited to a 3-day residential training course, in a place with no phone signal, 3G, 4G or anything else. An analog phone owned by the accommodation would be available for any emergencies.
My first reaction was to refuse, even though I was very interested in the course. Later I decided to let it go. I warned my friends and relatives that I would not be reachable for 3 whole days, and I left. I assure you that after half a day I forgot about my smartphone, which had become a useless object. In addition to having been able to fully live the experience, the feeling, from the second day, was one of well-being.
Advice
You decide when to start the Digital Detox and how long to make it last. I recommend trying it for at least 3 days. Set some rules and do everything you can to stick to them. You won’t regret it. We can live a few days without smartphones and computers. What do you think?
