(ThySistas.com) Does your phone travel with you everywhere, even to the bathroom? If so, you may be overdue for a digital detox. Even if you feel you have a relatively healthy relationship with technology, it’s helpful to treat yourself to a few days free from screens every now and then. To make your next digital detox a truly rewarding one, keep the following five tips in mind.
1. Avoid replacing one distraction with another
When taking a digital detox, it’s tempting to simply move right on over to another vice, like caffeine or alcohol consumption. However, this is just another way of feeding the overstimulation machine.
If you do want to enjoy a drink or two during your digital detox, make the experience a true treat. Buy bitters and vermouth, add your favorite brand of gin, and treat yourself to one beautifully refreshing cocktail – then leave it at that.
2. Get out of your usual environment
It’s far harder to avoid your usual digital fixes if you’re in the same environment you always enjoy them in. Going for your usual morning run without your iPhone pumping tunes may feel like a chore. Preparing lunch with no YouTube video to keep you company may feel lonely.
To ensure you get to enjoy the relaxing benefits of technology-free time, consider taking your digital detox on the road. This could mean going camping with friends, spending the weekend with your grandparents, volunteering at a local animal shelter, or even just booking yourself an Airbnb for the weekend.
3. Practice mindfulness and meditation the old-fashioned way
Nowadays, there’s an app for everything, including the ancient practices of mindfulness and meditation. Many of us have gotten used to simply opening our apps and letting them guide us through the experience. However, during your digital detox, it’ll be up to you to direct your own meditation sessions and mindfulness exercises.
For meditation, try finding a spot with a beautiful, expansive view and meditating with your eyes open. The idea is to let your eyes take in whatever movements are happening without following them or becoming attached. You can then do the same with any thoughts that try to take your mind hostage. Don’t actively shoo them away – just avoid attachment and let them fade by themselves.
4. Write about your feelings
Many people don’t realize just how hooked they are on their devices, so they are shocked at the emotional reactions they have to their digital detox. Feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, and sadness are completely normal. It’s also very common to experience joy, elation, an upswing of energy, and a wholesome sense of connectedness. Whatever’s flowing through you, write it down with pen and paper so that you can fully process it.
5. Spend time in nature
Whether you want to use your digital detox time to exercise, fast, read a good book, play your guitar, or pretty much anything else, your time can greatly be improved by heading out into the natural environment.
Forest bathing is a well-known practice, and it comes with a host of benefits that will complement your digital detox. Both solo and group forest bathing experiences are wholesome and beneficial, so go with whichever option feels right for you.
You may be surprised at how challenging it is to stick to your commitment to avoid screens for a day or three. However, if you make it through, you’ll also be pleasantly surprised at how good this digital detox makes you feel.
Staff Writer; Sherry Barker