How to Embrace a Digital Detox

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, aimed at raising awareness on the importance of opening conversations about mental health to help release the stigma. AND always a great time to prioritise our own mental health check-in.

Most women I’ve been talking to share with me that it’s been a crazy start to 2023. Post-pandemic life is as busy as ever, we are back to rushing and packing as much as we can into every day, week, and month. Juggling work commitments, family, relationships, and social life. Keeping everything afloat and as best we can moving forward.

With our constant connection to technology and the digital world, it can be difficult to fully take a break and give our minds the rest they need to recharge our energy.

I recently went on a mini break, adventuring to the remote Pangkil Island in Indonesia, where I consciously decided to take a 4 day digital detox, for my mental health. I had noticed the signs of verging on the edge of burnout after an increasingly busy first quarter of work (and life!). 

Even coaches need “mental health check-ins!” too.

I actually couldn’t remember the last time I shut off completely from technology. I don’t know if I’ve EVER done it for a longer period of time that 2 days since opening my first online business in 2014. 

That’s when you know it’s definitely time for a digital detox.

So, I told my clients I would be “offline”, left my laptop at home, and bit the bullet! I put my phone on airplane mode for 4 WHOLE days.  

And, WOW.

All I can say is that is was TOTALLY FREEING to not be “ON” 24/7:

• I found myself going slower
• Being super present in conversations
• Enjoying the little things much more
• Getting great sleep and super relaxed
• Clearer mindset

Imagine that!

Now, I have to admit I already have strong boundaries with my phone and technology. But I found being completely OFFLINE was sooo good for my mental health that it was surprisingly HARD to come back to the social media and online world after 4 days!

I wished it could have be longer.

The health and wellness industry tells us that taking a digital detox can have many benefits for our mental and physical health:

• Reduces stress and anxiety levels and improve overall well-being
• Improves sleep with less time on electronic devices sleep patterns are less disrupted by blue light
• Increases productivity and improves focus. When we’re not constantly checking our devices, we’re less likely to multi-task and can focus better on the one thing at a time to get more done
• Improves relationships and a sense of being present by giving more quality “connection” time with loved ones
• Boosts creativity and problem solving. Being disconnected from technology can give our minds a chance to wander and come up with new ideas

WHEN was the last time you took a digital detox? When did you last unplug from the matrix and reboot your system??

If it’s been a while, and you’re feeling exhausted, BUT find the concept of 4 days off the grid super confronting… here are four baby steps you can take for a mini digital detox:

1) Create a boundary around when you pick up your phone in the morning and evening

Is 6-7am when you first open your eyes to a blast of notifications and emails the best way to begin the day? Could you not look at notifications until 8am? Could you turn off your phone for the night at 8-9pm?

2) Set time limits on your social media apps (you’ll find this option in settings!)

3) Move all of your social media/email apps OFF your home screen to 2-3 swipe pages across

If you’re the kind of person (like me!) who cannot stand seeing a red notification and has to urgently actioon THIS really helps.

4) Place your phone on DND for a block of time to begin with – 4, 6 or 12 hours at a time. The mini digital detox will give you some breathing space

By setting boundaries with technology, we can improve our mental and emotional well-being, reduce stress, and increase productivity. You may not find it easy at firs to step away from your devices, but it is beneficial for overall health and happiness!

Any step you can take towards a digital detox is going to be powerful, it’s a tool that can help you disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with yourself, your thoughts, and be more present in your surroundings.

The ultimate goal is to create a healthier balance in our lives, where we feel more present and energised.

Try one or two and reach out to let me know the outcome?

All the best,

Janel Briggs, Thrive Mindset Coaching