How to Successfully Embark on a Digital Detox August 13, 2019
Digital media is a major contributor to the state of my emotional wellbeing. In fact, the over-use of social and digital media adds to my levels of anxiety. After recognizing how digital media affects my health, I’ve embarked on digital detox. This is a journey to reduce my screen time and develop healthier habits with technology. Keep reading for my 4 tips on how to successfully embark on a Digital Detox.
Why I’m Reducing Screen Time
As I mentioned above, I typically see a direct correlation between negative down-turns in my mental health and my social media usage. In other words, the more time I spend on social media the more unhappy I tend to feel. This occurs for quite a few reasons.
First, social media creates a false sense of failure and success. What do I mean by this? Well, most people typically only share their highlight reels, the things that provide the illusion that everything in their lives is going perfectly. When I compare these highlight reels to my own life, it is easy to feel like I am lagging behind.
Second, social media alters my own self-perception. Although this sounds similar to the above, it is slightly different. More specifically, this issue pertains to how I view myself physically. With the normalization of Photoshop, Facetune, and plastic surgery, it is easy to feel like my looks are inadequate.
Third, too much time on social media fuels my desire to spend money (that I don’t have). In this instance, social media is doing what it was designed to do. However, spending without thinking is unhealthy.
Finally, social media perpetuates a lot of negativity online. There is so much negativity going on in the world and a lot of online fighting taking place. Sometimes, it just feels too overwhelming.
How to Successfully Embark on a Digital Detox
Reducing screen time is a personal choice. No one can dictate how much screen time is too much screen time for someone else. The below tips are not all encompassing, but may be helpful.
1 | Delete Apps That Make You Miserable
I’m not sure why, but no app fills me with greater sadness than Facebook. Unfortunately, mindlessly checking Facebook became an ingrained habit when I was in high school and university. To stop the misery, I deleted the Facebook and Messenger apps off my phone and I’m glad to say that I don’t miss them!
If there is an app that makes you feel this way – delete it off your phone. It doesn’t matter who uses the app around you. Do what feels best for you!
2 | Turn Off Banner Notifications
To stop myself from constantly checking my phone, I keep my phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day. By keeping my phone on DND, it won’t light up when I receive notifications or texts. Also, it will not even ring the first time someone tries to call me. Additionally, I turned off banner notifications on my phone.
If you are someone that struggles with the need to constantly check your phone, turning off notifications may be an option that helps you to reduce your screen time!
3 | Using Apple’s Screen-Time to Limit Phone Usage
Screen-Time has quickly become my favorite feature on my phone. Not only can this feature be used to monitor how much I use my phone during the day, but it can be used to set usage limits.
If, social media is your vice, try setting usage limits so you are more aware of how long you are using these types of apps. I love how this app helps me to understand how long I’ve been on my phone. Also, I block my ability to use certain apps at night.
4 | Unsubscribe from Emails that Trigger Shopping
My spam/shopping email got totally out of hand. In essence, I was receiving so many emails that kept triggering me to purchase. In an effort to curb my spending, I unsubscribed from nearly all the email lists I previously joined.
If you struggle with shopping due to email offers, try removing yourself from email lists that trigger you to shop!
5 | Keep Your Phone Out of Sight
One of the easiest ways to reduce screen time is to make it harder to check your phone. By keeping your phone away from your desk or out of the room (while you work) or out of your bedroom (when it is time for bed), you add barriers to constantly checking your phone.
Final Thoughts on How to Successfully Embark on a Digital Detox
Although I’ve still been feeling a little bit down, my digital detox has been helpful for reducing digital-induced stress. First, I am spending less time mindlessly scrolling on my phone. Second, I am more productive during the day. Lastly, since reducing my screen time, I’ve been sleeping better at night.
Overall, I know that I feel better about my life and my present circumstances when I’m not mindlessly scrolling through social media. When I spend too much time online, I find myself playing the comparison game. Comparison can challenge me to push myself, but too often I just feel down.
I want to live a full and worthwhile life, so I’m happy to spend less time online. I am likely to participate in future digital detoxes to improve my mental health. I hope that you found my tips on how to successfully embark on a digital detox helpful.
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What do you do to reduce screen time? Any tips or tricks? Have you done a digital detox before? Please let me know in the comments below.
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Clara's Comfy Corner says
August 13, 2019 at 10:53 amDigital detoxes are so great honestly. I love what you do to stop your screentime, I’ll probably take some of your ideas! ♡♡
Geraldine says
August 13, 2019 at 11:51 amThose are great ways for a Digital Detox! I barely use facebook nowadays but going through your apps and clearing the stuff that make you miserable is really important. Unsubscribing from tempting emails is SO HARD though!! Hahaha. I just try to delete them automatically and not even look at them if I really am not looking to buy. Sometimes it does lure me in but unsubscribing is such a better and more permanent way. Thanks for sharing girl! <3
Geraldine | https://geraldinetalks.com
The Newbury Girl says
August 13, 2019 at 5:30 pmI just reached a point where I was tired of spending the time having to delete so many emails lol! Now I only keep emails from the companies that I really shop from regularly!
Alex | california pollution says
August 13, 2019 at 12:41 pmI love this! I am so frickin’ for a digital detox. I’ve noticed how miserable it makes me, constantly checking and comparing myself to others, so I’ve taken some of the same actions.
Alex| californiapollution.com
The Newbury Girl says
August 13, 2019 at 5:32 pmRecognizing how it impacts us is so key! Because it’s a total game changer knowing that we can control how much we let this affect us. 💜
gabbyabigailll says
August 13, 2019 at 2:07 pmGirl, I can so relate to this…shocker haha! I deleted my Facebook about a year ago because of how toxic it was and how much time it was consuming from me. I honestly don’t regret it. I’m perfectly fine with only using IG, Twitter, Pinterest and Snapchat (occasionally) I admit that I do have days where I spend more time than planned on Instagram and Twitter but I am trying my best to control my time. Digital detoxes are so important and these tips are so helpful! I will definitely be trying out tip #3, since it is the one thing I haven’t done yet! Thanks for sharing, girl!
Much love always,
GABBY | http://www.gabbyabigaill.com
The Newbury Girl says
August 13, 2019 at 5:35 pmSame girl – Twitter & IG are like a black vortexes sometimes! I keep FB just to stay connected to family and up to date on social because of my Marketing career!!
Setting limits is sooo eye opening because you realize just how much how time is wasted scrolling online!
jennifertarheelreader says
August 13, 2019 at 3:00 pmThis is so helpful and important, LP. I get those screen time messages, which seem like a low estimate to me honestly (but I am spread between many devices, and all aren’t Apple, so that’s probably why). I had no idea I could set my apps to be unavailable. It sounds scary to me right now, which I know is sad, but I also know it’s needed. Thanks so much for sharing this. We only get one chance at this whole thing and who wants to waste it basically living on social media? Definitely not me. ♥️
The Newbury Girl says
August 13, 2019 at 5:37 pmMy thoughts exactly – I feel like phone time is def more wasteful than laptop time though because I am more apt to just scroll mindlessly on my phone. If I’m on my laptop, I’m more likely to be doing something productive.
Even if you don’t set limits for apps, it can be eye opening just to see how long you spend using certain apps / how long you’re on your phone in a given day!
crystalsandcurls says
August 13, 2019 at 7:41 pmThis tips are absolutely brilliant! Both my partner and I try to limit our phonetime and it makes such a massive difference to our productive and just general happiness… definitely gonna try out some of these tips, I’m a bit scared to use a time on phone tracking app tbh… I’m sure I spend WAY too much already xx
The Newbury Girl says
August 13, 2019 at 8:29 pmThank you so much for this thoughtful comment – it is 💯 eye opening once you see the numbers, but sometimes I think that type of shock can become a helpful motivator for change! 💜
Nancy says
August 13, 2019 at 11:36 pmI love hearing people doing some digital detox or reducing screen time. Our brains need some time to rest too. I turn off notifications for most of my apps except for text and gmail. Otherwise, apps will have to wait. I agree with unsubscribing from emails! Thanks for sharing all of these tips to reduce screen time.
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
The Newbury Girl says
August 14, 2019 at 1:17 pmOur brains really do need this downtime to unwind, so any way we can reduce screentime is always helpful. 🙂
Patricia & Miguel says
August 14, 2019 at 8:36 amWe as digital creators and full time influencers find that social media detoxes are so important! We spend so much time on our screens that we forget the wonders of the real world. We have been limiting our phone usage and from 22h we turn off everything and only start working and look at the phone after our morning routines 🙂
xx
The Newbury Girl says
August 14, 2019 at 1:13 pmI think that is a great mindset to have to set strict time limits / usage times. I do something similar!!
betterdayweb says
August 14, 2019 at 5:23 pmI usually use The app “Forest” for a small detox.
I Can just set The app to up to two hours, and it will ‘plant a tree’ if I use my phone The tree will die.
Then when I have planted enough trees, I Can choose to plant a Real tree through The app, so I do not only get to be productive, I also feel great about myself 😉🌳
The Newbury Girl says
August 15, 2019 at 10:52 pmI hadn’t heard of the Forest app before but It honestly sounds so amazing. Love the idea that it is doing healthy things for us and for the environment.
betterdayweb says
August 17, 2019 at 1:21 pmThat’s what I love too! I also found it by accident, but I use it every Day now 😊
ThatAutisticFitChick says
August 16, 2019 at 4:07 amI turned off the push notifications for facebook and twitter about a year back and I honestly have no regrets. I keep the apps on my phone because I don’t want to get into the scrolling habit on my laptop instead. Sometimes I fall down a Twitter rabbit hole but I’m fairly good at only using them for the time I want to or when I’m out on my own walking from A to B.
The Newbury Girl says
August 16, 2019 at 2:23 pmThat’s a super smart and healthy move to make. I feel that I should do the same – because I def get caught up in my banner notifications sometimes!
PoojaG says
August 16, 2019 at 10:04 amDeleting apps is so simple but so effective. I ended up deleting a lot of apps that I don’t use anymore or that make my mental health worse and it really helped. Awesome post by the way!
The Newbury Girl says
August 16, 2019 at 2:18 pmThank you so much! 💜 It makes a world of difference!!
PoojaG says
August 17, 2019 at 3:38 pmIt does!
NunziaDreams says
September 4, 2019 at 12:16 amThese are all really great tips! It’s good to take a break from social media, especially when you’re feeling stressed or down. I usually try to limit my time on Facebook too throughout the day. Lately, I’ve also been actively eating dinner without watching YouTube. It’s been so nice to just enjoy the moment and my mind feels much clearer after a long day. Thanks for sharing this awesome post!! x
The Newbury Girl says
September 9, 2019 at 10:26 pmYouTube is def the next platform I need to take a step back from. I hate how I’ve become so accustomed to watching video content while I eat!
molly rose says
September 6, 2019 at 6:59 pmI love this. I’ve gone through so many stages where I try to limit my social media use, and I can 10000% feel a positive difference, but then a few weeks in I slowly fall back into my past habits without even realising honestly….. That’s so great that you’ve stayed so true to your digital detox, even the little things can make a huge difference. This has really inspired me to get my act together again!
The Newbury Girl says
September 9, 2019 at 10:31 pmThank you so much!! I don’t think I realized just how negatively social media was affecting me UNTIL I gave it up!!
Let’sflourishlovely says
September 8, 2019 at 3:21 pmLoved this post girl!! These are some really great tips to incorporate minimizing screen time!
The Newbury Girl says
September 9, 2019 at 10:34 pmThank you so much! 🙂
JT James says
September 11, 2019 at 4:58 amJust like we need to watch what we eat, we need to pay attention to our digital diet and remove things that aren’t serving us anymore. Good luck on your detox. We can all use it from time to time. Cheers!
william Exchange says
October 24, 2019 at 1:43 amAmazing article! Thanks for sharing your valuable knowledge.
badgirlrumie says
March 5, 2020 at 3:16 amThis was such an amazing post! I have been battling with phone addiction. I literally can’t drop my phone for an hour. I am planning on deleting some social media apps from my phone and just focusing on important things like my blog and college work. That will be my goal for this month. Thanks for sharing this!
The Newbury Girl says
March 5, 2020 at 10:24 pmGoodluck with your goal this month – I’m sure you’ll smash it! 🙂