Waking up and immediately going through your phone, taking it with you to the loo, or simply posting every second of your day? These all hint at an unnoticed obsession with the latest media. And just like any other addictive nature, it brings more damage than anything else. Thus, it’s best to sit down with yourself, acknowledge it as an issue, and plan that digital detox day!
Symptoms that you might be addicted to your phone:
- Phantom vibrations (thinking the phone buzzes when it doesn’t)
- Getting up at night to check a phone
- Reaching for the phone the moment they are alone or bored
- Angry or irritated if phone use is interrupted.
According to experts, the health effects of overusing your cellphone may lead to:
- Irregular sleep patterns.
- Blurry vision, red or irritated eyes
- Decrease in brain grey matter
- Increase in headaches, migraines, and more
Here’s how to Plan your Digital Detox Day:
As stated, recognise the need to use your phone less. The seed to be a better individual without input from your phone has to be sown. Communicate with your friends or family prior to putting your phone away to avoid being completely unreachable in case of an emergency. Now, make a list of all the things you could enjoy for a day. Make it simple.
- Go out for a morning run or start with a workout.
- Plan a day out of the house for a picnic at a safe local spot, beach, or garden. Try to make the most of it by packing snacks and taking along a book, puzzle, colouring, or paint therapy material.
- Spend the day with a person with whom you can have long talks, both enjoying the detox day.
- If you opt for a day at home, try a new hobby. You can bake or cook a favourite dish. Or try and indulge in a new read, such as a book that caters to your interests. This can be fictional or non-fiction, such as finance, inspirational, or in a religious context.
- Try a DIY project. Take on a gardening project or organise space.
- Plan a date or solo date to shop or visit a local attraction site. This could be anything from a museum or nature point of view.
Now that you know what digital addiction might look like and how to plan a digital detox day, give it a try if you recognise the need within yourself. As motivation for a day like this, picture yourself independent from materialistic possessions and the urge to know more about other people’s lives. Focus on nurturing self-care and maintaining a healthy balance on social media platforms.
