Internet addiction has recently become one of the most dangerous diseases in society because of its negative impact on social and family relationships, so the latest trends that have emerged in digital detox can stall these tactics, especially because content producers are opting to turn off their screens and social media.
Some businesses such as Siggi's, an Icelandic yogurt manufacturer, are giving away $10,000 to ten winners who can write the greatest essay explaining how giving up smartphones for a month would improve their lives.
Whether you refer to it as a digital detox retreat or something else, taking a vacation from technology doesn't have to be an extreme measure. You don't need to keep your phone in a lockbox or go on a silent retreat.
According to GWI, the average internet user now logs on for six hours and forty minutes per day. According to a study, the "typical" social media user now spends two hours and twenty-three minutes a day browsing through social media. For many, social media accounts for a large portion of this screen time.
Since many influencers are expected to constantly monitor their networks for questions, comments, and interaction, content creators are probably going to put in even more time than this. The fact that a large number of the influencers I collaborate with have made the decision to put down their electronics and go on a short-term or long-term digital fast should come as no surprise.
To prevent the unavoidable burnout that comes with being "always on," I advise creators to set boundaries early in their careers and set aside at least one day every week to disconnect from social media. Adherents of the digital detox movement who are also attempting to cut back on their own screen usage frequently find this to be helpful.
Here's where brands should take the lead: they should ask the creators they collaborate with directly about any boundaries they may have and make sure those boundaries match their preferred communication days, hours, and methods. With many artists now declaring they are "signing off" for the weekend and continuing to update their followers with a weekend summary each, the influencer's audience will be aware of these restrictions.
By taking advantage of the creator's peak activity periods and giving them autonomy over the timing and distribution of their work, brands may leverage these breaks to their advantage.
There's no hard-and-fast rule about what has to be done or what can be done in one go. Here are three possible ways to go about it along with some other useful advice.
Go Completely Offline, But Just For A Short While
A good place to start is by setting out a specific amount of time, say 12 hours, to dedicate to being offline. For example, on a Saturday, you may set up 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to be offline. It may seem long, yet twelve hours is not even a whole day. Some choose to extend the digital sabbath by one day, from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.
In any case, choose a time when you stand the best chance of succeeding, and stick to it. Just consider how many hours you have left if you feel anxious to pick up your gadget before the allotted time has passed. You won't be offline indefinitely.
Use the Internet Just for essentials.
Establish some basic guidelines on what you will and won't be allowed to do with your gadgets during your vacation or extended weekend, rather than going fully offline. Will you allow yourself to respond to texts and phone calls, or will you choose to simply read them? How about using your digital wallet, to-do list app, or navigation apps? I've even heard of families who set out time during their digital breaks for any shared technology, like playing video games as a group.
If you choose this course of action, remove any programs that appeal to you but that you should avoid. In this manner, you can avoid forgetting your intention to be offline and reverting to your unhealthy routine. Reinstalling those programs when you're prepared to be completely online again only takes ten seconds.
Take Your Phone Out of the Bedroom
If you are the type of person who can't stop scrolling through your phone in bed, you may also want to consider taking it out of the bedroom. But don't put it in that context! Rather than worrying about how you won't keep your phone on your nightstand, instead concentrate on what you will do, or more specifically, where you will put it before going to bed. Decide on a location to store your phone for the night and make a commitment to using it.
Talk Before You Turn Off Your Phone
Make sure you let essential individuals know when and for how long you will be away before taking a digital break. You don't want to give the impression that you're ignoring your friends, family, or coworkers. Let important individuals know how to get in touch with you in case of an emergency. Have them call you instead of texting you, for instance.
Anyone who cohabitates with you is another group of persons you should inform about your offline plans. Notifying someone else is a commitment device, as it increases your likelihood of following through and adhering to your plan as you know they can keep you accountable. Additionally, let them know what would and wouldn't be useful if you need their support.
Lastly Releasing yourself from technology, even for a brief duration, can be difficult, and you may not succeed the first time. It's alright. Give yourself a break and give it another go.