Have you been feeling irritated about being unable to keep your hands off the smartphone and computer? Or from being seen online and having to interact on social media platforms? The irritation may be owing to the fact that the time and energy spent with the digital ecosystem is coming at the cost of your time, mental space, and maybe even your real-life social interactions.
In essence, if you are feeling the wear and tear stemming from constant online connectivity. Your body and mind might be showing symptoms of digital toxification. The overuse of technology is accompanied with a number of symptoms. These signs and symptoms might include readily provoking situations as well as unusually low mood and energy. Exaggerated emotions, a refusal to turn off the electricity, weight loss, irregular sleeping patterns, and a fixation with checking one’s phone continually might also be symptoms. An inability to stand the separation from one’s phone. Even the ability to become stoic in the face of situations and other people.
The difficulties arising from the toxic effects of online connectivity and digital ecosystems are as unique as the user. Hence it can be quite challenging to identify oneself or others suffering from it. Let alone choosing to start a digital detox. The term “digital detox” describes taking a vacation from electronics. It provides a remedy for those who experience problems as a result of using it. People who are going through a digital detox avoid using digital media and connected equipment. Instead, they concentrate their attention on themselves, their surroundings, current events, or other people. Research has found that technology can be a significant source of stress in a person’s life.
Screentime has been found to be detrimental to the youth affecting their sleep, mood, energy and capacity to function efficiently. Kids who use technology more often at a higher risk of developing sleep difficulties, anxiety, ADHD, behavioural disorders, and issues with self-control.Researchers have shown that teenagers are fixated on the amount of likes and comments they receive on social media platforms. Since they don’t want to feel excluded, this behaviour is frequently motivated by FOMO, or the fear of missing out.
It’s crucial to remember that children’s mental health may suffer as a result of this addiction with social media. Recent studies have substantiated evidence on the development of disorders arising from addiction to phones, social media, games and the internet. Digital detox is becoming popular among adults owing to many reasons ranging from work-life balance, stress stemming from constant connectivity, being in the rat race, cut-throat competition, and comparison to others based on their social media activity.
Research indicates that the development of “Work From Home (WFH)” is contributing to previously unheard-of levels of personal and occupational stress. The main factor causing this stress is the hazy boundary between work and family responsibilities. Both management and employees are failing to understand how the two are different. The management may request that workers check their emails or finish assignments over the weekend or on a holiday. Employees could mistakenly examine details about their jobs out of habit in the meantime. They find it difficult to distinguish between work and personal time as their workstation has become their residence. However, a lot of people who work from home are content and healthy in their daily lives. Connectivity and use of digital media can be beneficial rather than harmful as long as there is a good balance. The process of digital detox involves commitment and willpower.
It need not be as drastic as shunning away all technology and online connectivity. It can be setting up a realistic goal of refraining from technology for a certain period. Which could be daily or thrice a week to focus on self and real-life events. Deciding on mini-detox periods after work or near dinner time to immerse self completely with family or significant others, as well as abstaining from screen time a while before bedtime can improve mental health, sleep and well-being and is more feasible than a full-fledged disconnection.
To lessen the desire to use technology, the aim is to set reasonable boundaries and objectives. Which keeps distractions to a minimum, and participate in physical activity. Involving others to assist can aid in support and motivation to see the detox through. To make sure the practise is viable and tenable, start by taking brief breaks from particular applications and progressively lengthen them at your own speed.
