How To Do A Technology Detox

Are you on technological overload, and it’s time to do something about it? When you spend more time talking on the phone than you do sleeping, you know it’s time to do a technology detox. Here’s how to ease yourself away from your computer or phone and back into reality:
 

1. First step is to avoid "tech turds". Don’t just dump your smart phone on the table at a restaurant or at home. Keep it in your pocket or purse unless it’s critical to have it out. If you do have it out please inform your companion you will only check it in an emergency. It’s out of respect to do so. 
   
   
2. Second, live your life in the real world. You don’t need to constantly post a status update or tweet or blog about something in your life. Anything you post or tweet, make sure it’s something you’d be willing to say to anyone in face. 
   
   
3. Thirdly, ask yourself if you really need the gadget. There are tons of cool stuff in the technological world and some may even improve your family life, but don’t feel pressured to use every new toy that comes out.
   
   
4. Fourth, sleep device-free. Move your chargers out of the bedroom to another room or to the other side of the room. They need a break from you too.
   
   
5. Fifth step is to decide between people or technology. Work towards choosing to spend time with your family freinds over being plugged in your devices. Yes, there are times that it may be difficult to choose between your smart phone or laptop and paying attention to your child or loved one or friend. Do your best to use your device more on your own time rather during the time you share with loved ones.
   
   
6. Sixth step, structure your e-day. Arrange a time that you will dedicate checking your e-mails, reading texts and following-up. When you’re ready to un-plug in the evening, do it without reservation and focus on the here and now.
   
   
7. Seventh step is to make plans and set goals. Chances are that you will really need something to keep pushing you towards technology independence. Just as dieting, you need to plan and keep in mind the smart criteria  for goal setting: specific, measureable, accurate, realistic, and timely. 
   
   
8. Eighth step, draw up a game plan. Ask yourself how will you spend time that has been freed from shutting out technology? Explore other activities that won’t require you to be plugged in. Look into other hobbies that don’t revolve around technology. It’s important to establish healthy habits.
   
   
9. Lastly, believe in the power of choice. Don’t feel robbed from your freedom. It’s hard to resist change but it’s about embracing it.

 

 

Technology has overwhelmed our daily lives to the point of constant distraction. Many of us no longer focus on single tasks or face-to-face conversation without wanting to reach out to the virtual world. We are constantly plugged in! This plan will help you regain control and focus on your life!

Tip: Once you completed the digital detox, return to the detox phase at least once a month to once a week. You can do this as a family too. Use that day as a touchstone to remember what life can be like without technology.

Are We in Need of a Digital Detox?

Is social media the new addiction? What is it about social media that causes people to spend so much of their time trading information with friends, family and a large network of companies? People are so obsessed with checking their social media circles throughout the day and even the night. This may be troubling to some and may affect their attention span. Media fanatics check their phone constantly throughout the day and may check for more than a half an hour at a time.


View the following video to learn about Social Media Addiction:




“Gemini Adams is a self-confessed addict. Not drugs, not alcohol, but Facebook.” Some people just can’t get enough of friending, tagging, poking, and posting. Facebook addiction is real and unhealthy. It’s to the point that people are spending a lot of time not only on Facebook But, thinking about what they will post on Facebook. It may be used to release the tension of current problems in their lives. Do you suffer when you are prohibited from using Facebook? If so, then you might suffer from Facebook addiction.

FORMER FACEBOOK ADDICT GEMINI ADAMS, SAYING:

"I'd signed up to every aspect of Facebook and was utilizing every sort of part of it. Checking in wherever I went and I remember just feeling really kind of revolting and just, you know, gnarled up inside physically because I hadn't been exercising. And I was just in this position, hunched over a computer and you know my eyesight was worse."

Gemini Adams is now a part of a digital detox. She won’t use Facebook for more than an hour at a time and can go a week without checking it for 24 hours straight. Can you do that? She is working on her sudden temptations to just comment or post something on Facebook. We normally hear about a cleanse detox diet in which someone is cleansing their body of chemical and harmful toxins. But, now there is such a thing as digital detox in which you disconnect you reconnect with yourself again. I find this so interesting because everyone nowadays has that “always on” mentality which can be overwhelming. I found a fascinating website that provides digital detox retreats: The Digital Detox. They host retreats for both private and intimate parties including corporation and employee engagement. Maybe we should take a look at this and see if we are in need of a digital detox ourselves.

 The underlying questions here is, how much is too much? As mentioned in the video, if we are plugged into media and check it excessively throughout the day then we have a problem! We need to treat ourselves and that begins with going cold turkey. But in today's connected world, unplugging may be a lot harder than it sounds.