Why a Digital Detox Should Be a Priority for You From This Year and Beyond…
Il Dolce Far Niente – a phrase popularised from Eat, Pray, Love film or book if you please. “The sweetness of doing nothing” or “delicious idleness” – a fairly foreign phrase to most people but it is a concept with ever-increasing importance in the fast-paced digital age we find ourselves in. Multi-tasking has moved beyond a useful skill to a vice that has caused much stress in people’s lives and that smartphone, laptop or computer in front of you can actually get in the way of your life and leisure time.
Studies involving neuroscientists, psychologists and behaviourists have noticed quite a few improvements within days of people going on digital detoxes. What is a digital detox? It is saying ta-ta, farewell and goodbye to technology for days or even weeks at a time.
1. You Sit and Look Better
With phones, tablets and laptops packed away
2. You Become More Creative
Search Engines are the silent conversation killers. Someone asks a question and without even discussing, thinking and chatting someone Googles the answer and it kills the conversation. Studies show when there is no search engine people use their imaginations, come up with creative stories and form inside jokes. So say toodle-oo to web searches and write your own story with your family and friends…
3. You Remember More
Hopefully this means you won’t misplace your keys again! All jokes aside – you will actually remember more details. Research shows that people who go on a digital detox have improved memory and recall details of what other people say more accurately. Recalling details allows people to have more meaningful conversations with each other. Can everyone say DMC (deep meaningful conversation) time?
4. Peaceful Sleep and More Peace of Mind
Studies show that people need significantly less sleep when they are without technology. So not only will you need less sleep, research shows you will have a higher quality sleep; and detoxing will make you more peaceful and less agitated. No more buzzing and beeping interrupting your quiet time or forty winks.
5. New Points of View
Have you ever felt like you’re sick of the same routine or feel like life is passing by? Then you and technology should temporarily separate. Significant life changes and new perspectives are formed during digital detox periods. Studies show that people decide on career changes, make weighty relationship decisions and recommit to health programmes. “Detoxers” also feel they get the necessary will power to achieve their goals. Sometimes you just need to leap and build your wings on the way down…
6. Catching the Thankfulness Bug
The thing about being more grateful is that you see how many treasures you already have. Research shows “detoxers” become extremely grateful during the experience and truly enjoy the getaway, unplugging and rekindling of relationships. Doesn’t that sound like just what you need?
7. Unplug for a Deeper Connection
“Beep”, “ping’, “ring”, “buzz”, “flash” – Technology constantly interrupts conversations and you don’t even have time to process your own thoughts and feelings before a WhatsApp, email, Facebook notification or message is begging for your attention . Switch-off! A shutdown from the virtual world means a deeper connection with yourself and your loved ones.
Digital Detoxing is a fairly simple and practical step to ensure that this year and 2019 and beyond counts.
“Watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Watch your words, for they become your actions. Watch your actions, for they become your habits. Watch your habits, for they become you character. Watch your character, for your character becomes your destiny.”
