Switch off with a digital detox

There is a growing number of self-employed business owners who regularly put themselves on a digital detox. Many work from home mums are taking advantage of the summer holidays to do just that and are reaping the subsequent rewards.

Social media addiction is a real worry for many, regardless of age or job status. The average person checks their phone 200 times a day, whilst an astonishing 73% of Brits admit they cannot last a day without checking their phone or computer. With technology making everything so instant and accessible, we can find ourselves living our lives constantly switched on, plugged in, and generally on the go.

But why would you want to have a digital detox and how can you implement one?

The benefits of a digital detox

One of the biggest issues with the digital world is that of focus. With everything within easy access 24/7, we can find it all a bit too distracting. This leads us to lose focus on what is important to us and negatively impacts our professional and personal lives.

Having a digital detox enables you the opportunity to switch off, recharge, and get refocused on your priorities. We can easily get swept up in the busy-ness of the digital world, losing sight of our own dreams and desires, as well as our intuitive thoughts and feelings. Not only will a detox help you get focused, it will also enable you to connect back in with yourself and your own rhythms and flow.

Look to ease yourself into a digital detox

As with any other addiction, you need to ease into a digital detox, as going cold turkey does not suit everyone. Start by limiting your daily use. Establish a daily time allowance for going online or for using a certain piece of technology. This will help you wean off being dependent on it.

Another great way to ease into a digital detox is to make certain rooms in your home device free. Not only will this help change your digital habits, you will also reap the rewards from these changes. Having no devices in the bedroom will help you sleep better, whilst having no devices in the dining room will help encourage the family to interact and converse more with each other.

How to plan your digital detox

A full digital detox ideally needs to be for at least 24 hours. Before you start a detox, remind yourself why you are doing it so you can get that motivation ramped up and increase your likelihood of sticking to your plan. Another way to ramp up the motivation is to make a list of the things you enjoy and plan them into your digital free days.

Tell everyone

It also helps to have a detox buddy, so share what you are doing and see if there is anyone who wants to do a detox with you. This will not only give you an accountability buddy, it also ensures that everyone knows what you are doing. There is less chance of them inadvertently helping you to break your digital detox plans.

Hit the off button

Finally, switch off all digital devices. This can be a big step for many, as we are so used to having it all constantly on, but sit with that initial uncomfortable feeling. It will go. Focus on the activities you have planned and switch your focus onto them.

Digital detoxes do take a certain amount of planning, especially if you are self-employed and have regular clients. However, if you give them fair warning and block off the time in your diary, you will minimise the effects it may have on those around you. And who knows, you may just enjoy the whole experience and decide to make it a regular event.

How do you feel about digital detoxes? Have you completed one or do you regularly schedule them in already? If so, why not share your tips, advice, and experience on them in the comments box below and help others to enjoy the benefits.