Five ways to have a digital detox

If you feel like you’re spending more than enough time in a digital world and you want to get back on track with what’s going on outside your screens, check out our handy tips.

Make a list of all your devices

The best way to start is to compile a list of all of the technology you own. Phones, tablets, laptops, computers, gaming devices – all of these things count, and if you’re doing a proper detox, it’s best to focus on cutting down on your overall usage.

When you’ve got your list, you can use it to jot down how much time you’re spending on each device per day, and use that knowledge to work out where you need to reduce the most.

Keep mobiles and tablets out of the bedroom

Making sure you get enough sleep every night is crucial. Sleep deprivation can make you irritable and have a severe impact on the way you function throughout the day, whether you’re at work, at home, or out with friends.

One of the most common reasons people miss out on sleep is because they stay up late browsing the web or watching TV (we’ve all been guilty of those “just one more episode” moments). The easiest way to stop yourself from doing this is to make sure you leave your tablets and phones out of the bedroom, or at least far enough away from your bed that you can’t reach them when you’re trying to fall asleep.

Limit yourself

You don’t have to cut down on your technology usage completely to reap the benefits. Sometimes, just setting aside a certain amount of time per day to check social media or do a bit of online shopping can be the ticket to learning how to best manage your time.

One of the easiest ways to do so is to split your day into thirds – eight hours for sleeping, eight hours for working, and eight hours to do whatever you want, whether that’s going out for a meal or having a Netflix binge.

Don’t set unachievable targets

If you’re used to being on your phone or laptop at all hours of the day, it’s unreasonable to assume that you’ll be able to go cold turkey on your first attempt. Set yourself small targets to begin with, such as only spending an hour on Facebook rather than going a whole day without your phone.

Once you get used to it, you can start increasing the amount of time you spend away from your devices, and it won’t be as difficult as first expected.

Get someone else to detox with you

Making a change is always easier if you’ve got someone joining you in a shared goal, so have a chat with your nearest and dearest and see if you can convince any of them to cut down at the same time. Having someone to cheer you on when you’re doing a good job is always satisfying.