By Dr Shalini Yadav
If you have an addictive personality and have difficulty pulling yourself away from your phone and other devices, it’s time to go on a digital detox.
-Damon Zahariades
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, we are relentlessly bombarded with notifications, messages, and updates from an array of digital devices. The Internet has become an integral part of our lives, and if we introspect, we have become habitual of or better call it addicted to see social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter day and night. There are so many Whatsapp groups or Facebook groups in phones that people are not able to see in a day. No doubt it provides us with incredible accessibilities, eases and prospects at professional or personal fronts at times, it also leads to a sense of obliterate, strain and lassitude whether you desire or not. This is where the concept of digital detox comes into play.
In other words if we say, it is a kind of fasting and fasting has been included in various religions from ages to purify one’s body, mind and soul. Theologian and philosopher Saint Augustine has said: “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust and kindles the true light of chastity.”
Like fasting or eating less or selected healthy cuisine, detoxing one’s body is about eliminating harmful toxins from the body, avoiding and keeping yourself away from junk food and high calorie diets, digital detox or digital fasting insinuates to a period of time where individuals can intentionally disconnect themselves from their electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even social media platforms. Via this one can step away from the ceaseless flow of information. It also assists in regaining a sense of positive poise and perceptual lucidity. Fasting of any kind either it’s about food or digital content, “is the greatest remedy- the physician within”- articulates Swiss physician and alchemist, Paracelsus.
The way, a systematic cleansing and detox is required after a luxurious holiday trip or after attending a marriage ceremony or partying with friends, requisite for a digital detox has also become progressively proliferating due to the mounting dependency on technology. Studies suggest that the average person spends several hours a day consuming digital content, and this constant exposure can have detrimental effects on our well-being at various levels.
In specific, young generation is at high risk due to excessive usage of digital devices and digital content. They are extensively engaged in these sitting at one place, watching reels on Instagram or chatting for long hours with friends and sidelining their studies and career outlooks. Therefore, there is an avalanche in several diseases such as weakness of eyesight, obesity, early age heart strokes, neural diseases and psychological illness etc. Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are also on the upsurge, and one of the major reasons of these problems is excessive technology use. Moral degradation is also one of the aftermaths of unwarranted practice of reading and watching digital content without any censorship.
The power of detoxification is immense and the paybacks are bounteous and across-the-board. Firstly, it allows us to take a break from the constant hullabaloo of social media and distractions of the virtual or on-screen world. By disconnecting, we can tune into our surroundings, engage in evocative and sensible face-to-face conversations touching the core, and cultivate deeper relationships with those around us. This hiatus empowers us to be present in the moment and appreciate the simple pleasures in life including relishing nature and our real-life relations. Currently not only youth but also all age group people need to opt for frequent digital detox to reenergize them.
Furthermore, getting detoxinated gives the best deal of a respite for our brains. Nonstop exposure to screens and information overload can lead to cognitive overkill and weariness. By taking a break, we give our brains the opportunity to recharge. It aids in augmenting our focus, efficiency, delivery, vision and inventiveness. Many individuals, who have taken a digital detox, expressed in a personal one-on-one talk that they feel more strengthened and inspired after the practice of it. It is a kind of rejuvenating from inside out and complete nourishment of body and mind.
Veteran actress and author, Wendy Speake exerts to make us aware through her book ‘The 40-Day Social Media Fast: Exchange Your Online Distractions for Real Life Devotion’ that our smart devices are easy path to reach anything in this world but we don’t pay heed that it can be a disruption from those which Google search can not find for us including human emotions and values.
Advantageous and therapeutic digital detox, which we cannot surpass, also improves mental health and gives time to a person to be serene and composed. Social media platforms, in particular, have been linked to feelings of meagerness when one sees everyone voicing out loud about their professional or personal stuff and unfortunately that creates in many the "fear of missing out" (FOMO).
Unplugging from the digital world is not so easy we all know, as it causes stress to many of losing something, yet by removing ourselves from these virtual spaces, we can set ourselves free from the comparison ploy and foster a fitter and healthier liaison with us. A digital detox allows us to explore our inner selves and reconnect us with it, practice introspection and self-reflection, and prioritize self-care.
Executing digital detox does not mean that one has to permanently cut ties with technology or leave it fully; it is all about learning to balance for a healthy life style and better productivity. One can follow few tips for desired results while implementing digital detox in the schedule.
In his book ‘7 Practical and Easy Questions to plan a Digital Detox: Your Personal Digital Detox Planner’, Rijul Arora tells that it takes time to keep yourself away from your phone and start doing it for limited time on daily basis. He further suggests adding years to your life and life to your years through a ritual of digital detox.
One needs to set clear boundaries. Decide on a specific time frame for the detox, whether it's a few hours, a day, or even a week. Clearly communicate your intentions related to it and time period to friends and family so they can support your decision and don’t panic if you are not available.
Try to generate physical barriers. Find a specific place or box or area as a "device-free zone" in your home. Be stick to your decision not to be allured to go in that grey zone. Minimize impulse temptations and reinforce the detox process with determination and dedication for anticipated outcomes.
Engross yourself in offline and outdoor activities. Plan and consume your time within activities that do not require screens. Be selective and read a good book of your interest, practice yoga or learn dance, go for a walk or hike, or spend quality time with loved ones. Rediscover hobbies and passions that have taken a backseat in the digital age such as painting, drawing, singing, writing etc.
Be watchful with strong willpower about your digital fasting and feasting. Once you experience it, know the benefits and reintroduce technology into your life, make a promise to yourself and a conscious effort to be more purposeful and calculated with your usage of technology. Create borderlines for on-screen time and prioritize activities for everyday that nurture your inclusive well-being.
Thus, it can be said that digital detox offers irreplaceable benefits in today's technology-driven world where everyone seems to be fully engrossed with their gadgets discarding real treasure of humanity and nature. Such breaks from our devices can help us in reclaiming our time, focus, and mental-physical well-being. So, we should be ready to gift ourselves this gift time to time and relish the positive impact it can have on our life.
Dr Shalini Yadav is an avid poet, writer, humanitarian, ambassador of peace and professor, holds a PhD in Post-colonial Literature and M. Phil in English Language Teaching (ELT) from the University of Rajasthan. During her tenure as an educator in India, Libya and Saudi Arabia, she has participated and presented papers at conferences, chaired sessions and delivered keyspeeches. She has written scholarly research articles for various National and International refereed journals and edited volumes. She is an active member of various literary societies. She is also an efficacious member of the editorial boards of various qualitative journals of many countries. She has authored and edited 11 books till now. She is recipient of Savitribai Phule Excellence Award-2023, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award-2023 and Acharya Mahaveer Prasad Dwivedi Award.
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