Let’s discuss digital detox benefits and why going offline might be just what you need.

Hello my beautiful dreamers! Today I come to you feeling much more refreshed than I have in perhaps the entirety of 2020. Did I enjoy a nice vacation? Did I spend time at the spa? No.

But, I did step away from the news, social media and my iPhone for a digital detox this weekend. Over the last few days, I spent time in the great outdoors, appreciating the beauty of the world around me. I read. I did yoga. I slept deeply. I spent time with my own thoughts. And through it all, that nagging impulse to check my phone at all hours of the day eased entirely.

Turns out, going offline can do a lot of good and it’s been far too long since I’ve done so. Given the tumultuous year we find ourselves in, I thought we could have a chat today about all the digital detox benefits and why disconnecting might just be the perfect thing for you at the moment.

Digital Detox Benefits

Truthfully, digital detox benefits might vary from person to person depending on their individual circumstances. But for me, stepping away from my phone, the news and social media was immensely helpful. Below are just some of the many perks of going offline.

EASED ANXIETY AND STRESS LEVELS:

In normal times, constant news alerts and too much time on social media can increase anxiety levels — put especially this year. Yes, it’s important that we as a society stay informed on important issues. But, as rapidly as bad news comes out, it can understandably increase our anxiety and stress. By putting distance between yourself and the constant news alerts, emails and social media notifications, you’ll find those anxious feelings start to subside as you recenter.

REFOCUSING:

With so much information flying at us every day, if can be difficult to focus at times on what you really need to focus on. One of the biggest digital detox benefits of disconnecting is you create the space you need to adjust your focus back on your primary objective without all the distractions.

A MUCH NEEDED REST FOR YOUR EYES:

Too much screen time is draining on the eyes, understandably so. Switching to dark mode definitely can help — but a digital detox will make a huge difference. If your eyes feel strained, dry and irritated — try taking a digital detox for a few days to give them a break.

More Digital Detox Benefits

HELPS YOU BE PRESENT

Have you ever been around a group of people where everyone is focused on their phones and essentially not talking to one another at all? I’m guessing yes. Perhaps the most obvious of digital detox benefits is that with your phone turned off — you can be more present in your daily life. That means you can fully enjoy the company of who you are with and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.

CLARITY

The average person is exposed to 5,000 ads and spends 144 minutes on social media per day. And that doesn’t even cover news alerts and emails! By shutting off all the noise you subject yourself to on a daily basis, you create headspace to find clarity. Perhaps something has been weighing on your heart or mind. Perhaps you’ve been struggling to make an important decision. Disconnecting is a great way to find clarity at a time when you most need it.

A RESET BUTTON TO ESTABLISH MORE BALANCE

In this earlier post, I shared that lockdown essentially hit a giant “reset” button and helped me establish more balance in my day-to-day life. Well, a digital detox will do the same thing. On day one, you’ll catch yourself reaching for your phone out of habit. The second day less so and by the third day? Hardly, if at all. Disconnecting pushes a reset button so when you end your digital detox, you may have a more relaxed (i.e. healthy) relationship with your phone.

ULTIMATE FORM OF SELF-CARE

Because self-care is so important, I couldn’t discuss digital detox benefits without referencing how much a period offline will help you care for yourself. It’s such a great form of self-care that there are now even “digital detox resorts” where guests can go to disconnect from their phones and the constant stream of noise they bring to our everyday lives. The good news? Turning off your phone is free so there’s absolutely no need to travel to a far away spa to reap the benefits of going offline.

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