Hello there,
Welcome back on screen! How are you? Like really. How do you feel?
Today I am here with a request: please don’t do digital detox. Wonder why? Let me explain.
Do you know what digital detox means? Of course you do! Nowadays everyone knows it, it’s a great trend isn’t it?! We go on digital detox when we need a period of time without any digital devices, such as smartphones, laptops, TV or access to Social Media because we feel the need of detoxification. We usually do so to escape from the digital noise (infollution (=information pollution), notifications, always-on-culture, distractions etc) and to focus on “real life”. While a digital detox might have great instant benefits, I have some concerns about it:
- Digital Detox implies that we have already reached a toxic level of digital usage. Why should we let ourselves get there? Think about alcohol. A bit is great eventually, a bit more exceptionally can be okay, but we don’t want to drink as much so that we need to get to the hospital for a stomach detox, right? (I know I’m not alone with this.)
- Digital Detox is just a couple of days or weeks long process. It’s like a campaign that is never sustainable. Think about holidays. When I take a look around, I see many people pushing work till the last efforts, and all year long they’re waiting for those 3 weeks they can enjoy. They go on this well-deserved vacation with a great pressure to have it perfect and recharge them for the remaining 49 weeks. I’ve been there, done that and this is not how it should work – and let’s be honest, this approach does not work. We need to, and hopefully many of us manage to, find ways to consciously build in our schedule recharging activities from time to time for our wellbeing. We should aim the same when it comes to our digital life: we need to find an optimal, sustainable tech-life balance for our digital wellbeing.
- Digital Detox has short term benefits mostly. Think about a quick 2 weeks-long diet where you lose 5 kgs and in 2 months you gain 10kgs back. We feel good, relaxed, recharged, even maybe inspired for a while, then reality kicks back in and we’re more overwhelmed than before.
- Digital Detox can feel great, but coming back can be painful. Think about the same holiday example from the previous points. Do you remember how it feels to log in to your work-mail after 3 weeks of disconnect? Many report feeling overwhelmed, anxious and depressed – aka post-holiday blues or syndrome.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that digital detox is necessarily bad, it’s a good start. But what if we aim for a balanced way of technology usage and use digital detox not as one-time campaign but as a nice base to obtain your optimal tech-life balance and digital wellbeing. I tell you what: our relationship with technology will be (more) sustainable. What does this mean?
Each and every one of us has their own balance. 20% tech & 80 non-tech, 50% tech & 50 % non-tech, 75 % tech & 15% non-tech (just to mention some examples) – it really depends on your intention, your values, your goals and your needs. Some may find digital minimalism, which is the movement of carefully selecting a small number of online activities that strongly support things we value, the lifestyle that they benefit of the most. Some may feel empowered by using technology as much as they can and they’re happy with it. It’s crucial we raise awareness on what we really need from tech and use it accordingly & intentionally – aka attention to intention please!
What helps me – and could work for you as well? Some ideas:
- Making my great disconnect plan. For the day, for the week and for the month. This is when I take a look at my goals and my capacity and see how and when I can build in time slots (from hours until weekends) when I have zero tech around.
- Designing triggers to get rid of tech when not needed. A self-made unplug box placed in a certain area in my home is inspiring.
- Leaving my phone outside of the bedroom. For my ability to have a quality rest, for the sake of my mood for the day, and for my partner’s sake and more.
- Planning activities that, by default, don’t need digital devices. This is when, without specifically saying I’m having a disconnect, I do disconnect.
- Language can trick our minds. Conscious using of words help with re-evaluating digital detox. Digital Sabbath, tech-free time, disconnect days – how much kinder these are to us?
What could help when you’re managing online or hybrid communities? Some ideas:
- Have a conversation about the topic with your team
- Create break-plans together
- Encourage phone-free meeting offline and walk & talk meetings online if the topic allows (such as brainstorming)
- Offer space for physical movement
- Make a lunch OR work rule!
What could help when facilitating educational activities? Some easy to implement ideas:
If you’re offline:
- Phones set to zero notifications: Do Not Disturb is a good start, Airplane mode is even better
- Phone’s outside of the training room or in an Unplug-box
- Organise activities outdoor
- Offer dedicated tech-time
If you’re online:
- Make the online bit easy to digest by asking participants to: Switch off self-view, Close all side windows, Switch off phone/leave in other room
- Use the 20-20-20 rule for quick refresher
- Offer screen-free break to refresh eyes and move the body
- Organise a walk & talk workshop
So many thing we can actually do to keep a healthy tech-life balance and avoid the need of digital detox! What will be the one thing you’ll try to build your routine for your wellbeing? Remember, I’m here if you need support!
Good luck and stay well,
Nóra
