5 Ways to Do a Digital Detox

It’s no secret that we’re all addicted to our smartphones. Not just Social Media, but we rely on these little black boxes for directions, timetables, the news, banking…the list could go on. It has become rather difficult to carry out a Digital Detox, considering how robust smartphones have become today.

Digital Detox is a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world. We are here to 5 tips to carry out your digital detox with the help of author Blake Snow’s new book, “Log Off: How to Stay Connected after Disconnecting.”

1. Try Helpful Apps and Settings.
   Why not use your addiction itself to help you detoxify?
   Most, if not all smartphones today are equipped with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode which mutes all phone calls, texts and notifications, so your phone does not light up and distract you.
   ‘Mute’ is another helpful (third-party) app available for free on both iOS and Android app stores. The app tracks your phone usage throughout your day to help you break these habits. It gives you daily and weekly stats with metrics such as daily screen time and frequency of checking your phone. You can even set detox goals, where it will alert you when you’ve gone over your set phone limit.
2. Remove Distractions.
   Blake teaches us about the four burners theory — your four burners are family, friends, health, and work. Anything that is not essential to your four burners should be removed. “That means no alerts, beeps, buzzes, or notifications of any kind, perhaps with the exception of voicemails for emergencies.” But Blake notes that “most emergencies are imagined.” By instituting these practices and removing distractions, we focus on what really matters and make better use of our time.
3. Always Ask “WHY?” When You Pull Out Your Phone.
   Sure, our smartphones are handy tools for finding out answers, keeping in touch with friends, or even checking the time. But often, more often than we think, we use our phones to distract, to avoid, or to ignore whatever is happening right in front of us.
   Instead of pushing down our anxiety — perhaps when we’re sitting alone or just feeling alone with a group of people — we can choose not to use our phones as a security blanket. Then we remember how to be present and grateful for the moment.
4. Put Your Phones Away During Meals.
   In a study done by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, when participants used phones while eating, they demonstrated less enjoyment during the meal. So put your phone away, and get carried away in the flavors of the food and the conversations with your friends and family. It’ll make you happier!
5. Earn While You Learn.
   What if someone told you, you can get incentives for not using your phones during school and university? Research suggests that students these days spend up to 50% of class time on their phones. There’s a solution!
   Lock&Stock is a free to download application that rewards students to not use their phones in class. Students can then use those points to redeem discounts, jobs and even scholarships to universities in the UAE!

“I truly believe that keeping our phones in our pockets is one of the bravest things that any of us can do.” — Blake Snow