Digital Detox 101: Unplugging for Peace This Summer
Category: Misc.
A digital detox might not be easy, but can pave a real path to peace.
Topic Of Discussion
Missing that summer magic? You’re not alone. With adult responsibilities, comes an added sense of pressure in the summer that might leave you longing for the nostalgia of childhood. But for people in their 30s or older, that childhood magic might be more in reach than they think…
Why? The “good old days” had one big difference from these days…and you might be reading this blog on that very same “difference” right now…
…that’s right… your PHONE! COMPUTER! IPAD! (You name it!) The summer magic of our childhoods had none of those.
A digital detox might not be easy, but can pave a real path to peace. Whether for a whole day or just at certain times of day, unplugging might help you find that old-school, summer magic fast.
So how to start?
Turn off notifications
Ever check your screen time stats for the week and notice how many times a day you pick up your phone? Yeah…yikes. But it’s hard not to when it’s notifying you constantly! Take a day to turn on Do Not Disturb with the peace of mind that emergency calls will still find their way through…but nothing else! Trust that that Uber Eats promo can wait until tomorrow!
Start the day on paper
And you can even pick what kind of paper! A journal? A book? The ACTUAL newspaper? (That’s right, they still exist!) It doesn’t matter…as long as it doesn’t scroll! Just starting the day on paper can be a digital detox in its own right, even if you need to plug in as the day goes on.
Keep tech and sleep separate
Another way to detox every day might be the hardest (but most important!) of all. That’s right…no phones in the bedroom! Can’t sleep without some TikTok time? Studies have shown that you’ll actually sleep better! So hug your teddy bear, give it a shot, and sleep this summer!
Have a digital cleaning day
For most of us, technology is just an essential part of life. Even with time to unplug, plugged-in time is usually just necessary – whether to be social, for school, or for work.
So, once you’ve enjoyed the peace of being unplugged…take some of your plugged-in time to get your digital life organized! Just as you’d clean your house, office, or anywhere else you spend a lot of time, curating and cleaning up your social media, phone apps, or computer files can make the times you need to be plugged in that much less stressful and more productive.
Wrapping it up
Life can be overwhelming and a digital detox might be easier said than done for some. If you’re looking for some extra support, our therapists at Tri-Star Counseling are ready to listen and help.
