Benefits of digital detox for health

Can't get away from your gadgets or want to check social media intermittently without realizing it makes you lose track of time? Doing a digital detox may be the right choice. What is a digital detox?

Health benefits of digital detox

Detox in health terms is a comprehensive cure. Furthermore, detoxification is the process of removing waste, toxins, and harmful things from the body.

The purpose of a detox is to give the body the opportunity to heal itself and replenish it with positivity.

Meanwhile, digital detox refers to the period of time a person decides not to use (all or some) technology such as gadgets, computers and tablets, as well as social media. This time lag is called the 'detox' period of the digital device.

It is seen as a way to focus on real social interactions without distraction.

Much like detoxification of the body, digital detox is designed to have the benefits of reducing stress, overstimulation, and the compulsive behavior associated with the use of technology.

By letting go of digital devices, at least temporarily, you can release the stress that comes from connecting with cyberspace. Some of the causes of stress from cyberspace include:

1. Amount of time on line or use of gadgets
2. Excessive consumption of social media and entertainment
3. Consume content on line which is excessive
4. Going too far into cyberspace
5. Dependence is very high on the use of gadgets
6. The period of digital connectivity is continuous without stopping

Why is a digital detox necessary?

For the majority of urban people, connecting to the digital world has become part of everyday life.

According to research from the Nielsen Company conducted in 2018, the average adult in America spends 11 hours each day listening to, watching, or interacting with digital media.

The internet gives us 24/7 time to visit without stopping and provides almost all the information we need. From one smartphone, we can consume more information than we need.

However, at the same time, something else happened. Technology goes so much deeper into your personal life that it makes you feel compelled to pay more attention and involvement in it.

Technology that is supposed to help save time doing your job actually makes you spend more time there.

From this digital dependence, many things have the potential to interfere with your health. Digital detox has the benefit of getting you out of this addiction.

Although technology addiction is not a health disorder, some experts believe that overuse of digital devices is a real addictive behavior and can cause physical, psychological, and social problems.

A large-scale study was conducted by a combination of several universities in the United States. The study shows that people who rarely use social media have a lower risk of depression than those who use it intensely.

Another study was conducted by researchers in Sweden. They found that technology dependence among young adults was associated with sleep problems, depressive symptoms and increased stress levels.

That's why giving your body and mind time to take a break from cyberspace can make your psychology healthier.

Signs you need to do it

Here are some signs you need to do a digital detox.

• Feeling anxious when you can't find or forget to put your gadget.
• Feeling like you have to check your gadget every few minutes.
• Feeling stressed, anxious, or angry after spending time on social media.
• Fear of losing something if you don't keep checking your gadget.
• Often do not realize that they stay up late because of surfing in the digital world.

The surefire way to start a digital detox

Digital detox has benefits for your health. However, that doesn't mean you have to completely give up your digital needs. Do a digital detox in stages by considering the following tips.

1. Decide realistically

Doing a whole digital detox and disconnecting from the world of social media may be something refreshing for some. However, for those of you who rely on digital technology for mandatory pursuits, this may sound impossible.

To enjoy the benefits of digital detox, the key is to realistically decide what digital activities are not working on your mandatory activity schedule.

For example, if you need a gadget to work during the day, try doing a brief detox at night. Give yourself a little time to turn off your digital device, then focus on spending the night free of things like social media and other electronic distractions.

2. Set boundaries

Turn off the gadget for example at certain times. For example, when you eat, especially when eating with other people. You can also do this when spending time with friends or family, as well as doing your hobbies that are not related to gadgets or digital technology.

3.

Another way to do a digital detox is to turn off your gadget notifications. Many social media apps including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and news websites send out notifications whenever there is new information, and it does get annoying.

Digital detok really sounds impossible. However, if you do it slowly and regularly, you will benefit from doing a digital detox.