What is meant by "digital detox"? Digitization and their effects on mental health

In today's society we are increasingly surrounded by digital devices. We can hardly put our smartphone out of our hands and our work is increasingly taking place online. We are constantly accessible, networked and busy. The idea of ​​digital detox is therefore an important approach to bring our lives back into balance. 

What is digital detox? 

Digital detox means consciously separating from digital devices and technologies. It is about taking a break of emails, social media, smartphones and other digital devices. It is an opportunity to take our lives back in hand, relax and deepen our relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Advantages and disadvantages of digital detox 

Digital Detox has many advantages, including improving mental health and reducing stress and fear. It can help us increase our creativity and productivity and support us in finding a healthy work-life balance. Many enter into digital detox to be more focused and more relaxed and learn or work better. It was found that only getting a notification can distract us very much, even if you don't answer it. In addition, a connection between the frequent use of social networks and sunken school performance was discovered.

However, there are also some disadvantages, such as the fear of missing something or the feeling of not always being available. You also have to mention that many people now work full -time with digital devices. For example, if you work as a social media manager, you automatically spend a few good hours a day in front of the screen without being online privately. In this regard, digital detox can have a challenge.

How and when do you do digital detox? 

You can easily practice digital detox for a few hours in everyday life. For example, you could do without technology one hour after getting up and two hours before going to bed. You can also spend a whole day or even a weekend without digital devices to enjoy life outside the screen.

There are many ways to practice digital detox. For example, we can switch off our devices at certain times or separate from them for a certain period of time. A weekend without internet or a hiking holiday without technology can help us rethink our relationship with digital devices and learn how to get along without them.

Digital detox in companies 

More and more companies are recognizing the importance of digital detox. Some employers have already introduced regulations that enable employees to separate themselves from work in certain periods and not be accessible. These measures can help reduce burnout and stress and to increase the productivity and creativity of employees.

We offer with our company (joycorporate.ch) a Digital detox seminar that helps the employees to find a healthy work-life balance and to improve the handling of digital devices. It can help employees reduce stress, increase concentration, improve relationships and to develop a deep understanding of their own needs and limits. A regular digital detox can help employees do their work more efficiently and more productively and find a better work-life balance.

Main topics & content: 

• Introduction to the importance of a digital detox and The effects of excessive digitization on health and well -being.
• Do social media make us lonely and depressed?
• What is social contagion on social media?
• Polarization and social media
• Social media and effects on mental health
• The gaming and aggressiveness
• The blue screen light
• Digital media and sleep
• Action plan for digital detoxification
• Stress at the workplace
• Definitions: wellbeing, stress, digital detox Practical exercises and techniques to To improve handling of digital devices and reduce stress
• Discussions and workshops to promote awareness and responsibility in dealing with technology
• Tips and tricks for a successful digital detox and integration into everyday life

Companies can benefit from digital detox. Due to the constant availability of emails and other digital communication means, many employees feel forced to be available at any time. However, a clear separation between work and leisure is important in order to give employees the opportunity to relax and recharge their batteries. For example, companies can plan digital detox breaks in which no digital devices are allowed or introduce a digital withdrawal day per week.

Digitization and their effects on mental health 

Digitization has many advantages, but it also has an impact on our mental health. The permanent accessibility can lead to overload, and the dependence on digital devices can lead to the fact that we alienate ourselves from the real world. This culture of permanent accessibility demonstrably leads to chronic stress and emotional overload.

A conscious handling of digital technologies can help us build up a healthy relationship with you and improve our mental health. Likewise, a conscious handling of digital technology can also relieve the body. When looking at screens, the blue lights are taken up, which has been proven to have an impact on sleep quality. Before going to bed, it is advisable to stay away from digital devices to ensure a relaxing sleep.

Tips for dealing with our devices

It is important to be aware that a constant consumption of digital media can also have disadvantages. In addition to the physical and mental stress mentioned, too high consumption can also affect interpersonal relationships. 31% of Internet users miss valuable time that they would rather spend with friends and family.

It is therefore advisable to integrate regular digital detox phases into everyday life. You can proceed as required and individual situation. Some tips are:

• Limit cell phone and laptop use to a minimum
• Banning digital devices from the bedroom
• Plan over times without digital devices, e.g. drive when eating or doing sports
• Find alternatives to the consumption of digital media, e.g. reading or walking
• Do not use cell phone as an alarm clock
• Do not operate multitasking on digital devices

There are many options on how to integrate digital detox into everyday life. It is important that you are aware of the effects of excessive consumption of digital media and that you take time for yourself and the interpersonal relationships.

Overall, Digital Detox can help to achieve a healthier work-life balance, reduce stress and increase well-being. So it is worth taking time for a digital break and consciously paying attention to your own needs.

More sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_detox
• https://journals.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/spir/article/view/11244
• https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2019.0578
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12599-022-00747-x#Bib1
• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20501579211028647
• https://www.itstimetologoff.com/digital-detox-facts/