As new technologies advance, they gain the ability to capture our attention and make us use it even when we don’t really need it. That is why many people are truly “hooked” to the world of digital.
In this article you will find several tips to apply digital detox to your daily life and enjoy quality time beyond electronic devices.
6 digital disconnection tips to live beyond screens
It is clear that there is nothing wrong with using a computer or smartphone during leisure time; In fact, there is a lot of interesting and even instructive content on the Internet. However, it is also true that there are many who have problems using their free time for anything other than surfing the Internet and/or playing online video games.
Therefore, if you need it, apply these tips to your life to enhance your ability to disconnect digitally when it really isn’t convenient for you to continue looking at a screen.
1. Leave an automatic notification in your email when you disconnect for vacation
Most email platforms allow Schedule an automatic response for when you receive emails while on vacation. Take advantage of this option to avoid exposing yourself to the temptation of checking your work email inbox.
The Internet is full of digital platforms and social networks designed to “fill in” our dead time at times of day when we don’t know what to do. But, once you have been hooked on their content, it is easy for you to stay browsing through that content and scrolling for many more minutes than you initially planned: that torrent of information (some of which has been selected for us taking into account our tastes and our search tendencies on Google) leads us to lose track of time.
To avoid falling into those situations in which you start looking at the Internet because you have nothing better to do, It is recommended that you structure your time very well., through a detailed schedule of everything you will do that day. Make sure it includes not only the “official” activities you need to take care of, but also what is important to you on a personal level. And, of course, add the moment when you will go to bed and turn off the light. These time barriers will serve as a clear reference to know if you are managing the hours of the day well, and when you are starting to go overboard with the use of social networks, YouTube videos, etc.
3. Use action triggers
This is another of those tips to enhance digital disconnection that complement well with the use of a schedule. Consists in memorize and internalize clear instructions that associate spaces and places with actions to be carried out. It can be used for many types of objectives, such as improving work performance, but it is also useful for keeping us away from distractions in general.
For example, you can memorize these instructions: “When I finish brushing my teeth in the morning, I will go to the bedroom and put on my running clothes.” The idea that one action predisposes you to carry out the next progressively, so that you need a great excuse to break that chain of behaviors and get away from the norm by wasting time with distractions.
4. Maintain an active social life
It is essential to incorporate face-to-face meetings with friends and other people who matter to you into your daily life.. This way, you will prevent almost your entire social life from being channeled through the screen (whether through chats or social networks). Make it a point to keep a routine alive of meeting friends at certain times on certain days of the week.
5. On the Internet, distinguish between learning, work and leisure
It is important that you keep these blocks of activities in mind and that when you dedicate yourself to them, you do not mix them. For example, if you use the Internet to collect documentation to learn, do not mix this action with entertainment on social networks. Thus you will be much more effective in managing your time and limiting unnecessary Internet use.
6. If nothing works, go to the psychologist
If you notice that you suffer from a significant problem with Internet use that leads you to lose control of your habits and routines, it is important that you attend therapy. This is the most effective way to overcome behavioral problemsbecause it gives the possibility of having professional support adapted to each person and problem.
If you are interested in having professional psychological assistance regarding emotional management, impulse management in the face of addictions, or concentration problems, contact us.
In CITA Clinics We offer treatment to people with all kinds of psychological or psychiatric problems, and we have a residential module for admission designed for patients with addictions. You will find us in our centers in Barcelona and Dosrius (Mataró).
