5 Steps to a Digital Detox

Technology is a great for work and life productivity, I mean, where would we be without our smart phones and tablets? These tools allow us to create our schedules, shop, browse, text, chat, snap pictures, shoot videos, check the time, etc.

While I’m all for getting news updates from family and friends on Facebook and other social media, there’s a point when all this digital content could cause overwhelm and take up valuable mind space.

The challenge with our digital life is that if it doesn’t serve a particular purpose, it could also act as pure clutter and distract us from mission critical work tasks or take away from our ability to be fully present with our loved ones.

Consuming too much information is like eating empty calories without the proper nutrients.
Your brain needs to unplug same the way you need to “delete history” on your web browser from time to time.

That’s where a digital detox would come in handy. By making a commitment to take regular breaks from your wired life, you can clear the mental clutter and free up mind space.

What is a Digital Detox?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines digital detox as 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.

Here one would unplug from the digital world in order to slow down, make room for self-care and spend quality time with the people that matter. At its essence, it’s to take a step back and get in touch with life priorities.

Here are five steps to getting unplugged time:

1.) Set your parameters.
The beauty of unplugging is you can choose when, how long and how often. It’s really up to you. You can choose if you want to unplug every Sunday afternoon for two hours or take a real vacation on a remote island for two months.  Here are some options:

• Detox Lite: 1/2 day, full day, weekend, long weekend
• Middle of the Road: 1-2 weeks
• Hardcore: 2 weeks or more

It’s probably easiest to schedule this around recreational activities or vacation time.

2.) Set the agenda for your time away from technology.
What would you if you weren’t checking emails, social media or shopping online? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Connect with nature, spend a day in the park
• Hike, kayak, relax on a beach
• In the winter, go ice skating, skiing or snowboarding
• Get a massage at the spa
• Visit an art museum or gallery
• Do some gardening
• Visit places on your life bucket list
• Take a vacation

This is by no means an exhaustive list. You choose your own activity or adventure.

3.) Or have a structured digital detox program set the agenda for you.
Camp Grounded is an adult camp where you can unplug from technology. Campers from all over the world ditch technology for an off-the-grid weekend in the California redwoods. You could also research your local area for similar programs.

4.) Set boundaries and have contingency plans in place.
Notify your family, friends and colleagues when you’ll be gone and how long with instructions on how to get a hold of you in the event of a true emergency.

5.)  Make unplugged time a habit.
After you’ve experienced your first digital detox, notice how you feel about the experience and decide how often to do this, whether it be every quarter or once a year. Take this seriously as though you were going to a doctor’s visit. If it’s not on your calendar, it’s not likely to happen. Don’t forget, you could always start small with one weekend afternoon and go from there.

With these five steps, you’re on your way to clearing your mind to be more present. Taking the time to unplug will help you be more productive and in tune with yourself so you could give your very best at work and life.