[JJakaSquirrel]

Phone Detox

Recently I picked up the book Unplug: How to Break Up with Your Phone by Richard Simon. I'm nearly done with it, and ita a great read. He has interviews with a bunch of different people who have started living without a smartphone, or just using it less. I don't think I can ever give it up entirely, but I've been slowly getting away from being on it all the time. I ever deleted mist if my social media apps excluding fb because I use that to keep in touch with work friends and family. The DB forums here are safe as well. I'm not going anywhere, but its just something I wanted to experiment with to see how I feel, and currently, I feel pretty great. How about y'all? Any one else ever think about putting the fun-screen down for some time?

 

[Anek]

I started a Facebook detox a few weeks ago. I realized just how much time I was wasting watching stupid videos, so off it went. I don't have any other social media apps so that was where I spent most of my time. My phone battery lasts a lot longer now, and I get to read my books instead. So much better!

 

[MasonHale]

I have been thinking about doing something similar. I do not think I could give up my phone completely, but cutting down the pointless checking would probably do me some good.


The biggest thing for me is how automatic it becomes. You pick the phone up to check one thing and somehow twenty minutes disappear. Removing a few apps and turning off most notifications already seems like a good place to start.


I would be interested to hear how you feel after a couple of weeks, especially whether you notice any difference with sleep or concentration.

 

[Damer]

Recently I picked up the book Unplug: How to Break Up with Your Phone by Richard Simon. I'm nearly done with it, and ita a great read. He has interviews with a bunch of different people who have started living without a smartphone, or just using it less. I don't think I can ever give it up entirely, but I've been slowly getting away from being on it all the time. I ever deleted mist if my social media apps excluding fb because I use that to keep in touch with work friends and family. The DB forums here are safe as well. I'm not going anywhere, but its just something I wanted to experiment with to see how I feel, and currently, I feel pretty great. How about y'all? Any one else ever think about putting the fun-screen down for some time?

Improved mental health (i.e. better focus, less anxiety, the ability to think & plan clearly) are the direct result of our perception of control. The brain is ancient. It constantly checks for potential threats and calibrates them according to its understanding of our ability to deal with them. Faced with an influx of information that can be perceived as alarming, in a context over which we have zero influence, it remains in a state of agitation.

Technology (and social media) used correctly are powerful enablers. They make us feel smarter, less lonely and provide us with an easy way to access the information we need. Used without intention however they become the conduits through which the world can alarm us while making us feel powerless.

I am putting this here for everyone on this thread (and I appreciate the important point you have raised) - use technology on your terms:

• Don't get pulled down rabbit holes. I know they're fascinating but most times they provide information we don't really need and create anxiety we can do without.
• Be as intentional in your digital connections as you are in your RL ones. I know the threshold barrier for digital is a lot lower. It makes us lower our guard however. Connect with people who matter to you (even as a loose network that provides support or just makes you feel that you're not the only one struggling). Try to give back (if possible) as well as take. Small acts of support to others make us realize that words matter and that we matter. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable in the right context - none of us is superhuman.
• Be methodical. Use technology for your reasons. Ask yourself when you do: "How does this benefit me?" - be precise and be honest.
• Be disciplined. We can all spent an entire day online doing nothing apart from just hanging. It appears to be OK but it's not, especially when we use it as a distraction. Our brain knows we are using it as a distraction. It knows there are things we need to deal with and -even worse- if we happen to come across highly curated content we can end up feeling like we are the only miserable, struggling person on the planet - which is definitely not true. We all have bad days and we all struggle with things.
• Create your tribe. Nothing makes us feel seen, worthy and happier than a sense of acceptance by others and a sense of belonging. Create the connections that make you feel good. Raise them as they raise you. In The Hive, in particular, it is easier to find people who root for you than any other place of the web. Do not be afraid to just ask for a virtual hug or a pat on the back from time to time. We all need it and, here at least, we are all willing to provide it to others.

Do all that and a lot of the negative aspects that come with excessive phone use and technology immersion disappear. But, more than that, you end up feeling better and happier and that actually makes you healthier because the neurotransmitters flowing through your brain and body elicit positive, calmer responses which reduce cortisol levels in the bloodstream and help every major organ function better. You literally become healthier even if you do nothing else.

I really hope this helps.