Thinking of undergoing a Digital Detox? Try our 8 Day plan

Have you ever heard tech companies talking about how social media is meant to augment our lives? For most people who still maintain a healthy balance between their online and real-life presence, this is definitely the case. But for some, social media sites, phones, and digital distractions do more than just augment their lives, they tend to replace them entirely.

An unhealthy relationship with technology can see us doing a number of harmful actions from texting while driving to ruining social interactions by having our faces forever buried in our screens. 

If you're worried you might be too reliant on your phone and social media then why not consider trying our simple 8-day digital detox? 

Preparing for your 8-Day detox

Before getting started on the detox, consider the following tips that will make this endeavour a little easier to get through.
 

• Find a friend or partner to join you along the journey.
• Track your usage for a week to see where you can improve.
• Think of the negative consequences of overuse.
• Keep reminding yourself that you are always in control.
• Keep an active journal describing your experiences

The 8-Day Digital Detox

Keep in mind that none of these steps are to be treated as incremental. Each day represents a different requirement for the detox routine. Some may be stricter than others!

Day One - Clearing out all old apps and messages

This may vary depending on whether this is a group or individual effort. But preparation is definitely key. Whether you have a family meeting or are simply taking a personal break, always have a plan. Are there devices you can do without? Gaming PCs, Tablets etc? Pack away anything that isn't essential for work or daily living. 

Those items are only accessible after Day 8. For tablets and phones, clear out all your old personal Whatsapp messages and log out of your social media accounts. Set a ringtone or text tone for a special family member that may have an emergency.

Day Two - Be mindful to not check your phone every two minutes

While you're out and about socialising with friends and family, refrain from using any technology. Leave your phone in your car or in a handbag and don't touch it again until your face-to-face time is finished. Trust me, people can't wait to get a response.

Keep your personal devices in one place in order to stop yourself from holding it in your hand or keeping it in your pocket while going to the shops or when you're out and about. Rather, store your devices in a safe place like your cubbyhole and go about your day without them. You will be amazed how much screen time you can reduce with this simple action.

Day Three - Charge devices outside your bedroom 

Create a charging station for the whole family outside of bedrooms. Keep following the same rules as you would for the previous days but ensure that everyone in the family keeps their phones charged in a central area where everyone can see.

This one is more of a health benefit since research has shown that keeping your phone in your bedroom while charging can disrupt regular sleeping patterns even when not in use. While extremely rare, falling asleep with your device charging next to you for extended periods of time can cause the phone to overheat and could even cause an electrical fire.

Day Four -  Change the way you start and end your day

With the charging station all set up, you can now start and end the day differently. A mindful quiet meditation or writing your goals in a diary, healthy breakfast, a conversation with a loved one, exercise. Finding a new and healthy routine to replace our digital desires is paramount to keeping our usage down even after our detox.

We often find ourselves spending the first and last hours of the day lying in bed and scrolling through our feeds. Today, we're going to cut that out entirely. Some of us might use our smartphones as alarm clocks. This is still fine as long as you use it just for that purpose and immediately turn it off when you awaken.

Day Five - New Year Resolutions

You've just reached the halfway point. If you've been able to diligently follow each step up until now then congratulations! It's definitely easier now than it was when you first started. Today, think of life experiences or things you want to do, new year resolutions and write them down. Nothing too crazy. Just a few simple and achievable activities that enhance your life. Jot one down for each day of the week going forward and commit to doing them.

PS. Consider activities that exclude devices!

Day Six - Switch off and repeat

Turn off all of your mobile alerts and notifications and keep your phone in your desk drawer to only be used for phone calls. Refrain from using your phone in the car unless you require your GPS. Only answer your phone if you have a hands free Bluetooth connection to your car. If you're meeting up with someone or waiting for a meeting, rather read a magazine or take a moment to absorb your environment. 

Day Seven - Tech-Free!

Make your entire home a tech-free zone! That's right, no tv, no phone, no digital anything! To get the most out of this particular day, try to plan it to fall on either a public holiday or weekend and spend the day out in public with friends or family. You're aiming for as little tech usage as possible. Consider organising a "games evening" with your family to help make the most of your penultimate detox day.

Day Eight - Cold Turkey, switch it off

This is it! Your final day of detox. Try to plan this for a weekend day. Today, you should continue to use as little of your devices as possible and focus on ways to affect self-improvement without actually thinking about it. Take the opportunity to understand what it means to be present and in the moment. Think about what that means to you as an individual. 

Do this at least four times a day. Just stop whatever it is you're doing and try to be fully aware of where you are and what this very moment in time means to you. Allow yourself these moments of reflection while feeling your own presence and the effect that you have on your surroundings.

Making the most out of your detox

In recognition of what you've been able to achieve in the last week, start considering ways in which you can replace tech use with ways in which to improve your physical health. The detox will allow you to free up time and energy that you waste away while pulled to the screen. Get moving and start taking up some form of exercise. 

Physical routines are a vital component to grounding yourself in the here and now and give you a place to focus your attention. In many ways, this is the sort of lifestyle augmentation we've been craving all along.

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