It’s the holiday season, which is a truly spectacular time of year for many people but can often lead to overwhelming circumstances for others. It can be difficult to remain present among your family and friends or to enjoy the simple moments of the season, with all the stresses and pressures of daily life creeping up on you in phone updates and emails.

Perhaps you might consider taking a break from the abundance of sensory overload this holiday season! If you’re feeling the need to detox your brain and body, to break free from all the stressors and devices holding you hostage, or to simply have more time to spend with your loved ones, then consider a dedicated digital detox. 

Here’s how you can manage one this holiday season!

How To Do A Digital Detox During The Holidays

Spending time away from your cellular device, TV, or computer is going to be much more difficult than you might anticipate. Whether you decide to detox from digital devices for a few hours every day, a few full days at a time, or even the entire holiday season, be prepared for some difficulty ahead! 

The truth is that technology has brought human beings limitless opportunities to gain insight, understanding, and connection in the world today, which is honestly wonderful, but there are also endless distractions and side effects we forget that we rely on. You might find yourself far more attached than you originally realized when you make the attempt to disconnect, so be sure to set some rules, have realistic expectations, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Beyond that, here are 5 tips for getting through the holidays on a digital detox:

Remember that escaping noise and distractions is good for your health. If you’re like many of us you might find that you frequently check your phone for texts, social updates, emails, work notifications, and more throughout the entire day. You might find that you habitually check your phone without any real reason to, or that you spend multiple pointless hours on social media, reading news articles, or watching Youtube videos every day. Not only does staring at a screen for hours on end lead to digital eye strain, but it also uses up a lot of time that could have been spent on more productive, healthy, or family-oriented things. Giving your eyes a break from this strain will help your eyesight, but it will also boost your productivity and give you much more time to spend with people you love or on things you enjoy.

Relearn how to entertain yourself without the use of a digital device. In today’s day and age, we often think that television shows, video games, or social media surfing are the only ways to get real entertainment, but that simply isn’t true. Try playing some games, going for walks, picking up a hobby, or just enjoying time spent in other people’s company this holiday season. Read a book, or read multiple books! Spend some effort learning new ways to have fun and enjoy your time rather than resorting to a digital device to entertain you.

Hide your phone. Now, this doesn’t mean you should put it in a place you’ll never find it since you probably need your phone to be handy in case of any emergencies or just out of plain necessity. Instead of keeping it face-up and within reach, however, put your phone somewhere out of reach with the screen face-down or covered so every little notification doesn’t disturb you. You can be sure to keep the sound on high so you’ll know if someone calls or texts, but this way you won’t feel a desperate need to check every single notification that pops up.

Delete your social apps. Things like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are great for keeping up with distant friends and family, but they’re also really good at distracting you from the what’s going on in the moment. Consider uninstalling these apps for the holidays and re-installing them once the holidays are over. You can catch up with all your notifications and random Facebook suggestions later.

Mark a physical calendar with the rules of your detox. Whether it’s for a few hours every day, multiple days in a row, or the entire season, be sure you know how long your digital “fast” is and don’t leave it up to checking your devices for a reminder. Make sure you’re clear about the rules of your detox and let anyone you care about know that you’ll catch up with them after the holidays. Then prepare to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy your time with family!

I hope you enjoyed these 5 digital detox tips!!

Have a wonderful week!

Robyn Bennett 

PS: If you’re looking to start the New Year on the right foot schedule a call with me now where I can help you make your next launch a success! Click here to schedule now!