Disconnect to Connect

Content provided by the Health & Wellness Team at GBS Benefits

Screens consume a large amount of our personal and professional lives and, for many of us, social media is a main avenue of social connection. Social media can be a great way to connect with friends and family members who live far away or meet new people who share similar interests. On the flip side, it can also provoke feelings of loneliness and comparison.

As nice as Tweeting, chatting, and posting can be, it doesn’t compare to the reality and connection that come with face-to-face conversations. Being present is an important way to foster meaningful relationships, connect with your inner-self, and experience the world in the now.

Disconnect from the devices, apps, and virtual worlds that steal your attention with a digital detox. Now is the perfect time to implement a detox and unplug from the constant connection to electronic devices. Research has shown that participating in a digital detox may even help improve sleep, relationships, and mood.

Experiment with your own digital detox

A digital detox involves taking a break from using electronic devices for a period of time that can last anywhere from a single day to several months. The specifics vary from person to person, but things to avoid during a digital detox may include playing video games, scrolling social media, text messaging, and watching news or other TV programs.

Evaluate your electronic activity and eliminate or limit the areas that will be most impactful for you. This will give you the space needed to experience the world around you and reconnect to experiences that don’t need a screen. Enjoy the benefits of less stress, sharper focus, more time, and better social interactions as a result!

Signs you need to put down the devices: depressed mood, increased irritability, frustration, anger, feeling insecure, loss of sleep, feeling obligated to consume, respond, or check-in.

Not ready to complete a digital detox?

Try implementing some of these tips as a first step to disconnect.

Unsubscribe from all unnecessary emails and texts you have received this week.
Organize digital content and delete excessive files or folders on one device.
Spend 30 minutes engaged in physical activity without technology.
Spend at least one hour outdoors without technology and bring your family along.
Play a board, card, dice, or table game with friends in place of playing a tech-based game alone.
Turn off the TV and leave cell phones, laptops, and all other devices in a separate room during each meal.
Intentionally spend an hour of free time without a screen, either reading a book, journaling, walking, crafting, or meditating.
Spend less than one hour of personal time on a device each day.

Tune out to tune in, unplug to unwind, and disconnect to connect to the moment.