Digital detox: reducing anxiety in a hyperconnected world
Do you know that anxiety has become the most common mental disorder worldwide? Partly the reason for this is the constant interaction with the digital world, which keeps our minds running all day!
Anxiety has become common, with over 301 million people diagnosed with it worldwide. It has always been challenging with the world that is increasingly running on our screens and connecting each person digitally. As the World Health Organization stated, “4% of the global population currently experiences an anxiety disorder,” and numbers are increasing due to excessive use of these digital means that affect our overall mental health and may disconnect us entirely from the real world around us. So it is up to us to take care of ourselves and make a healthy balance between the digital and real world through regular digital detox to cleanse our minds and souls and stop the chaos of our busy lives.
What is digital detox?
In modern times, we are using digital technologies a lot more than we significantly have; the resources and digital means have evolved to be a part of our daily lives. The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in the fast evolution of digital means in our daily lives, connecting people worldwide and forming a unity to fight the pandemic. While it may be good to connect to the world in a fast and convenient way through social media, emails, and so many things on the internet, it is getting increasingly concerning as people are spending an unhealthy amount of time on digital platforms.
Excessive use of digital means can have many psychological impacts on our minds and develop several conditions, such as:
- Social isolation and being disconnected from the real-time world.
- Developing sleep disorders.
- Constantly using the internet in the fear of missing out (FOMO).
- Suffering from information overload and being less productive.
- Procrastinating and avoiding your daily activities.
Getting a digital detox can significantly improve the lifestyle and strike a balance in maintaining internet exposure in a healthy amount.
The connection between digital overload and anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, uneasiness, and fear that can be normal to stress or danger. People who have anxiety tend to overthink unnecessary things, feel detached from themselves and the world around them, and be on the edge all the time.
With constant notifications, endless social media scrolls, and an overwhelming amount of digital content, anxiety has been increasing more and more in young individuals. Scrolling through social media after mental and physical work might feel like a relaxing break, putting more stress and mental exhaustion on our minds. Being busy on the screens and not even bothering to look at the real world around us.
The radiation, colors, topics, and sounds designed to catch our attention and captivate us develop an unhealthy addiction that we can’t seem to get rid of. It has an even worse impact on the kids and younger children.
The impacts of digital exposure on children
These days, children are having excessive digital exposure at a young age. When they are supposed to play outside with real toys and friends, they are given a screen to be busy and entertained. Whether it be TV, phone, or tablets, all of them are harmful and pose negative effects on little children.
Even the videos and other baby content are specifically made with the use of attractive visuals, sounds, and colors that keep children engaged and eventually turn into unhealthy addictions. Children unaware of the right and wrong acts irritating and stubborn get access to digital means. Parents should understand that acting upon their habits is not right and they should take essential steps towards digital detox for themselves as well as their children to be safe and free from any mental stress and issues.
Need for a digital detox
A digital detox is a break to refrain from using any digital device or internet to seek mental peace, focus on real social interactions, and enhance relationships with your family and friends. A digital detox can give you a quick and needed break, which will refresh your mind and give you a refreshed start to resume your physical and mental activities. Benefits of digital detox include:
- Reduced stress
- Improved mental clarity
- Better sleep schedule
- Better focus on things
- Healthy control of your attention and time.
- Improved emotional stability and well-being.
How to overcome anxiety and lead a healthy lifestyle
You can overcome anxiety by using common practices for self-improvement and mental stability. Here are many activities listed that you can use:
- Meditate regularly and perform mindfulness to improve mental strength and emotional well-being.
- Exercise and indulge in physical activities.
- Consume sugar and caffeine in limited amounts and try to avoid both as much as possible.
- Make a healthy sleeping schedule and follow it strictly.
- Limit your social media and internet devices to maintain mental peace and stability.
- Express yourself and talk about your feelings to a trusted person.
- Seek therapies and consult a psychiatrist if the symptoms persist.
Conclusion
In a world where everything is digitalized, it is common for everyone to use the internet for almost everything. While the evolving facilities and smart connections are good throughout the world, it is also a major concern that excessive dependency on the internet is harmful and affects the mental health of the users, causing anxiety, loss of focus, and many other issues. In this misery, you can take time out of your working schedule to have some peaceful time by taking a digital detox. You can schedule time for yourself and perform many activities for reflection and enjoyment. Balancing digital life with the real world is important for a healthy conscience and environment.
Hale Clinics provides comprehensive care for patients and serves the best treatments for their patients. Our expert healthcare providers are dedicated to offering you personalized care and effective consultations. Book a free consultation now.
FAQs
Q1: What is a digital detox?
Ans: A digital detox is a break to refrain from using any digital device or internet to seek mental peace, focus on real social interactions, and enhance relationships with your family and friends.
Q2: What are the benefits of a digital detox?
Ans: The benefits of digital detox are reducing stress, improved mental clarity, Better sleep schedule, better focus on things, etc.
Q3: How can a digital detox help reduce anxiety?
Ans: By limiting constant notifications, social media comparisons, and information overload, a digital detox helps you regain focus, improve emotional balance, and reduce anxiety.
Q4: How often should I do a digital detox?
Ans: You should make a routine of performing digital detox regularly. It can be weekly or monthly, as suitable to you, and limit your exposure to social media and other internet sources during this time.
Q5: How long should a digital detox last?
Ans: A digital detox can last from a few hours to a few days. You can start small with an evening of digital free time and extend it gradually.
