OUR days have revolved in technology. We check our social media networks upon waking up. We check it again, minute by minute, until we fall asleep. What seemed like a simple “networking” with acquaintances, friends, and strangers became the epicenter of our lives.
Our bags are now full of gadgets – cell phones, tablets, laptops. Our cars are accessorized with dash cams, GPS trackers and Bluetooth speakers. When there is no work, we usually just lie on our bed with a laptop on our belly. Get-togethers with friends are done just so we can have something to post on Facebook. Every new purchase is recorded in our Instagram Stories. And some people tell the most irrelevant things on Twitter.
We do not anymore control technology. Technology controls us. According to a study published on telegraph.co.uk, the average person checks their phone 200 times a day. If you do the math, that’s once every six and a half minutes. The study also showed that one in four people spend more time online than they do asleep. Our technology addiction came to a point where our physical, social, and mental health are compromised.
Do you sleep with your phone? Have you become unhealthy and lazy because you spend so much time on the internet? Can you still remember the last time you personally saw your family? Have you had a face-to-face talk with a friend during the past months?
Here are some of the best reasons why you need to log out of your social media accounts – otherwise known as digital detox:
- You will have time to reconnect with loved ones
Was Christmas the last time you saw your family? Do you still see your best friend, Mary?
One of the downsides of being a social media addict is not having enough time with your loved ones. You cannot even recall the last time you had wine with your friends. Clubbing is not even anymore in your dictionary. Although times have changed and you are not anymore that girl who shouts “Party over here!” every night, it is still good to have a get-together with your friends once in a while. And do your parents still know how you look? Visit them with a pack of coffee beans. They will surely appreciate the gesture.
- You can sleep better
Some people spend more time on social media than they do asleep. Do you still browse the Internet before you go to sleep? That’s probably one of the reasons why you are having a hard time dozing off. According to the National Sleep Foundation, light exposure fuels wakefulness. So do not be surprised if you have insomnia. Your phone needs to sleep. You should, too.
- You will become more productive
Stop cramming. Close all those social media accounts in your company PC and start working on your tasks. It’s also a good thing to stay away from your phone while working – except maybe if you’re expecting a call from a client or business partner. A digital detox will help you accomplish more.
- You can spend time with yourself
Some people are afraid to spend time alone. But being alone is different from being lonely. And being alone sometimes has really great effects on your mental being.
Website psychologytoday.com says spending time with yourself improves your creativity, concentration, and relationships.
“By spending time with yourself and gaining a better understanding of who you are and what you desire in life, you’re more likely to make better choices about who you want to be around. You also may come to appreciate your relationships more after you’ve spent some time alone,” it explains.
Further, a study conducted by emotional development expert Reed W. Larson in 1997 showed that alone time is beneficial for teenagers.
“Adolescents … who spent an intermediate amount of their time alone were better adjusted than those who spent little or a great deal of time alone,” the study found out.
It is a challenge to spend time alone. So why not challenge yourself? Who knows? You will learn more about your inner being and identify your desires in life.
Technology is not bad. In fact, it is helpful and educational. However, if your virtual world takes over your life, it is time to pause and probably take a step back. After all, reality is still what matters./PN
