Digital Detox Routine

With the increase of AI and an influx of content, scrolling can lead you into some topics, conversations, and visuals that may include watching human beings that are solely made up of 0s and 1s. One may say now, more than ever, is the best time to have a digital detox routine. If you aren’t mindful, social media and streaming platforms can influence your mindset and view of life. Here are a few ways to stop scrolling and get the most out of your time online.

Watch what you watch and why? What benefits are you gaining from the content you consume? It’s one thing to seek out information or even entertainment from time to time but it’s totally different to scroll due to avoidance or boredom. Understanding why you're scrolling assists in reducing the amount of watch time incurred on a daily basis. If you are able to identify the benefits of being online you may find the value it brings. On the same note, if you can’t identify any benefits, considering other (healthier) activities may be necessary. Be intentional about what you watch and why.

Replace scrolling for 'in real life' activities. It’s so easy to pick up a phone, open an app, and commence to venturing off into someone else’s virtual world. Too often, many are escaping their reality for one that belongs to a stranger even if those strangers happen to be celebrities or internet influencers—they are still people you don't personally know. Begin discovering the beauty in your own world, in your own life. This goes for cinema and television as well; an individual may seek comfort in watching someone else do what they desire to do. The key to this is starting where you are; make a list of those dreams and aspirations, then find ways to experience those dreams in real life. For example, you may not have a partner to have hashtag relationship goals right now, but what about the relationship you have with yourself and those around you. Create experiences in real life and watch them flourish.

Journal. Journaling is a way for you to unlock your inner world and discover the beauty within. Again, many people scroll due to boredom or avoidance which this leads to scrolling becoming a habit.  Journaling is a way to tap into yourself and reset. It’s a way to awaken creativity and ideas. And it's also a tool to help break the habit of scrolling without purpose.

As you begin to limit screen time and build activities outside of the world wide web, you are better able to create a routine that holistically supports you as a human being. Let’s be honest, the beauty in life is not in a handheld device, it is found in the day-to-day wonders of relationships, nature, connectivity, and within.

LifeWork

Based on this article, set aside at least 10 minutes to consider the following:

• What are one to three reasons you scroll online?

• Has scrolling become a habit for you? do you find yourself pickingup your phone for one thing then find yourself scrolling for no reason?

• What are some 'in real life' activities you can do instead of scrolling?

• Be sure to journal your experience.

---