Staying home during the pandemic was firstly, mandatory during lockdown, and secondly, helpful in keeping us safe from the risk of catching and spreading the COVID-19 virus. It also encouraged us to spend more time online. Between working from home, entertaining ourselves with the entire catalogue of shows and films on Netflix, and staying in touch with friends and family with the wonders of Zoom, we’re more digitally connected than ever. It’s basically indisputable that the use of smart devices has risen compared to the pre-pandemic period. In fact, research shows that video-conferencing apps have been downloaded 62 million times during the pandemic.
That’s a ridiculously large number.
Now, among the various other challenges that excessive digital use presents, a lot of the most common problems are health-related. For instance, prolonged screen exposure can result in visual impairment and spinal disorders. Other potential health issues include finger numbness and pain in the arms, eating orders and obesity, anxiety, and depression.
It’s clear that we absolutely need to do what we can to avoid becoming addicted to technology. The way to do this is to go on a digital detox.
Ways to successfully detox from technology
Just… Disconnect
We’re not asking you to turn into an instant Luddite. But you can start your detox by disconnecting from smart devices for short periods of time. Turn it into a mini technology fast. It can be scary at first, but a digital fast will force you to connect with yourself and others. And that can be pretty amazing.
Remove those pesky distractions
Fasting from technology involves turning it all off. We’re talking no alerts, no beeps, no buzzes, and no notifications of any kind. Okay, maybe voicemails for emergencies. But turn everything else off so that you can make better use of your time.
Do different things at home
Experiment with different activities at home as a family or individually, like spending time on a hobby, playing a board game with the family, trying a different recipe, or enjoying story time with the kids.
Always ask ‘why’ before you go digital
More often than not, we use technology to distract, avoid, or ignore whatever’s happening in front of us. So, to avoid these pitfalls ask yourself why you’re reaching for your device. This way, you can be intentional about your digital usage.
Step up your protection
1 of the rare benefits of having your device on you the whole time is that you kind of always know where it is. When you get the hang of detoxing from your digital tools and can maintain that balance in your life, you’ll find that you might not always have as firm a grip on these items as you’d like. It’s far better to have insurance to keep them covered against accidental damage and theft when they’re out of sight. By protecting these items, you can give yourself peace of mind that frees you to maintain your balance with technology.
There are a range of products available that you can look at, like this R1 insurance policy for your golf clubs, or this cellphone insurance policy that gives you 3 options (with 3 different price points) or even this super affordable portable possessions cover for your laptops and tablets.
Once you’ve got the right cover, you can head off and enjoy an entire activity without being obsessed with checking your phone’s every buzz and ping.
Posted in partnership with King Price Insurance
