Offline is the new Luxury: Digital Detox
© Priscilla Du Preez
Like many other trends, the Digital Detox comes from the US, more specifically from Silicon Valley. Digital Detoxing basically refers to a period of time in which a person refrains from using electronic devices, in order to reduce stress and interact more with family and friends.
Digital Detox encompasses complete abstinence from any digital media and technical devices.
It obviously contains the waiver of Facebook, Twitter, e-Mails and the Internet all together. The duration of the cure is dependent on one-self and what goals you want to achieve with it. You can start a weekend and work your way up to weeks.
For many people it is probably inconceivable to live for three hours without a smartphone. In today´s society, we literally stick to our digital devices, write messages or watch TV. A study from 2016 estimates that people with smartphones tap, swipe and click on devices 2,617 times each day.
Lack of social skills, constant distraction, a shortened attention span and last but not least poor sleep habits are also the results of an overuse of technologies.
Generally speaking, a cure is something for everyone who feels a permanent urge to look at the smartphone.
Who needs a Digital Detox?
Digital Detoxing can be especially important for people who simply cannot log off from Social Media or who are bounded to digital devices. According to Ulrike Stöckle, nearly all age and profession groups participate in her digital detoxing seminars. From students, managing directors, human resource managers to young founders, the particpants vary.
A recent study from Bitkom shows that 77% of all working people are available in their spare time via smartphone and E-Mail. This can lead to a spiral in which you can no longer distinguish between work and private life and it also boosts consumption of media.
Where to start?
There are many ways to start a digital detoxing regimen, e.g. camps, which enjoy increasing popularity because you can start your digital detoxing in teams or groups together. www.thedigitaldetox.de offers different Camp-modules like Weekend-Camps, Power-Camps and Business-Camps. They all include different workshops, speeches about digital detoxing, workouts and cooking. Camp Breakout is especially designed for adults who search a place to escape.
If you are looking for a more luxurious and solitary escape, try offers from luxury wellbeing websites. Healing Hotels of the World is a good start. Offers here include e.g. a Digital Detox Journey to Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal or a stay at the Eremito, a modern-luxe monastery in Italy designed for quiet contemplation and the ultimate digital detox.
Ultimately, it does not have to be a luxury vacation to start digital detoxing.
Simply turning off the smartphone, computer or TV would be a good start. Do not rush and plan your way forward. Firstly, turn off your push-notifications, unsubscribe from unwanted email lists. Delete unnecessary apps that you do not use. Do not be tempted to check social media messages after 6 pm. Rather enjoy the moment without posting it on Instagram. Last but not least pick up a book, instead of an electronic device!
