Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Do A Digital Detox

Technological innovation and digital disruption have turned the earth into a global village. More than five billion population in the world is connected to the internet. For people of all age groups with no exception to even young children, being online and using social media have become an integral part of live. We see that people around the world are glued to their computer screens or smartphones for hours together which can have a negative impact on their mental and physical well-being. Many studies have found that this over-reliance on digital technology has the potential to exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression, disturbing sleep patterns, leading to cyber-bullying and distorting body image. The recent pandemic outbreak has pushed the world into lockdown which has eventually led to maladaptive patterns of Internet and screen use that may adversely affect mental health.

So, with the excessive use of smartphones, laptops, tablets, and wireless Internet, the idea of digital detox has become increasingly popular. Making time and space for a regular digital detox is crucial for people of all ages. However, digital detoxing is more important for children and teens as their brains are still developing. Most importantly, they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of technology on the body and nervous system

What Is a Digital Detox?

A digital detox is a period of time during which a person refrains from using any electronic gadgets connected to the Internet, such as desktops, laptops, and smartphones. Moreover, a digital detox is an excellent opportunity to reduce stress and detach from the virtual world. It can also help prevent addiction to gadgets.

The main advantage of a digital detox is you get time to connect with nature, get physical exercise, and practice mindfulness.

Reasons why you should Do a Digital Detox?

No one denies the fact that electronic devices have become the quintessential part of our lives as they have simplified our living in many ways. However, when we spend more time online, we have less time to spend doing real-world activities that we enjoy. Moreover, we have less time to spend with the people in our lives. As a result, our relationships may suffer.

Furthermore, research is been conducted to establish reports on how online activity and digital media consumption are affecting both mental and physical health. Experts opine that spending too much time online can have real dangers. So, here are the reasons why you should do a digital detox.

Social Media Addiction May Lead To Depression And Anxiety In Teenagers

There is a lot of research going on to expose the correlation. In a study conducted by the researchers, they found that the teenagers addicted to online presence had significantly higher scores in depression, anxiety, insomnia, and impulsive behavior. They also found that frequent use of social media leads to increased depression as it encourages teens to compare themselves to others. Hence, social media addiction has a negative impact on their self-esteem.

Online Gaming Disorder Is Now a Mental Health Condition

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently classified gaming disorder as a mental health condition. Experts have identified that gaming disorder is similar to other addictions, such as gambling addiction or substance abuse. A study conducted by American Psychiatric Association found that certain pathways in the brains of online video gamers react exactly in the way that a drug addict’s brain reacts to a particular substance. This disorder is characterized by an uncontrollable obsession with video gaming. The WHO points out the increased rate of addiction towards online gaming in younger adults. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of digital detoxing as a way to avoid addiction in the younger group. The idea of disconnecting from the digital world gives the nervous system a chance to reboot and rebalance.

Excessive Use Of Digital Media Is Linked To ADHD

According to a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, it was found that those who used digital media frequently were two times more likely to develop symptoms of ADHD. Impulse behavior is one of the major symptoms of ADHD and this impulse control is managed by the brain’s frontal cortex. Brain-imaging research has shown that excessive use of digital media can affect the frontal cortex that might trigger ADHD. Hence, it is inferred that screen time catalyzes such compulsive and erratic behaviors.

More Screen Time Directly Proportional To Less Physical Activity And Less Time Outdoors

Along with the negative effects of digital media itself, excessive screen time may affect our physical wellbeing and eventually cause lifestyle disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and many more. We end up sitting for long periods of time in front of laptops, computers, or other electronic gadgets; we are more likely to become obese, according to a Harvard study.

In addition, screen time has replaced many healthier activities. People find only fewer hours in the day for activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, or walking in nature, or outdoor games, to name a few. Moreover, erratic use of digital media prevents us from embarking on our own creative expression. That’s a downside for children and teens because creative expression is an important part of identity formation and brain development.

Conclusion: Multiple studies have shown that using your smartphone can lead to addiction, depression straining of the eyes and neck, loss of focus and concentration, and a plethora of lifestyle-related issues. Hence it is important to take a break from the digital world from time to time to revitalize yourselves. However, if you find yourself or your loved ones being engaged in too much screen time, and not finding ways to get out of it, you may take the help of a psychotherapist. Psychotherapy Partners can help you solve such behavioral issues with the best treatment strategies.