You could be one screen detox away from a better mental state of being!
Smartphones, laptops and tablets are all fantastic in so many ways. Having access to constant streams of information and contact with friends and family is brilliant. However, they can be both a blessing and a curse.
Smartphones have a downside in that they distract you from the moment in time you currently are in, preventing you from seeing what is truly unfolding in front of you. It is no secret that anxiety and stress are born from being in a state of high pressure for an extended period of time, and when these moments of calmness are interrupted by your phone, filling you with overstimulation and distractions, tension can quickly build up.
Recent statistics show that "mental illness has trebled among young adults, affecting 30% of women aged 18 to 24, and has increased across the board among men and women under 55."
It's no surprise that the age group most affected by this surge in anxiety and uncertainty is the younger bracket, as these are the ones most likely to be addicted to their phones.
Social media and other apps on your phone have a way of creating this veil-like allusion of reality. By constantly showing you images and videos of people living different lives, it can make you feel like yours isn't good enough or you should be doing better. Giving up on the screen and re-establishing a healthy relationship with yourself may allow you to heal the problems that excessive scrolling and clicking have caused.
If your self-confidence is adversely affected by the videos you have watched, it may be beneficial to speak to a counsellor. They can help you to better understand yourself and for you to realise that you are more than good enough, as well as notice and enjoy the little things around you without having to seek validation from a screen.
How to enjoy the little things and take back control of your life?
When trying to give up the screen, you can take several different approaches. Start by making the conscious decision not to use your phone while doing certain things, like waiting for a train or bus, going to the toilet or eating a meal. Learn to make the best of the little pauses in life, and notice and focus on the quality of your breathing rather than overwhelming your mind with more scrolling and clicking. In doing this, you will reduce your levels of the stress hormone cortisol; this, in turn, improves your memory, alleviates your concentration and cognitive abilities as well as increases your creativity.
Another method you could consider is setting specific time frames in which you will detox from your screen, such as screenless Saturdays. Whether it's a day a week, an hour a day or a couple of days a month, it's still progress.
