How to Do a Digital Detox

Screens follow us everywhere. It used to be that computers had a whole room to themselves, and you were only "plugged in" when you went to that room, sat down, waited a couple of minutes for the computer to start, and then logged into your web browser and spent five minutes loading each page on the internet. Now, not only do we carry computers with us everywhere, but the constant flow of information at high-speed internet available wherever we go can make it hard to stop scrolling; there are no more natural breaks to get up and leave the internet to rejoin the physical world. Understandably, many of us are searching for ways to do a "digital detox," to take some time to step away from our online world, smell the fresh-cut grass, and rebalance our lives. But the necessities of the modern world ensure that a full unplug isn't always possible, so here are some ways to digital detox without fully detaching yourself from the world.

Set Aside Time Every Day

The dream of a digital detox is living a life alone in a wooded cabin, communing with nature, and reconnecting with the natural world around us, but sadly, that isn't available to most of us. Even Henry David Thoreau had his mom do his laundry, so disconnecting entirely from the modern world is neither possible nor completely healthy. Try something like this: rather than disconnecting for days at a time, try setting aside some time every day to recharge yourself instead of your phone. Whether this is a half-hour during your lunch break, an hour when you get home, or the last few hours before bedtime, try putting your phone on silent, staying away from screens, and appreciating the physical world around you. It may be for a short time, but setting aside consistent time can help ground you in your world rather than being lost in the constant, roiling sea of information.

Read a Book Before Bed

One of our greatest temptations in the modern world is the call of the infinite scroll. Whatever your social media of choice, it is designed to keep you scrolling with a constant deluge of information, entertainment, and advertisement. After a long day, many of us get settled into our beds, plug in our phones, and "decompress" by scrolling through our phones for hours on end. While this gives momentary pleasure, looking at our screens in bed can keep us up for hours without a natural breaking point to go to bed. If you want to unplug before bedtime, try reading a physical book. They may seem archaic in our screen-based world, but reading a book in bed is a great way to relax at the end of the day. They're also filled with natural stopping points at the end of each chapter, allowing you to set it aside, turn off the reading light, and get some Zs in. Nature Made® Wellblends™ Sleep & Recover™ Gummies provide 3 benefits in 1 blend with ingredients powered by science. Get L-theanine to help you unwind by calming your mind, Magnesium to help relax your body, and 3 mg of Melatonin to help you fall asleep faster and support restful sleep in two tasty gummies.†

Take a Walk in Nature

One of the best ways to unplug and reconnect with the physical world is by taking some time to walk out in nature. Whether it's a walk around your local park or a longer hike up a trail with friends, taking in the beauty of our natural world can help put things in perspective and pull us from the constant distractions following us around. Surrounding yourself with an environment more interesting than your phone makes it a lot easier to disconnect and live in the moment. Taking a hike is also a great excuse to connect with friends. Though many of our friendships are now maintained digitally, meeting up with the people we love and experiencing nature can bring us closer together and remind us that our friends aren't just images on our screen but real, breathing people who are fun to hang around with.

Limit Optional Screentime

Many of us have to work with computers every day, and our bosses probably won't be too happy if we tell them we're "unplugging" for the week, so we can't make that meeting. While a lot of screen time is unavoidable, so much of our entertainment is on screens as well. Unplugging doesn't necessarily mean you can't watch your favorite shows anymore, but screens are often the first resort when there are plenty of other options. Try setting a day or two during the week where you avoid turning in your screens for entertainment once you get home from work (or, on a day off, all day!). You might be surprised by what other unplugged activities you can find without the ability to default to social media or video games! Pull out an old board game to play with your family, watch the bird feeder from the porch, or play fetch with your dog, all wonderful ways to relax without a screen. And if you want to help protect your retina from the blue light emitted by the screens you can't avoid, check out Nature Made® Lutein & Zeaxanthin Gummies.†

Bottom Line

Completely "unplugging" from the World Wide Web may be an impossible task, but that doesn't mean you can't find some relief by setting aside time and activities to ground yourself in the natural world we live in. Focus on what matters to your daily life: the family, friends, environment, and activities you love. And when you've completed your "digital detox," you'll be refreshed and ready to tackle whatever challenges you may face in our fast-moving, all-connected world!

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.