Digital Detox | Fairygodboss

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Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/18/21 at 3:15AM UTC

Career

Digital Detox

I think it is okay to digital detox every once in a while. Do you digital detox? If so, what are some reasons and benefits of a digital detox? One reason for me is to get a good night's sleep. I read an article that digital detox retreats are key to their success for Executives.

43 Comments

Chre M. Davis, M.S.Ed.

622

Administrator | Educator | Intrapreneur

01/18/21 at 5:32AM UTC

I don't do this often enough!!

2 Replies

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/18/21 at 11:47PM UTC

It can be challenging and addictive. I couldn't live without my digital devices nor the World Wide Web, but we must know when a detox is needed and to simply do just that.

Sarah Bartley

107

Front-end Web Developer

01/25/21 at 6:34PM UTC

Same here! I don't do this enough either. Last year I was getting into the habit of doing this more. It is a bit tougher since I do lots of web development, but one of my goals for this year is to continue finding a way to have more of a balance so I'm not always on certain devices.

Amy Carothers

483

Brand Marketing and Publishing Manager

01/18/21 at 6:07AM UTC

I unplug and deliberately detox while on vacation. Before leaving, I follow up to make sure everything is in order so I'm not stressing. Everything else can wait until I return and I arrange back up for any pressing issues. For that time period, I enjoy being away and from constantly checking my phone. Now more than ever, even for a day off, I love shutting down, getting outside or indulging in my favorite hobbies. Heading back to work, I feel recharged and that I had downtime away from the screen.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 3:48AM UTC

Awesome

Katrina McNair

2.69k

Site Director and Online Educator

01/19/21 at 1:32PM UTC

Hello Shanita, I have difficulty detoxing for my digital devices. I enjoy them so much and I'm easily connected to the world as well as easy access to my documents. So I'm not always running to my computer. Then I can always talk to family members whenever I want too. I have always been this way since the advancement of technology for devices. The only way I'm able to disengage is by sleeping or going to a place that don't have access to wifi. Sincerely, Katrina

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 3:53AM UTC

The older I have gotten, I refuse to glamorize constant busyness. I enjoy my devices and couldn't live without them nor the internet. Although, I take some time to log off from social media and get my task done to enjoy other moments. My suggestion is to ensure you can disengage when with loved ones, especially if on a date. Some find it annoying to be on a date, and their date is continuously texting or engaging in other conversations via the internet and apps that are non-emergency related.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 3:55AM UTC

1 Reply

Katrina McNair

2.69k

Site Director and Online Educator

01/20/21 at 11:55AM UTC

I do take time away from my devices for family time and when I am dating. I just feel to connected to my devices when their is no one to talk too. It's one way I keep myself preoccupied. Thank you for your advice.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 11:18PM UTC

Great, I know with times such as these times, considering a pandemic, digital devices are probably what's getting a lot of us by. The key is balance.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 3:56AM UTC

1 Reply

Molly Trucano

01/19/21 at 8:51PM UTC

I have been really trying this lately! I look inside my journals from years past and I'm always talking about how I want to look at my phone less. It's like a tic--uncontrollable, and soon enough I've lost an hour. I've been really intentional about my social media usage this past year. I've deleted all the apps off my phone, and now just use it on my desktop for really limited amounts of time. Putting books from my library on my phone has been a great way of detoxing--if I'm looking at my phone, at the very least I'm reading a book while I do it. Going for a walk without my phone or music has been really helpful during the pandemic. I'm hoping that I can keep doing this throughout the post-pandemic world, too.

2 Replies

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 3:54AM UTC

Awesome

Michaela Clint

New to Baltimore/DC

01/20/21 at 2:34PM UTC

I listen to podcasts now when I walk!

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/21/21 at 12:33AM UTC

Awesome, what a great way to exercise and learn or listen at the same time.

Amanda Campbell

109

Controller/Compliance/Auditor in Quad Cities

01/19/21 at 9:04PM UTC

I make it a point to stop looking at my phone after 8 pm, at the latest. I do not have alerts on after that, except for vibration on calls and texts. NO emails, NO Facebook, etc.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 4:07AM UTC

That is great. When boredom strikes many may find it entertaining to chat or browse social media. I never advise turning phones off at night, especially for those whom may live alone and have family else where.

Kimberly Moon

128

Clinical Research Professional

01/19/21 at 9:37PM UTC

Yes! I try to do this at least once per year. I detach from all social media, online news, etc. I cut down on texting and only check emails a few times a week (personal emails, not work emails). For me, I find that surfing the internet and scrolling through social media often lead me to feel anxious and waste a lot of time. The benefits for me have been decreased anxiety, more positive outlook on life, increased productivity, better sleep, and feeling like a better person all around.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 4:39AM UTC

That's great. With an ongoing pandemic, it's really hard not to depend upon the comfort from engaging with digital devices, especially binge-watching Netflix shows. Digital devices are what has gotten many through what they consider to be lonely times. Finding balance is the key.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 4:19AM UTC

1 Reply

Kimberly Moon

128

Clinical Research Professional

01/20/21 at 7:21PM UTC

I agree! It is so difficult right now when lack of technology could leave us feeling isolated. It is a balancing act!

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 11:19PM UTC

Absolutely

Kim Roffey

104

Experienced strategist and consultant

01/19/21 at 9:55PM UTC

I find the digital world to be very addictive -- if I don't stay conscious of it, I can easily lose hours of a day by watching news headlines or mindlessly following social media feeds. For me, when I have priorities that need to get done, I limit my web browsing to specific times during the day only (e.g. I can read headlines first thing and after dinner, but not in between). I also limit my apps on certain devices. For example, I do have an ipad for reading by my bed. To keep it that way, I don't allow social media apps on that device. But I'm honestly watching the responses here because it is a hard thing to really detox given how immersive digital has become in our lives!

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/21/21 at 12:34AM UTC

Awesome and I agree, it is kind of hard considering social limitations.

Ainslie Binder

Innovative Executive Producer

01/19/21 at 10:01PM UTC

I don't have any issues sleeping, but my husband does. Interestingly, he's the one who keeps his phone on and plugged in in the bedroom, while I turn mine off and charge it overnight on a different floor. He tries to do a digital detox every night, but is often on his phone when he shouldn't be!

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 4:23AM UTC

Hello Ainslie. Honestly, I would never recommend powering the phone off, due to emergencies and family. I would always recommend having a phone nearby just in case of an emergency. That would irritate me if my husband was being on the phone at bedtime for non-emergency purposes.

User edited comment on 01/20/21 at 4:23AM UTC

1 Reply

Ainslie Binder

Innovative Executive Producer

01/20/21 at 3:10PM UTC

We still have a land line right next to the bed!

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 11:20PM UTC

That will do it.

Lynnette Phillips

Coach to those developing their Inner CEO

01/19/21 at 10:03PM UTC

Yes I absolutely digital detox. I will delete the apps to give me the opportunity to be intentional if I am logging on to LinkedIn through the browser. I also focus on the benefits of the detox. What can I experience the time back. How can I connect with my family and business given less distractions. I also set the intention that I am not missing out but rather leaning in to my own needs and self care which is why I am detoxing to begin with.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/25/21 at 12:36AM UTC

Hello Lynnette, awesome. Hope you have a happy day.

Rachel Masters McNair

Social media specialist/ CEO of Syndesi Online

01/19/21 at 10:52PM UTC

Watching the documentary “the social dilemma” on Netflix helped drive me to be more intentional about my time away not just from social media, but the time I spend on my phone. I drastically changed the notifications I receive and put limits on my most time consuming apps. My phone usage has dropped 50%! This has helped with my anxiety, with my sleep, with productivity, and with relationships. The news as of lately has been toxic to say the least and the drama of that wasn’t good for my mental health. I’ve learned that is a priority.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 11:37PM UTC

Do not get me wrong, I think the innovation of technology is valuable. The objective is knowing when to and understanding the benefits of digital detoxing. It is good to keep up with current events. I certainly understand your concern with anxiety. So much has been going on lately in the news. The riots, pandemic, police brutality, and what happened at The Capitol. In the midst of it all, you are entitled to take a break from all the bad news.

Julie S.

I'm an engineer doing environmental compliance.

01/20/21 at 1:54AM UTC

It's great to get outdoors and replace some digital time for vitamin D time. I haven't done a full detox from all devices, but I have had some days of limiting certain things (TV, social media) and only checking my email in the evening after being outdoors all day. Great for our mental health, gives our bodies and eyes a break from the strain.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/20/21 at 11:52PM UTC

I agree.

Priyanka Pakki

201

01/20/21 at 1:36PM UTC

I would love to do digital detox for a day. But how do you do that? I am connected to the world on my phone. If I have to go outdoors, I need my phone for my maps. If I have to check weather, I need my phone. Any advise here please?

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/21/21 at 4:32AM UTC

You have to find what works best for you. For some, it may be that they are strolling via social media for hours, which could be a distraction if strolling too long. You have to find balance. For some, it could be staying up late binge-watching a show, considering the fact that he or she has worked at 8:00 AM. I believe digital detox is to alleviate stress and the need to interact with family and friends without being connected to the internet. A benefit would be to get more physical for some, although there are still ways to be connected and exercise. It also depends on your goal. For instance, do you need to get a good night's sleep? If so, I wouldn't allow phone calls or texts after certain hours unless it is an emergency. Digitally is the only way many can keep in contact with friends and family.

CJB62

01/20/21 at 2:30PM UTC

I need to do this but it is difficult. Curious among those that live alone if their social media usage has increased-since the pandemic-mine has. Being unable to see friends and family because of social distancing, lockdown restrictions and working from home, my phone and computer has been a lifeline to the outside world. I try to get outside when I can but the constant January rain makes that difficult.

Anonymous

01/20/21 at 2:31PM UTC

I have done it before and need to do it again! I already have trouble sleeping at night, so being on my phone right before going to sleep does not help. I also did it, or at least tried to, for a couple of months because I found social media made my anxiety worse. But now, I can't quit Netflix! Hahah

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/21/21 at 4:40AM UTC

The question is, are you getting things done? Binge-watch Netflix often, but I am getting my task completed and goals accomplished. The problem I had is that I didn't want to go to sleep a few nights, I wanted to binge watch TWD The Walking Dead for the third time. I work full-time, I am a student, and of course, a VIP expert here, on top of managing my household and personal matters. It finally caught up with me, yet I was still hard-headed. I suffered from sleep deprivation. All of my tasks were completed, including cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and school assignments. The issue was I needed to get some rest because I was a walking zombie at the grocery store. I was halfway asleep at self-checkout. So my advice is, even though we may get things done, but always take the time to rest and disconnect before you crash.

User edited comment on 01/27/21 at 4:27AM UTC

Jean Neuhart

For A Day Your Heart Will Never Forget!

01/20/21 at 3:57PM UTC

I rarely digital detox and unplug. Really need to work on that.

Michele Hope

01/20/21 at 4:21PM UTC

My company has a "focus time" for 90 mins every day where we are encouraged to turn off email and just focus on work. For some employees that means turning away from the computer completely and just looking at engineering drawings, what a luxury!

Maria Paula Calvo

Senior Exec and Board Director globally

01/20/21 at 4:59PM UTC

Talking about "digital detox" reminds me of the so common references to "digital transformation". It looks like we are putting the "digital" in front of everything around us. However,, detoxing yourself has been a good practice long before this so strong digital age and many senior executives as well as wise people in different areas have adopted practices like that over the years. I personally strongly recommend that from time to time you reserve some slots (hours, days) for you to find with your innerself, review where you are, re-think where you want to take your life to, relax and re-energyze. The sole fact of isolating yourself for a bit is already rewarding and self-empowering!

Anonymous

01/20/21 at 11:12PM UTC

I love a good digital detox every Sunday, that's MY day.

1 Reply

Shanita Taylor

289

Author, Leadership Certified & Life Coach

01/25/21 at 12:35AM UTC

Hello, nice and good for you.

Cinzia Iacovelli

473

Marketing Project Manager, Digital Events

01/23/21 at 2:55PM UTC

I'm really into digital detox. I started leaving a lot of FB groups, unfollowing toxic people on social media and unsubscribing from a lot of newsletters. The trick is focusing of what it has a real value to me and spend my time better. Like for example adding my comments here on FGB :)

User edited comment on 01/23/21 at 2:57PM UTC