Digital detox: back to live reality!
Digital technologies are gradually creating a virtual copy of the real world in all the diversity of its institutions and signs. Governments and libraries have become electronic, banks and media - digital, shops and money - virtual, dating and love relationships - online.
Gadgets have completely filled our lives, not accompanying us except perhaps only in our sleep. And even then... But the digital age has generated new addictions and fears.
For example, nomophobia, when people are terrified of being left... without a mobile phone. And the pandemic has only intensified the process of moving people’s lives from the real world to the virtual space, further tying everyone to the Internet.
This makes the need for a digital detox, which is understood as a conscious, voluntary refrain of a person for a certain period of time from using the Internet, gadgets and other digital devices in order to, being disconnected from the virtual world and information flow, immerse himself in the real communication, creativity or work.
Temporary digital isolation ideas are getting louder across the planet. Some countries, such as the United States, even have National Day of Unplugging when people don’t use computers to do other things.
On the wave of mass fatigue from numerous digital screens, a new type of tourism began to develop - specialized digital-detox programs, built on the principle of out-of-town recreation in cottages or campgrounds without access to the network. Popular digital-detox tours program includes yoga, meditation, sightseeing of natural beauty and philosophical lectures. Sometimes tourists are offered to deposit their smartphones in exchange for a guide to survival without gadgets.
The regular need for digital detox leads to media asceticism - a lifestyle with an optimal balance between the real and the virtual. Media asceticism means the desire to reasonably limit your time on the Internet, which is why it is also called digital abstinence.
This is a way of life in which people do not deny the importance of the latest communication tools and Internet technologies, but at the same time they do not hang on the Internet every free minute. Digital asceticism (self-restraint in the use of mobile phones, instant messengers, social networks, etc.) helps to concentrate on the important things, see the world with a fresh look and make discoveries inside and outside.
Speaking about the benefits of digital detox, sociologists advise to take your eyes off the screen to notice how the trees turn green, how different people around you are, what interesting discussions are held by the colleagues. Instead of flipping through your Instagram before bed, start reading a paper book. During a work break, do a warm-up and exercises for the eyes. While on transport or at breakfast, put your phone aside to think about your plans for the day or people you haven’t seen for a long time.
Hanging on the Internet is often compared to food. As long as you cook various delicious meals and eat moderately, there is no problem. But with the advent of excess weight, shortness of breath and health problems, you will probably think about diet and sport. A similar situation is developing with the consumption of digital information, so it is reasonable to periodically go on a “virtual diet”.
If you cannot completely give up gadgets, you can take one day breaks. For example, plan a Saturday and devote it to pleasant activities not related to the Internet, calls and instant messengers. Alternatively, you can practice fasting hours every day. For example, an hour at home on social media is better to spent for a bike ride or walking the dog.
Digital technologies and the Internet have created ample opportunities for communication with a person anywhere in the world, but this virtual communication cannot replace live contact with family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, classmates, etc.
It is live communication, especially with like-minded people, that famous writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry had in mind when he stated: “The only luxury I know is the luxury of human communication”.
The wisdom of these words was especially clearly shown by the coronavirus pandemic with its tough lockdowns and social isolation, which negatively affected people’s mental health.
When it ends, people will return to the happiness of close communication with real hugs and handshakes, collective picnics in nature, massive sporting and creative competitions, performances and concerts and many other true pleasures of the real world.
