According to statistics, there are approximately 4.7 billion social media users worldwide. Today’s world is digitally driven, making it harder to detach from devices. For most people, it’s where they buy their food, read the news, play games, make plans and work, suggesting that life in contemporary society has become totally reliant on technology. It’s also been reported that the daily average time people spend on their phones is an astonishing 3 hours and 15 minutes, with most individuals checking their phones at least 58 times a day.
As online (and social media) addiction becomes more prevalent, so do the perils that come with a society that is quite literally obsessed with phones, tablets and laptops. Many experts now argue that an occasional detox from electronics is essential. Ensuring that you give yourself time away from the screen is particularly important for those gambling at online casinos. For instance, in moments when you suffer several back-to-back defeats and tilting seems inevitable, getting some fresh air is often the best medicine to reset your mind, learn from your mistakes and come back stronger.
What Is a Digital Detox?
A digital detox is the process of detaching yourself from technology. Yes, from all of it — including television. Similar to a diet detox such as a juice cleanse or fasting, the aim is to cleanse your body from the stresses it endures as part of what it means to live in a technological society; to clear your mind and nurture you back to a happy and healthy mental state.
Sadly, studies have shown a clear correlation between, on the one hand, access to and the use of the internet and, on the other hand, the mental health of users. Formulated differently, the more digital users, the more mental health cases there are. Looking after your body and mind should be your top priority. Otherwise, you risk suffering from depression, anxiety and a lack of self-confidence. But, if you feel yourself experiencing the perils of digitalization, fear not, there’s a whole range of digital detox programs out there that offer a mental health cleanse.
The same applies to playing casino table games online. A common theme among gamblers experiencing a run of bad luck is that they start doubting their every move or they become so unmotivated that they never play again. This is why it’s important to remember that it’s unrealistic to expect to win every round and that everyone loses now and then, even the best among the professionals. Rather, unplug from the game for a short while, “detox” your mind from self-doubt and use these moments as opportunities for self-reflection and to analyze where you went wrong in order to make sure it doesn’t happen again — until it does, of course. But that’s just life.
Health Benefits and How To Detox
From improved sleep and enhanced productivity to reducing stress and anxiety, the list of digital detox benefits is impressive.
Improved Sleeping
The blue light from screens can harm your sleeping pattern, disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle and reduce both the quantity and quality of sleep. Simply put, your mind may struggle to turn off when you’ve been looking at screens for too long.
Generally speaking, you can improve your sleeping significantly by implementing a number of simple tactics, such as turning off your notifications after work or leaving your phone downstairs before going to bed.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Among teenagers and young adults, social media is becoming the primary cause of stress and anxiety. By setting time locks on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, you can detach yourself from the consuming world of social media. A more extreme form of detox would amount to deleting the apps for several weeks.
For workaholics, staying away from your phone after work can be tedious, as you feel you have to be available 24/7. Try setting boundaries such as turning off your phone for a couple of hours after work or disabling notifications. It’s crucial to have some time away from the office to focus on yourself.
From high heart rate and blood pressure to more severe cases such as heart attack and stroke, there are many negative symptoms associated with stress and anxiety. By sticking to a consistent detox plan, you can limit the chances of these happening to you.
Improved Productivity
More often than not, the excessive amount of information that comes from surfing the internet and scrolling through social media can over-exert people’s minds and limit attention spans, causing a decrease in one’s capacity to concentrate.
In order to ensure high levels of productivity without too many distractions, try leaving your phone, tablet and television in another room — even if only for a while. And if you’re working from a laptop, have only the relevant applications and websites open.
Greater Presence of Mind
Even when people find themselves in beautiful locations, such as the Caribbean, a common theme is that they remain over-consumed by their devices and that they’re not present in the moment. You can avoid this by leaving your phone at home when engaged in an activity such as hiking or walking. You can also limit the amount of time you use your devices daily. The positive outcome of this can be that you create long-lasting memories with your loved ones while rejuvenating the body and mind by being present in the moment.
Are There Any Downsides?
For those pursuing professional careers, being offline may hinder your reputation as not being “totally committed” and may cause you to miss important calls or emails. Then there are social consequences, such as missing the chance to make spontaneous and last-minute plans with your loved ones.
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