In a world full of apps, tech, computers and more, we spend so much of our time in front of a screen. While access to information can make our lives easier and help us get tasks done more quickly, a digital life isn’t always healthy. Today we’re sharing some digital detox ideas for students, and they actually work…
Create tech-free study sessions
When studying, it’s so easy to get distracted – whether you’ve got a YouTube video or podcast on, or you’re itching to check your Instagram notifications. Challenge yourself to have some proper tech-free study sessions, and see if it helps. While you might still want music on (a smart speaker would be best for this if you have one), try putting your phone in another room or even turning it off. This means you simply can’t check your messages! And even better, see if you can study the old-fashioned way: just books, pens and paper. By avoiding your laptop you’ll have to really concentrate on what you’re reading, and you can make notes about the things that resonate with you. Give it a go!
Social media time limits
Apps like TikTok and Instagram are designed to keep you scrolling, because that’s how they make money. This is why it can be so easy to get lost in your phone, and many of us lose hours each day just scrolling. While you don’t have to delete the apps entirely, it might be worth setting yourself a time limit – apps like StayFree and OneSec can actually set physical limits on how much social media you’re using. Treat ‘scroll time’ like a reward rather than a habit, so you get to have a bit of social media time after you’ve done everything else you need to do.
Start your day with no phone
Invest in a physical alarm clock, or use your smart speaker, and you’ll have absolutely no need to reach for your phone the moment you wake up. This means you’re able to settle into your day before being bombarded with information, news, notifications and blue light. Keep your phone on your desk or in your bag, and make a concentrated effort not to use it within the first hour of waking up. Shower, eat, exercise, read, get ready for the day… do something else before you start scrolling!
Find screen-free activities you love
Our phones are great for giving us a dopamine boost – that’s why so many of us are ‘addicted’ to them. But if you can find activities that don’t involve tech but give you that same feeling, it’ll be so much better for you. Whether you learn to crochet, find a love for hiking, take up scrapbooking or get better at cooking, there is so much you can do that doesn’t involve looking at a screen.
A digital detox doesn’t have to be a big deal; a lot of the time, it’s about intentionally building habits to replace the old ones, and reducing screen time to ensure you’re taking a break from blue light exposure and reducing your levels of stress and anxiety. This can help to boost productivity and strengthen your in-person relationships, too!
