Do you find it hard to quit looking at your smartphone? Have you ever felt exhausted even when you don’t exert that much? Do you feel like something is missing in your life, but you don’t know what?

If you answered yes to these questions, it is likely that you are experiencing symptoms of tech addiction. According to a paper by Primack published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, social media usage among young adults was directly linked to feelings of isolation.

Feelings of depression, anxiety, low energy levels, and, more importantly, a lack of satisfaction in life have also been associated with tech addiction. Most of us today are inseparable from our gadgets.

For those working desk jobs, you spend eight hours or more looking at a screen at work. You eat your meals while watching videos on your phone. You come back home and watch TV or binge-watch more youtube videos. You go to bed and still continue looking at your phone until you realize you only have four hours before your alarm rings.

The consequences of this lifestyle are serious enough to warrant a digital detox.

Challenge Societal Norms for A Transformative Experience

As a society, we never really decided to hit the breaks and ask ourselves if this lifestyle was normal. In fact, quite the opposite has happened. It is the tech-addicted life that has become the norm.

People who attempt to change the way they use tech get weird looks.

“Oh, you want to become a monk?”

“Are you following the advice of some spiritual guru?”

Anyone who has attempted to step away from the lifestyle has received such questions from friends and family. It feels like society exerts resistance on those trying to take a break. This is sad because taking a digital detox can be one of the most transformative experiences you have.

How, though? What really changes? Well, the experience differs from person to person, but there are some common benefits that are universally reported.

1. Your Sleep Gets Much Better

The most commonly reported benefit is in relation to your sleep. You start to observe your sleep patterns stabilizing. This is because your mind is able to unwind and prepare for sleep naturally. It is only in hindsight that you realize how severely an addiction to tech affects sleep.

Even if you aren’t sure about going on a full detox just yet, Mattress Verdict suggests leaving your mobile phone in another room when you go to sleep. They also recommend that you abstain from using your digital devices at least 2-3 hours before your usual bedtime.

2. Your Brain Fog Disappears

People who have tried going on a digital detox often report an increased sense of awareness about what they are doing with their lives.

You find a sort of mindfulness that stays with you. You begin to appreciate the beauty in your surroundings and no longer feel restless when you aren’t occupied for more than a few moments.

The brain fog that you never knew you had lifts, and you experience an amazing sense of mental clarity. Creativity comes easier, and you are able to focus for longer periods of time.

3. You Commit To Healthy Habits Easier

Going to the gym becomes something you look forward to rather than something you dread. You realize you have so much free time now due to no longer spending time doom-scrolling.

You feel like picking up that guitar you promised you would learn seven years ago. Even the textbook you bought to start learning Spanish starts to feel a little easier to understand.

A lot of the dry areas in life now feel new and interesting. Keep up the detox, and you are likely to not recognize your old, pre-detox self.

Conclusion

The decision to go on a digital detox is a personal one. It often stems from a growing dissatisfaction with the way you are living your life. However, why wait for things to get to that point?

Instead, take a close look at your life right now. Do you feel like tech is more in control of you than you are of it? If so, a digital detox may be just what you need.

Remember, the best results come when you go all the way. This means no peeking to see if anyone has sent you funny TikTok videos. Try to detox for a few days and see how it goes. When you start seeing the positive effects, you won’t be able to resist making more long-term changes in the way you interact with tech.