I was feeling a little stressed, as though media had taken over my life. Between fake news and fear based programming on TV, the perceived need to carry and attend to a personal phone and a work phone, a computer, a laptop, an iPad, social media, and view certain programs on TV, I decided I had enough and didn’t want to do it anymore. I needed a break from media.
Just like I was purging unhealthy foods from my body, I decided it was time to purge things in my life that were stressing me out, weren’t for my betterment or serving the person I wanted to be. I asked myself if carrying two phones around, watching junk on TV, surfing emails or scanning social media was really serving me in a positive way and moving me forward in my life and the answer was not only no, but HELL NO!
I decided that it was time to disconnect and do a media detox. I unplugged myself for a full weekend. I notified those who might miss me if I didn’t promptly reply to them that I would not be available on my phone, computer, laptop, iPad, IPhone or any other media related electronic device for a full weekend – starting Friday at 4pm till Monday at 5am.
The responses I received from friends and loved ones were all over the map. My mother asked how she would contact me if there was an emergency. One of the 20 year old guys at work asked what I would do if I needed directions or wanted to listen to music? (I admit I hadn’t totally thought through the no music thing.) Even one of my dates asked me how we’d get in contact if plans changed. Others encouraged me and said “good for you!”
Disconnecting was one of the best things I did for myself in a long while. Not only did prove to myself that I could do it, I came out the other side better from the experience.
Here’s what I did during my short media detox:
First, I replaced the time in front of my electronic devices with different/fun activities. Among other things I did the following:
*Went to a concert, danced and listened to live music
*Went to the lake with a friend (and my dog) to paddle board
*Went for a long walk in nature with my dog and listened to the birds and breeze
*Read a book (the whole thing, cover to cover)
*Walked to a friends house and shared in good conversation and a cup of tea
*Cooked a lovely meal
*I did an non-stop hour of journaling (several times over the course of the weekend)
*Meditated in silence
*I hand wrote a heart felt letter to a friend
*Slept like a baby
*I disengaged from the drama
*I didn’t feel any urgency to pick up any of those devices or turn on the TV all weekend
*I laughed more
What I learned from the experience:
I discovered that I had more time for myself and those I love. I was less anxious and stressed. I was in a better mood overall and felt more happiness and joy. I was in the flow of life without being in the chaos. I was more present in the moment. I more thoroughly enjoyed some of my hobbies. I found it easier to calm my mind and relax. I was able to think more clearly and with that clarity I was able to make some difficult decisions that I was previously unable to make. I slept great! I felt more at peace as well as feeling like the media detox improved my relationships. And it didn’t feel like I missed a darn thing (no FOMO).
The biggest revelation of all, as silly and obvious as it sounds, is that I realized that going forward, I need to do more of the things that make me feel good, and less of the things that don’t. DAH!
How do you know if you need a media detox?
Well…you might need a media detox if:
*You spend more time in front of the TV or looking at a device of any kind than you do engaging with people in person.
*You can’t remember the last time you went more than a couple hours without checking our phone, Facebook, Instagram, TicToc, Etc.
*You feel sad, angry, frustrated, anxious or even depressed (especially when you watch TV)
*You feel overwhelmed
*You disengage from real life or would rather be on social media or in front of the TV than engaging with others in person
*You have a hard time focusing on one thing
*When your phone or “device” buzzes and you automatically and immediately pick it up (you can’t not look)
*You fall into a “comparison trap” and your main reason for using social media is to compare yourself or your life with others
*You feel stressed when you haven’t looked at your device or social medial for hours (FOMO=Fear Of Missing Out)
*You feel physical pain in your eyes, fingers, thumb, wrist or neck
*You spend more time thinking about what to post than enjoying the moment
*You have unrealistic or unattainable standards of beauty
*You have lots of mindless information coming at you and influencing your behaviors
*You don’t feel like yourself
*You buy stuff you don’t need because an of an ad on TV or the internet/social media
Any of these things sound familiar? You might want to give a media detox a try.
Of course there are many types or levels of the media detox. Your media detox could be as simple as mine, just for a weekend simply and completely disconnecting from using TV, phone(s), iPad, computer, laptop, etc. Or it can be a lot more involved where you might actually close social media accounts and remove apps from your devices that are “distractions” to your life… Or anything in between.
The benefits of a media detox are amazing! It can teach you how much time you really waste on your devices or in front of the TV and from there you can choose to do more fun and productive things that serve you and your betterment. It can help you feel better and reduce stress. It’ll give you time to focus on your spiritual growth and fostering deeper connections with others. It can give you more time to spend in nature. It can help you declutter your mind. It can help you sleep better. And above all, it can increase your desire to be freed of digital addictions!
As a side note, what if you were to get real with yourself? What other things in your life can you disconnect from that aren’t serving you or the person you want to be? Maybe it’s beyond a media detox. Maybe it’s a toxic relationship? A job that sucks the life out of you? Unhealthy foods that keep you fat? The lies that you tell yourself (your limiting beliefs) that keep you stuck? Too much shopping?
What other addictions have taken over your life that you need to let go of? Maybe it’s smoking? Drugs? Alcohol? Sex? Food? Excessive spending?
Start small, prove to yourself that you CAN do a media detox, even if it’s only for a day or two! You’ll be surprised how good you feel.
Maybe a media detox is your first step towards better health?
The journey to a healthier, happier you is so worth it. I know—because I lived it.
I stopped chasing skinny and started focusing on my health—and that single shift changed everything. I lost 140 pounds, but more importantly, I found clarity, energy, and a life that finally feels like mine. I share the whole story in my book. Click here to learn more and see what’s possible.
