“There may be no Wi-Fi in the forest, but I promise you there’s no place you’ll find a better connection.”
A connection with nature, ourselves, and the universe should not be underestimated. The breath of the wild is the same breath in our lungs.
Our uninterrupted connection with nature means an intentional disconnection from the distractions and motions, the fickle affairs of men.
Digital detoxing is defined as purposefully taking time and attention away from screens (Yes, even the work computer screen) so that we can purposefully direct time and attention towards nature, by ourselves, with loved ones, doing anything, or doing nothing.
“Detoxing” from our addicting digital devices is a way to focus on real-life social interactions and connections without distractions.
By forgoing digital devices, for a sustained period of time, we can let go of the stress that stems from that constant connectivity.
Reflection
Our brains are a tricky place to navigate as it is, throw in the bombarding, unregulated stream of social media posts, likes, comments, texts, emails, ads, and alerts, and you have an impossibly confusing maze in your mind.
The average U.S. adult spends around 11 hours each day listening to, watching, reading, interacting with, or being distracted by digital media.
That leaves roughly 5 hours each day away from devices and screens (and boy do those 5 precious hours go by quickly).
The excessive amount of dopamine that our devices channel into our brain leads to an excessive amount of stress hormones (known to be one of the leading causes of aging and cellular degeneration).
In other words, reduce the screen time and increase the nature and community time and you can reduce the stress hormones and increase the amount of time in nature with those you love.
In other, other words, there is a direct relationship between our time spent with technology and our stress levels.
One study found that 70% of participants checked social media on their phones while in bed, which dramatically increased their levels of anxiety, insomnia, sleep duration, and yes, stress.
Hand in hand with mindfulness, more time spent using digital technologies was linked to increased symptoms of ADHD and conduct disorder, as well as worse self-regulation.
Another study suggested that the advent of the internet on smartphones influenced overall job satisfaction, job stress, and feelings of overwork (checking emails well past getting off work).
Comparison can be the thief of joy, and detoxing from our social media connections can be a good way to focus on what’s important in our lives without comparing ourselves to others.
Constant connectivity via our vibrant, viscous phones can feed the fear of missing out or FOMO.
Every time we see an Instagram or TikTok post about someone else’s wonderful and adventurous life, it causes and crazy drop in dopamine, leaving us with feelings of discontent and depression.
We might also find ourselves overcommitting to social events and gatherings out of the fear that we’ll be left out of the experience.
FOMO in our digital lives leads to the infatuation of constantly checking our devices out of fear that we will miss an important text, DM, or post.
Doing a digital detox is one of the most impactful ways to set limits and reduce our fear of missing out. The key is to do it in a way that doesn’t leave us unintentionally stressed and just want to throw our phones off the Golden Gate Bridge.
Now, I know this is a hard pill to swallow, and I totally agree that many apps and websites can teach us a more mindful and intentional approach to life.
This process is often more about recognizing the patterns in our relationship with our devices and setting boundaries in a way that benefit, rather than harm, our emotional and mental health.
Encouragement
Once or twice a week, I try my best to practice digital detoxing by going to a park or forest I’m familiar with driving to so I don’t need GPS to get there. All I bring is a hammock, a good book, some snacks, and an open mind.
Each evening, a sacred time to read and set the mind up for deep rest, I will leave my phone and computer in the living room (my Fitbit will wake me up).
Also, through daily meditation practice, I can catch myself pretty quickly when I’ve been caught in rumination or FOMO or doom scrolling or any other side effect
When I find my mind wandering to all the replies and tasks in my digital life (as it inevitably will), I will simply write them down as they come.
No matter the length of our digital detox, a little goes a long way. We are able to create the opposite habit of putting away the phone, coming back to the present, and appreciating nature as it asks us to.
Links
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