Delayed Digital Consumption

Your digital life can be connected to your mental health positively and negatively.

The positives are numerous; entertainment, connection, and information discovery are ways of our digital life.

Then there are the negatives to digital life. The constant stimulation and access to world events can lead to depression, anxiety, and fear. In addition, social media can lead us to comparison to others, which contributes to feelings of not being good enough or not having enough.

So how do we balance the two?

I recently began a new practice. Digital De-toxing and Delayed Digital Consumption.

Here is how they work. First, I pick a 12-24 hour period, usually on the weekend, and I decrease the amount of digital time I have.

The second is delaying my engagement with technology. I do this by leaving my phone or tablet in my bedroom at night. I purchased a digital alarm clock to wake myself up every morning. I then wait at least half an hour to forty-five minutes before picking up a device. This involves me getting up early. Instead of reaching for my phone, I take a shower, meditate, do spiritual reading, journal, and eat breakfast. When all of those tasks are finished. I then begin to engage with my device.

I am now mentally prepared to handle what comes at me and am triggered less by the notifications.

The benefits occurred quickly. I don’t find myself rushing in the morning; I don’t find myself angry or filled with anxiety.

I just finished a video series on Delayed Digital Consumption and put together a Five Day Challenge- The keep your device out of your bedroom challenge. It is very simple, don’t take a device into your room at night. Leave it in another room. If you need to engage before bed, keep a book in your room.

You can check out the playlists of videos here. Take some time to examine your digital life today and its impact on your mental health. It is well worth the effort!