07 Jan UK adults spend nearly half their day on screens
Modern life is a constant melee of digital interactions, rushed real life relationships and time-consuming professional careers. As a result we rarely make time for ourselves. And when we do, we are more than likely struggling to stay focused for very long. This is mostly due to the fact that the average UK adult now spends up to 9.5 hours per day skimming and switching between media across all channels.
The biggest trend, predictably, has been the increase in time spent on mobile devices, as eMarketer estimates that UK adults will spend a combined average of 2 hours 24 minutes a day on smart devices this year. While that might not sound like a lot, take into account that the same figure was only 31 minutes in 2011.
That’s almost a 400% increase in usage time over the four years, or 90% year on year. And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. The research also indicates that mobile use in the UK will surpass the time spent on computers (both desktop and laptops) in 2016, the first time it’s ever been the case.
If this trend continues, it could see the average UK adult spending 3 hours 12 minutes per day interacting with a mobile device by 2017. That’s almost a quarter of the time we’re awake in total during the day. Combining those numbers for a weekly tally, we will be spending, on average at least 22.4 hours per week on our phones, that’s almost an entire day, every week!
Digital detox and take a break
All these statistics on spiralling screen time are why we believe a digital detox is a vital choice for your next holiday, or break. It’s important to regularly take time to re-set and connect with other people face-to-face, and not just through the screen of a mobile device. Our mobile devices unquestionably aid our lives, but there is a big difference between using handheld devices as tools and being controlled by those devices.
We know that unplugging at home can be very difficult and that’s why we believe dedicated digital detox holidays are increasingly important. We have a built-in need to connect with others. With all of our modern digital distractions many of us have simply forgotten how to connect with nature, themselves and with other people. And that’s we really should make the time to log off.
We are social creatures and our digital detox manifesto covers our thoughts on relationships – both virtual and real. Being happy in a world that’s more connected, yet more isolating simultaneously, is hard. Our natural reaction to social media is to constantly compare our lives to those we see on our various feeds. We might also finding ourselves priding ourselves on our ability to multitask over several media, and losing the focus and concentration we need to master single skills or solve challenging problems.
Regain balance in life
We need to take control and create a life that is more balanced by switching off mobile devices regularly. We also need to set examples for our children, this current generation who are growing up in a digital-dominated world. Passing on good etiquette, a balanced digital lifestyle and the importance of being outside in nature, will set them up to become well-rounded adults who can thrive in the modern world.
In a world where it’s all about the here and now finding a little peace and quiet is more important than ever and a digital detox retreat provides exactly that. Value your family over your iphone, value a good night’s sleep over time spent staring at screens, and start the journey of transforming your devices from your masters, to your servants.
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