17 Mar Can a digital detox REALLY make you 91% happier?
The quick answer is yes! We organise popular tech-free digital detox retreats in the UK and abroad. We ask our guests to fill out a survey to rate their own sleep, stress, concentration and happiness levels before and after the experience. In just five days, happiness levels soar from 4.5/10 to 8.6/10! Imagine how much happier a regular digital detox could make you?
How does a digital detox make you happier?
Why exactly does unplugging from technology make you so much happier? We know that technology continues to benefit the world in numerous ways – to deny that would be foolish. However, it’s also quite ironic that the very technology that is designed to make our lives easier often overcomplicates it! Social media in particular aims to bring us together, but many of our guests report being much more sociable in real life when they take a break from their devices! We’re sharing the ways in which a regular break from technology directly impacts your happiness.
Your relationships get stronger
It’s probably a surprise to many that 17% of UK adults say they feel as if they are ignored on a daily basis by a loved one because they’re on their phone! The worry is that we probably don’t realise we’re ‘phubbing’ (phone snubbing) our friends and family. Taking the time to disconnect from your devices leaves you better able to reconnect with your loved ones and the world around you.
“I found myself connecting much more deeply with the people around me. Without distractions, our conversations were much richer and more interesting” – Huffington Post’s Emily Luxton on our Puglian retreat.
You’re healthier
The evidence is starting to pile up on how our ‘always-on’ culture is stressing us out. The expectation to be reachable at all times and respond to work emails out of office hours can lead to chronic stress and emotional exhaustion. When was the last time you really switched off? We all know that stress is bad for us. Feeling under pressure can result in a loss of appetite, poor sleep and difficulty concentrating. And in the long-run, sustained stress can increase the risk of serious health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Tackling your tech habits will help you bring your work-life balance back under control, leaving you healthier and happier as a result.
You sleep better
We’re happier, healthier and less irritable when we’ve had a good night’s sleep. Plus, we have a lot more energy to take on the day’s challenges. Yet, 47% of UK adults miss out on sleep due to time spent online. There are many reasons why a digital detox ensures you get a better night’s sleep. Above all, banning your devices from your bedroom allows your body and mind to benefit from a proper wind-down routine and stops you being woken up by notifications in the night.
Your mental health will thank you
Excessive social media use has been linked to poor mental health. This phenomenon now reports some worrisome stats, such as heavy Facebook users becoming a whopping five times more likely to suffer from depression. We all suffer from a crisis of confidence when we scroll through others’ ‘perfect’ online profiles now and again. Taking a step back from the virtual world reminds that it is just that – virtual. We broadcast our life’s highlights online, rarely the lowlights. It’s good to remember that there’s a real person behind the profile posting those perfect photos, and they’re probably sat in their pyjamas just like you!
So, a digital detox can definitely increase your happiness levels! But what’s next? We share some great insight on how to start gradually adjusting your relationship with technology. A great way to begin is by taking on our unique 5:2 digital diet. Or, if you’re more all or nothing, why not have a look at our upcoming retreats?
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