Digital detox: Here's how to do it effectively

One of the biggest challenges of most people today is digital detox referring to staying away from electronic devices paired with the internet, for some time. Experts say it can reduce stress, calm you down, and improve health. However, as most of us don't know what to do other than checking phones whenever we get a few seconds of break, phone addiction is a calamity that has consumed all of us. If you are thinking of ways to give digital detox a try, here's how you can go about it. 

1) Scheduled time outs
Pick a specific time of the day during which you would be gadget-free. You can turn off your devices, especially your phone, and just take a stroll, talk to friends or family, or simply do nothing. Yes, it can be tough at first but over time, you will surely wait for the little break. Make sure that you let your loved ones and colleagues know about it so that they too don't trouble you during this daily detox window.  

2) Use just one device
Many millennials have more than one phone or gadget for multiple purposes, like making calls, watching films, reading books, listening to music, and more. If you are seriously trying to limit gadget use, the first step is to reduce the number of devices around you. Once it's limited to a single device, you can also consider downgrading it so that you don't get glued to it for more than a healthy number of hours. It can be frustrating in the beginning and you might go through a FOMO phase, but the challenge is to keep pushing through it for a bigger, healthier goal. 

3)Turn off push notifications
Push notifications are the main culprits that drag up to our devices. If you can allocate time to check the updates on important sites/apps rather than keeping yourself a slave to them, you can save that time to indulge in productive activities. For many people, deleting social media apps or signing out from such forums increases their anxiety. Rather, take baby steps first and just say no to notifications. 

4) Delete distracting apps
Every phone user has apps that steal the majority of their productive time - be it news or movie apps, music notifiers, games, et all. If you have 5 such apps, try deleting one of them. The decision is completely yours. Over time, you will realise you don't miss the app much. Once you are mentally strong, delete the next one. Also, make sure that you don't download new, equally engaging apps again. 

5) Keep devices away from your bedroom
Health experts say it's unhealthy to let the rays from gadgets enter your eyes, especially soon after you wake up and before you go to bed. It can ruin your sleep quality and also hamper your eyesight in the long run. Also, smartphones produce electromagnetic radiation that disrupts our biological clock or heart rhythm, according to experts. They can also cause health issues in the long run. Unless there are emergency calls that might come your way, keep your phone outside your bedroom for a gadget-free, healthy dose of rest.