The uncertainty and stress that come with the global outbreak of an infectious disease such as the novel coronavirus can have a significant impact on our mental health. Every day, we are bombarded with the latest news about the spreading of the virus and the precautionary measures we need to take in order to ‘flatten the curve’ and help keep the infection rates down. While quarantining ourselves is the best way to remain safe in these critical times, it can take a toll on our mental well-being, causing many of us to turn to technology as a way of distancing ourselves from the situation at hand.
However, this coping mechanism may not be the healthiest approach to coping with coronavirus quarantine. In fact, it might even fuel the existing technology addiction and spur an unhealthy attachment to technology. Instead of relying on technology to escape the sense of isolation, taking a break from our tech tools seems like a much better and more productive way to utilize the time we spend at home. With that in mind, here are some of the ways you can detox from technology while in quarantine.
Limit the time you spend using technology
There is no denying that our tech devices can be very helpful and useful at times. However, they can also be very addicting, and as such, very challenging to escape. We’ ve all found ourselves in a situation where we told ourselves ‘just one more article’ or ‘just one more episode’. However, if you tend to spend more time using technology than intended, it’s an indicator that you might need to unplug.
As tempting as it can be to rely on online video games and TV to cope with quarantine more easily, you should make an effort to limit your screen time. Consider creating specific time blocks during which you can use technology, either to check the news, contact friends and family or scroll through your social media feed. That way, your use of technology will be much more intentional and you’ll prevent spending more time than you planned to.
Rely on non-electronic swaps to detox from technology
While the thought of distancing yourself from technology during the coronavirus quarantine might be daunting, it doesn’t have to be all that challenging. A couple of changes go a long way in making the process much more bearable, so consider relying on some non-electronic swaps to help yourself detox from technology in a less abrupt manner.
Look for products that are in line with the popular electronic detoxification movement and support your intention to disconnect electronically. It can be something as simple as replacing your everyday gadgets such as a watch. For instance, you can forego using a digital watch and look for some quality Japanese watches that are non-electronic and produce no ticking sound, thus allowing you to achieve mental balance while being able to own your time instead of it owning you. This also applies to other electronic devices such as tablets and e-readers, and there are plenty of non-digital alternatives to these tech tools that can help you in your intention to go on a tech fast while in quarantine.
Try to be more active while in quarantine
Being on lockdown during the pandemic also means less physical activity. However, even shorter periods of being inactive can wreak havoc on our physical and mental health, leading to a range of metabolic effects such as alterations in energy balance, reduction of exercise capacity, and muscle atrophy.
Therefore, you should do your best to stay active even when you’re stuck inside your home. Fill your time with simple self-care activities and consider installing some fitness apps and doing some online workouts. In doing so, you’re sure to keep boredom at bay while ensuring an optimal fitness regime and health level.
Use technology to help you cope with the quarantine
When it comes to digital detox, there are plenty of ways to do it. Because of that, each individual can come up with a different way to use technology to their advantage. For some, giving up all the electronic devices and gadgets might not be that challenging, and they may adapt quickly. For others, this might be too extreme, and because of that, they may decide to take smaller steps in their aim to balance technology use and give up only one digital device. You can also restrict the use of digital devices for a specific period of time, or you can schedule days when you’ll go tech-free.
Another way to make technology work for you would be to use it as a powerful motivator to live healthily. You can use it to learn new exercises, start a new diet, or find some healthy recipes. Sometimes, it’s all about changing our way of looking at things and making the most out of them.
Conclusion
Doing a digital detox is a great way to make better use of your time while in quarantine and practice self-care. By structuring your free time in a way that doesn’t involve too much technology, you will begin to feel much more productive and consequently, much happier. And instead of relying on technology to numb out, you will be able to take a step back, slow down and begin thinking of ways to spend your time more meaningfully, ultimately realizing what it is – your most important resource.
