Disconnect to Reconnect: 6 Easy Ways to Disconnect from the Digital World

This is a guest post written by Eloise Smith. Eloise is a Social Media Manager, Content Creator and Instagram Mentor helping busy business owners with their Instagram strategy and creative content creation. She works mainly with health, wellness and beauty brands who need help elevating their presence on social media. Eloise is also a proud AF dog mum to two Golden Retrievers and is a self-confessed Insta-addict. She loves to empower business owners with the knowledge and skills to use Instagram well and is always sharing heaps of tips and advice over at @eloisesmith_

The Digital World

Living in the digital age, where our phones are basically glued to us at all times and social media is the new way to do basically everything, it can be really hard to disconnect. #AmIright?

It has become so habitual for us to pick up our devices and open apps multiple times a day, that we don’t even give it a second thought. Guilty 🙋

If it isn’t text messaging and phone calls, it’s Instagram and Facebook. If it isn’t emailing and using Google, it’s watching YouTube or shopping online.

We rely on technology so much in our day-to-day lives, and for the most part we do actually need it to stay connected, but it is equally as important to unplug every now and then.

It doesn’t have to be a full-blown digi-detox, where you go cold turkey on technology completely.

It can be as simple as creating some new daily habits to help you stay more mindful and present.

Here are six ways to easily and REALISTICALLY disconnect from the digital world:

1. Don’t Check Your Phone for the First Couple of Hours of the day

Did you nearly have a heart attack just fathoming that? But seriously, think about how much time you will gain in the morning and what you could do with those extra couple hours each day.

Not only can you start your day with a clear mind, unpolluted by the world of social media, but you may even develop some new morning habits. Perhaps you could start a morning ritual such as meditating, exercising, journaling, practicing yoga or reading a book.

Or maybe you’ll use that time to get a little more sleep? (that sounds good to me… #NotAMorningPerson). It’s a win-win really.

2. Take a Day off Social Media

Yes, a full day. I recently implemented this one myself and it has been an absolute GAME-CHANGER!

As a Social Media Manager and Instagram Mentor? (yes, it feels weird calling myself that), Instagram is well, pretty much my job. I spend a lot of time on the platform engaging, interacting and jumping on stories both for myself and my clients, as well as researching and sourcing content. So any time on the ‘Gram kind of feels like work.

Since deciding Sundays will be my day off, I’ve also started taking the day off Insta too and OMG have I felt better for it.

Even if Social Media isn’t part of your job, I can totally vouch for this being an INCRED way to disconnect, unwind and really appreciate the moments in your day.

3. No Devices in the Bedroom

Ok, so be honest… what’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Once your alarm has gone off, do you roll over and check your phone?

How about last thing at night? Do you scroll your Facebook feed until you are ready to go to sleep?

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. According to the latest Social Media Sensis report, the majority of Australians check social media first thing in the morning and in the evenings before they go to bed.

It’s not the healthiest habit to get into, not to mention the blue light from our phones can wreck havoc on our sleep quality.

By implementing a ‘no devices in the bedroom rule’ you are completely eliminating the temptation to pick up your phone and mindlessly scroll.

I put my phone on charge in another room overnight, which works as a bonus to actually get me out of bed when my alarm goes off in the morning, instead of pressing snooze 20 times.

4. Read a Book instead of Scrolling

Remember how before social media existed we would read a book in bed before we went to sleep? I know right, crazy talk! But I reckon we should start a movement for it to make a triumphant comeback again. What do you think?

Not only will the quality of your sleep improve, but reading is such a good way to switch off and escape into a fictional world or immerse yourself into some self-development.

You could even start your day with reading, while you sip your morning coffee, instead of catching up on what your boyfriend’s, aunty’s sister got up to on the weekend.

5. Get out in Nature and LEAVE YOUR PHONE AT HOME

There is nothing quite like stepping outside, soaking up the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air to reconnect and calm your mind.

I challenge you to leave your phone at home, so you can reeeally chill out and be in the moment.

I know what you’re thinking… ‘how will I be able to show everyone that I’m at the beach or capture the pretty sunset?’

Look, why not just lock that snapshot memory in your mind. Just sit peacefully in the moment while you experience the beauty nature has to offer.

6. Turn off Notifications

It can be super tempting to check your phone every time it rings, dings or pings with a notification, which can be super distracting—especially those damn Instagram notifications. Oooo another like!

Try turning them off and make an effort to only check your phone at a certain times throughout the day, rather than picking it up every time your screen lights up.

I truly believe that self-care and disconnecting from the digital world go hand-in-hand. When we eliminate the constant distraction of our phone and social media, we are able to be more mindful and more intentional with how we spend our time.

Like I said, you don’t have to disconnect completely. I mean, that’s a little unrealistic when we live in a world so reliant on technology for communication, but being able to create healthier habits with our devices, is a great way to look after your mental wellbeing.