TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Digital detox or detoxification is when a person goes through a period where they refrain from using electronic devices connected to the internet such as smartphones and computers. The detox may act as a stress relief from constant connectivity.

According to the Clevland Clinic website, a person might need a digital detox and disconnect or ‘going off the grid’ if using electronic media causes you to have any of these experiences: depressed mood, increased irritability, frustration or anger, feeling insecure, loss of sleep or interrupted sleep, and feeling obligated to consume, respond, react or check-in.

According to educational consultant Kendra Cherry, the following reasons are why you should try a digital detox:

Constant connectivity affects work/ life balance

That feeling of always being connected can make it difficult to create boundaries between your home life and work life. Even when you are at home or on vacation, it can be hard to resist the temptation to check your email, respond to a text from a colleague, or check in on your social media accounts. Doing a digital detox may help you establish a healthier, less stressful work-life balance.

Comparing yourself with others makes it hard to be happy

As the saying goes, comparison really can be the thief of joy. If you spend time on social media, you have probably found yourself comparing your own life to your friends, family, total strangers, and celebs. You might find yourself thinking that everyone else seems to be leading a fuller, richer, or more exciting life based on the tiny, curated glimpse you see on their Instagram or Facebook posts.

Digital connectivity can lead to FOMO

Fear of missing out, known as FOMO, is the fear that you are missing the experiences that everyone else is having. Constant connectivity can feed this fear. Every time you see a curated image or post about someone else’s life, it can leave you feeling as if your life is less exciting than theirs. You might find yourself overcommitting to social events out of the fear that you’ll be left behind.

Doing a digital detox is one way to set limits and reduce your fear of missing out. The key is to do it in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling cut off from what’s happening in your digital world.

TEMPO.CO

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