Switch off to tune in: The magic of a digital detox
In our fast-paced digital world, devices like smartphones and tablets have become omnipresent, often overshadowing our ability to disconnect and be present. While technology offers countless benefits, overexposure (commonly known as screen addiction or tech addiction) can lead to stress, decreased focus and a disconnection from ourselves and the world around us.
My personal journey with sleep and digital exposure
A few months ago, I bought a Garmin watch primarily to help reduce my digital time. My goal was simple: I wanted to use it to keep an eye on the time during my walks so I wouldn’t need to carry my phone, thereby limiting my exposure to screens and notifications. Initially, it worked well – fewer distractions meant I was spending less time on my phone and more time fully present.
However, the watch also tracks sleep quality, and I started to become obsessed with the data. Most nights, I would see that my sleep quality was marked as poor, which began to affect my mental state. I’d wake up anxious, worrying about whether I was sleeping well or if I was getting enough rest. Instead of trusting my intuition and natural cues, I became reliant on the watch’s sleep reports, which ended up disrupting my sleep even further.
Recognising that this obsession was causing more harm than good, I decided to stop wearing the watch at night altogether. That simple decision was incredibly freeing. Without the constant nagging of the sleep data, I began to sleep better, wake more refreshed and re-establish trust in my own body’s signals. It made me realise how important it is sometimes to step back from technology to maintain mental peace and physical health.
Digital detox starts with simple habits
I recently had an inspiring conversation with a lady practising in my yoga class. She mentioned that she’s experimenting by putting her phone in airplane mode during the day to cut down on endless scrolling and wasting time on her device. This simple act of reducing screen time was something she found helpful for regaining control and creating more mindful days.
This resonated deeply with me, because I’m also experimenting with ways to better manage my digital habits. One approach I’ve adopted is setting designated times during the day to respond to messages – say, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening – rather than constantly checking and reacting to notifications throughout the day. It’s about creating boundaries, so the rest of the time my phone stays away, notifications are silenced and I can focus on the present without interruptions.
Optimising sleep hygiene and digital use for better rest
For those struggling with sleep issues, managing your digital exposure – especially before bedtime – is crucial. It’s recommended to keep your phone away from your bedside, preferably in another room altogether, rather than on your nightstand. If you must keep it nearby, ensure it’s out of arm’s reach to avoid the temptation to check notifications or the time.
Why is this important? Checking the clock during the night, especially if you have sleep problems, can trigger stress and worry about how much sleep you’re getting. This heightened anxiety can make it even harder to fall back asleep. Instead, adopt the practice of setting an alarm and trusting that your body will rest when it needs to. If you’re wakeful in the middle of the night, it’s best to relax and allow yourself to rest, rather than stressing about the time or how many hours you’ve slept.
Practising good sleep hygiene – like leaving your phone out of reach and not using it right before bed – helps create a peaceful environment conducive to restful sleep, free from notifications and blue light. This, combined with a digital detox routine, can significantly improve sleep quality and overall wellbeing.
The importance of digital detox in yoga
Yoga is more than just physical postures; it’s a holistic practice that nurtures the mind, body and spirit. One of the core principles of yoga is mindfulness; being fully present in the moment. However, the constant ping of notifications and the urge to check devices can hinder this practice. Incorporating a digital detox into your yoga routine can significantly enhance your experience and overall wellbeing.
Why switch off and tune in?
These are the key benefits you can experience when you switch off your devices and tune in to the present moment.
- Reclaim your focus: Screen addiction and obsessing over digital data fragment our attention. Switching off devices allows you to immerse yourself fully in your practice, fostering deeper concentration and inner peace.
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Continuous digital stimuli elevate cortisol levels and induce anxiety. A digital detox during yoga serves as a mental reset, helping you relax and reconnect with your breath and body – just as I needed to reset my own relationship with technology.
- Enhance mindfulness and self-awareness: Turning off your devices creates space for reflection. It encourages you to listen to your body’s signals and develop a greater sense of self-awareness – cornerstones of yoga philosophy.
- Create tech-free time on the mat: Initiatives like “Digital Detox at SPACE” promote establishing tech-free periods during yoga classes or personal practice, supporting a more meditative and undistracted experience.
How to practise a digital detox during yoga
Follow these steps to create your own digital detox on the yoga mat.
- Set intentions: Before your practice, set a clear intention to create a tech-free space. If necessary, inform your fellow yogis about your intention, to avoid interruptions.
- Create a tech-free environment: Use airplane mode, switch off your devices or leave them outside the practice space. If you have a smartwatch, consider removing it or turning it off to avoid distractions.
- Focus on the present: Use your practice to anchor yourself in your breath, sensations and movement, free from external distractions.
- Post-yoga reflection: Spend a few moments in silence to appreciate the mental clarity gained from disconnecting.
Switching off on retreat
Retreats offer another wonderful opportunity to switch off and tune in. Away from the distractions of everyday life, you can disconnect your devices and fully immerse yourself in a deeper, more meaningful experience.
I recently went on quite a journey myself in Spain, on a plant medicine retreat. It was a full-on experience, which was totally unexpected but life changing. On the first night we were ‘invited’ to get rid of our phones for the entire four days.
I was initially resistant but then thought, “Why not? Do I really need my phone anyway?” I messaged my family and fellow teachers to say I was going offline (something we wouldn’t have thought of doing only a few years ago), gave contact details in case of an emergency and put my phone in the basket.
Wow! What an experience to be uncontactable. I found it incredibly liberating and I returned from the retreat with a brilliant new perspective on my own life and life in general. The next time you go on retreat, I highly recommend practising a digital detox at the same time – it might just change your life!
Experience the bliss of a digital detox
By consciously choosing to switch off your devices during yoga – and in my case, leaving the watch off at night and keeping the phone out of reach – you open the door to greater mindfulness, reduced stress and a profound sense of freedom from devices. This simple act can help you reset, recharge and reconnect with yourself, bringing balance not just to your yoga practice but to your life as a whole.
My personal story is a reminder that sometimes less is more. Reduce exposure, get your life back and discover the transformative benefits of a digital detox in your journey toward mental, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
An invitation to switch off at SPACE
The next time you come to practise at our studio, I’d like to ‘invite’ you to leave your phone, smart watch and other digital devices out of the practice space to see how it feels.
I’ll be putting up a sign to this effect and want to stress that this isn’t a rule but an invitation. Of course, there are times when people genuinely need to be contactable. But, it’s only one hour of your life – are you up to the challenge?
Book a class with us at SPACE and put your digital detox into practice. See you on the mat!
