A Digital Diet

As much as we love our digital devices, having so many distractions at our fingertips can take its toll. In an effort to shore up our attention spans and allow ourselves ample time to recharge away from screens, we’ve decided to go on a digital diet. From a couple of easy adjustments to a full-on detox, here’s how we’re going to improve our lives by unplugging.

Blue light-free bedrooms. Scientists suggest that the blue light from screens can lead to a bad night’s sleep, since the cool glow of our devices can prevent the release of melatonin. Therefore, we’re resolving to only consume text on a printed page when reading in bed, while our phones stay plugged in downstairs. 

Smart phone-free strolls. A sure sign it’s time to consider a digital diet: when the idea of taking a walk without your phone gives you hives. Rather than thinking about posting that beautiful sunset on Instagram or immediately responding to every text message, we’re going to embrace the opportunity to relax and recharge outdoors and be in the present.

Old-fashioned plan-making. While we appreciate the informality and flexibility that technology offers, we find that the ephemeral nature of the way we make plans can lead to a lack of commitment. Instead of flaking out via text or relying on a flippant “on my way” message to indicate we’re running late, we’re going to make an effort to plan ahead, be punctual, and treat virtual invitations as we would their card stock counterparts.

24-hour time-outs. We all need to know when to draw the line and take drastic measures. Say you suddenly realize that everyone at the dinner table is staring at a screen, or that reaching for your phone while waiting in line at the dry cleaner feels a little too second nature. In those instances, we’re prepared to test our tech-free limits by spending 24 hours offline and recalibrating our habits before plugging back in.