LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – As smartphones continue to capture the lives of everyone, there is always the option to draw back and reset. According to WebMD, 61% of people admit that they are addicted to their digital devices. This is when digital detoxing comes in, providing benefits to your overall being.

According to Medical News Today, to “detox” is to plan a cleanse of your body from any toxins within yourself. In this case, the toxin would be the digital addiction that needs to be removed from the body. Doing so will prioritize both the mental and physical health of your body.

Importance

Detoxing has been shown to have multiple health benefits across the board, from improving sleep to boosting creativity. According to True North, removing yourself from the internet helps the brain to fully connect with the world around us and gives the brain a moment to breathe. 

“I think digital detoxing is important because we get swept up into all the things that drag us back in. I also think that for your sleep patterns and mental health, pulling yourself away will make you feel better,” said Mrs. Ledterman, head counselor for the Wellness Space at Los Alamitos High School.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Los Alamitos High School opened up a new student-centered mental health space called The Loft. Here, students are allowed to take a small break from any stress they have and relax in a calming space. To ensure the room is as peaceful as possible, The Loft ensures that it stays a phone-free environment.

“(Having phones in the Wellness Space) really doesn’t add to helping people be regulated. I think a lot of times it can stress people out and really raise their anxiety levels. We really want people to be present here and be able to focus on doing something that’s going to allow them to have a little mindfulness, like coloring, water painting or things like that,” Mrs. Ledterman said.

When to detox

Taking time away from digital life can benefit anyone and everyone, though some people may experience greater symptoms and need it more than others. An easy way to see how much time you spend on your phone is by opening your phone’s settings to find your daily or weekly average screen time. According to OSF Healthcare, teenagers should not be spending any more than 2 hours a day on their screens besides homework. 

Brown Health states that signs, including the following, may indicate the need for a digital detox:

• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Comparing yourself
• Stress
• Anger
• Often feeling like you’re missing out
• Constantly checking your phone

“Digital detoxing allows you to have time for yourself, whether it be self-care or a break from all the influences that you see online. It will overall make you feel better,” an intern from the LAHS Wellness Space said.

If you find that any of these symptoms or signs may apply, consider doing a digital detox to open up the best version of yourself.

How-to detox

If you find that your device is in the way of your day-to-day life, there are many ways to reconnect with the world and limit your phone usage. The easiest way to cut down on screen time would be to set screen time limits for yourself. iPhones allow you to set limits on specific apps using a numeric password. Letting a friend or family member know the code can help you from opening up apps past your limit. Slowly bringing the time limit down 30 minutes a day to five or none will help you in detaching from online. 

Setting goals and making a list is a great way to stay on task with what you want to achieve. According to CNET, apps such as One Sec, Forest and Opel are helpful apps that will help you work towards your desired goal to stay off your phone. These apps allow you to be responsible for setting your own restrictions that best fit your needs. Each app has its own layout, and some apps are more complex than others, yet they all have the same idea. 

The most important thing to do during a detox is filling in that new open space with something more beneficial than screen time. This is a perfect time to pick up hobbies, read and be creative. Another habit of staying active, which can be something as simple as a walk, is also better than sitting on a device.

Challenges of detoxing

Living in a world where we constantly communicate with each other with our devices can make it difficult to stay away from them. Being aware of the challenges that may occur while trying to remove yourself from a phone can help you easily overcome them. 

“I get sucked into so many things; I have deleted apps in the past couple months because I feel like it was taking so much of my time and energy,” Mrs. Ledterman said.

It’s hard to put down the phone when everyone else around you seems to be trapped as well. According to OSF Healthcare, impatience is one of the main factors of high amounts of screen time. Acknowledging this and practicing patience will set you apart from everyone else, teach you better time management, help you develop social skills and learn how to live in the moment. 

Keeping a positive mindset during a digital detox is the best way to push through. It may be difficult at first to stay off your phone, but remembering that you are building a healthier version of yourself is the ultimate reward