Olivia Elsey

I struggle to think of how we would stay connected without the use of smartphones. Carrier pigeons, smoke signals, tin cans on a string?

Smartphones are a brilliant outlet to connect, communicate and interact with others. A recent survey concluded that 96 per cent of adults own a smartphone of some kind. Just let that figure sink in. Nearly all the adults surveyed said that they owned a smartphone.

I could not be without mine, especially during this year of uncertainty. While living away from my family, having access to video calling and quizzes via Zoom has allowed me to stay connected.

But there is a fine line between using your phone to contact loved ones, and habitually picking it up.

A few weeks ago, I discovered that I had unlocked my phone 106 times that day. Our phones record the number of times the screen is unlocked, notifications received, and time spent on apps. I was mortified to uncover these figures. Although, about 50 of those notifications might have been from the university’s Mailing List. Jokes aside, I realised that something needed to change before 106 became a much higher number.

Deciding to embark upon a digital detox was a no-brainer. Scrolling through pictures of other people’s lives was impacting my mental health. It’s been a slog over the past six weeks, not having Instagram to accompany me in the bathroom (don’t judge - everyone has a scroll beside the toilet roll), but there have been improvements in my mental health since ditching the digital.

Here’s some benefits you might also realise if you decide to give it a go:

1. More time for study

It might not be music to your ears, but actively spending time studying (not “watching” recorded lectures with one eye and TikTok with another) is going to be the best thing you do this semester. I promise.

2. Better mental health

More confidence and a higher level of self-esteem because you’re not comparing yourself to the edited perfected images that are on your timeline.

3. Improved physical health

You could pick up an active hobby, like running (couch to 5K, anyone?) or yoga which has wonderful health benefits, such as lower blood pressure, improved sleep, and better relationships with others and ourselves.

4. More data to check directions when you’re lost

Have you ever taken the wrong turn and end up in the middle of nowhere? The music gets turned down so you can ‘see better’, and you find a spot to pull in so you can check where you are. If you take a break from using apps using valuable mobile data, you can guarantee that there will be enough data for you to load Maps and find your way

5. Stronger relationships

In my experience of taking time away from my phone, my relationships with people (and my dog) are stronger because we’re having active, no screen-in-the-face interactions

6. A better sense of self

You could complete short courses online to improve your personal or professional development. Maybe you’ve wanted to start a new hobby or side-hustle. Now is the best opportunity to do so!

7. Healthier sleeping pattern

Ever wonder why you struggle falling off to sleep? Stop sleeping with your phone under your pillow. Stick it across the room or even in another room entirely. And try to avoid using your phone about hour or two before going to sleep, because the blue light and screen time wreaks havoc with the sleep hormones.

These benefits became clear to me during my period away from social media, but there will certainly be many more if you commit to improving your digital wellbeing. If deleting the apps entirely is not for you, then try disabling them for a week, or setting a screen-time limit in the settings section of your smartphone.

It will take commitment and discipline not to have a sneaky look on Twitter when you are bored finishing an assignment, but keeping a list of your digital detox intentions close by is a great way to help you stay on track and reclaim your free time.

Liv Elsey is a final year History and English student

LIFESTYLE - 7 Benefits of a Digital Detox