Technology and mental wellbeing - UK Unplugging Day
Sunday 27 June is UK Unplugging Day. Switching off from our devices from time-to-time can help to improve our relationship with technology, and in turn our mental wellbeing. UK Unplugging Day raises awareness of these benefits and encourages a 24-hour break from technology.
Join in with Unplugging Day and help support our charity at the same time by giving a 'Pledge To Unplug' £5 donation via our Eventbrite page to help yourself commit to the challenge!
Technology and mental wellbeing
A study by Ofcom has shown a surge in tech usage, with UK adults spending an average of 4 hours and 2 minutes online each day in April 2020. Successive lockdowns have caused many of us to be more reliant on screens, increasing concerns over the impact that they are having on our mental wellbeing. As a result, it has never been more important to nurture positive habits and use our devices with balance, intention, and awareness.
We are constantly inundated with notifications, alerts, phone calls and messages. The feeling of always being connected prevents our minds from relaxing and can cause us to experience increased levels of stress. Heavy device use, particularly prior to bedtime, can also disrupt sleep quality and quantity.
Here are some signs that may suggest that you could benefit from altering your relationship with your devices:
You feel anxious or stressed out if you can't find your phone
You feel compelled to check your phone every few minutes
You feel pressured to reply to messages instantly
You feel depressed, anxious, or angry after spending time on social media
You are preoccupied with the like, comment, or reshare counts on your social posts
You’re afraid that you'll miss something if you don't keep checking your device
You often find yourself staying up late or getting up early to play on your phone
You have trouble concentrating on one thing without having to check your phone
Digital Detoxing
So many of us rely on technology in our daily lives, particularly for communication and entertainment. This can make the prospect of stepping away from all devices for a whole day seem unthinkable. While it may be hard, it can be a rewarding experience that will help you better understand your relationship with your devices and be more present and mindful in your other activities and experiences. If you feel particularly worried about missing something while you are logged off, let your friends and family know in advance that you will not be responding to their messages, and ask for their support.
Here are some ideas of some tech-free activities that you can do on UK Unplugging Day (and beyond!):
Meet up with a friend, perhaps someone that you haven’t seen in person for a while
Declutter an area of your home
Try something new
Play a game that isn’t online, like a card game or a jigsaw
Read a book
Try out some mindfulness exercises
Volunteer
Most importantly, get out in the fresh air. For example, you could go for a walk or to the beach
It may not be preferable or even possible for you to completely disconnect on UK Unplugging Day. This does not mean you cannot take part. A digital detox does not have to involve a complete separation from your phone and other devices; the process is often more about setting boundaries and making sure that you are using your devices in a way that benefit, rather than harm, your emotional and physical health. Instead, you may wish to start by challenging yourself to set a limit on your screen time, turn off push notifications, or only give up one device or one aspect of your device usage, such as social media.
