As the influence of technology on our lives gets deeper, the newer concept of Digital Fasting has paved ways in everyone’s life and it’s really a need of the hour to balance our stress and mental peace. We all need a break from all the digital inputs and outputs just to cleanse our minds of the harsh effects of screens. Intermittent fasting is still popular among health-conscious people all over the world.
Some of the top law colleges in Nashik help students understand the need for digital fasting in terms of improving concentration, attention span, and analytical thinking capabilities. In this era as well as for coming generations digital fasting will be much popular and in demand. The concept of digital fasting has been discussed on social media platforms, and people have come forward to discuss the prolonged effects and ways to improve their mental health.
What is Digital Fasting?
Digital fasting, also sometimes referred to as a “digital detox,” is the choice to stay away from social media platforms and the internet for a specific amount of time. These notions serve as a remedy in lessening the ill effects, such as stress, sleepiness, and social isolation, that usually come from depending and spending too much time in front of a screen. Students commonly devote hours to interacting and conversing on social media platforms, resulting in more screen time.
Social media platforms are avoided by many students in order to reduce the mental pressure and stress of this digital world. These are also habitually avoided by those who do not want to be entangled in this showy and dangerous online world. Students turn off their mobile notifications to lessen unnecessary disruptions. The ultimate goal is to foster relationships with their peers, loved ones, and themselves free from the interference of screens.
Negative Impacts of Excessive Screen Time
There are many ill effects of prolonged screen time that could be listed, but few are mentioned below,
- Mental fatigue: Mental fatigue is a slow poison despite no physical activity, one feels stressed out after being continuously on-screen.
- Symptoms of headache and eye fatigue: Continuous and prolonged use of screens will lead to headache, dry eyes, and inflammation.
- Reduced concentration and brain fog: At times, due to long exposure in front of screen time, it can lead to less concentration, inability to understand information, or remember particulars.
- Sleep disorders: This is a very common symptom, and it relates to difficult sleeping.
- Memory loss: Prolonged screen time may slowly and slowly fade your memory and will affect you in the long term.
Advantages of Digital Fasting
Disconnecting from social media platforms can drastically affect your emotional and mental well-being and can impact you negatively. Digital detoxification helps you do just that. Following are the advantages:
- Increased productivity: We can look for good opportunities by concentrating on the work and being more productive on the task assigned, if there is no distraction from the digital world.
- Enhanced sleep: Getting used to no screen time before bed can enhance peaceful sleep at night, which makes the next day more energetic.
- Inner harmony: The less usage of screen time has been proven to be a boon to the human body. It has lowered down the risk of stress and anxiety.
- Bond building: Taking breaks from the digital world helps one connect with friends and family members, balancing mental stress and life, which further helps create a personal bond with loved ones.
How to Start Digital Fasting?
Simple steps to start with Digital Fasting:
- Mute notifications: This option is a need of the hour as it helps to focus on targets that one needs to achieve in life. It also helps prevent distractions and addiction to the alert sounds.
- Participate in activities: One can develop long hidden talents by taking part in activities and understanding their skills. This can help them release stress and lead a better life.
- Draw the line: The best way is to understand where to draw lines in the use of screening time. Establishing time limits for social media use is another strategy to cut back on it.
- Start small: Don’t check your phone for fifteen minutes on the first day. For disconnecting, make a habit of taking small breaks, which later can be developed into a routine. Make this a practice, and automatically your mind will be stable and won’t be distracted.
- Reducing screen time: Create a strong willpower to cut down on screen time by getting habituated to scrolling through apps. Balancing your mind and body will result in a positive approach and mind-set.
- Unplug at night prior bedtime: Make an effort to turn off your phone right before bed. This will help you establish a bedtime routine and enhance your quality of sleep.
- Develop new skills: Enhancing simple skills gives a better approach to seeing life. Skills like cooking, gardening, learning a new language, or playing an instrument, or exploring new places can relax your brain making it more productive.
- Setting up screen-free zones: To have a peaceful sleep and avoid disturbances, all the gadgets should be kept away from the bedroom so as to improve the relationship with the loved ones.
Conclusion
To summarize, social media platforms and gadgets are an important part of our lives, as we tend to connect with the outside world globally; however, getting addicted is a red flag in an individual’s life. One can focus on different ways to keep themselves busy and engaged so that they can be less distracted by screens. Some of the best law schools in Maharashtra organise digital fasting workshops for students to help them grasp the concept and make it a regular practice.
Digital detoxification must be followed as a practice throughout your life to maintain a balance between your mind and body. We can create a room for better relationships, enhance our overall personal growth and still be connected with the outside world within our limits. Why not start down the path to a happier and balanced life? Accept the transformation that can occur when you appreciate the power of disconnecting.