Detox the digital way

Influencer turned entrepreneur Zoe Sugg, and Jordan Stephens, co-founder of mental health organisation #IAMWHOLE, explain why digital detoxing is more pertinent than ever...

Digital Detox Day was a campaign set-up between mental health organisation #IAMWHOLE, content creator and best-selling author Zoe Sugg and Lush in 2022. It sought to raise awareness about the negative impact social media can have on mental health, and aimed to help people form healthier relationships with their devices. Here, musician and co-founder of #IAMWHOLE, Jordan Stephens and Zoe Sugg, give us their thoughts on why taking a break from social media is so beneficial.

Why is digitally detoxing important?

Zoe Sugg: "So much research and so many studies have shown that spending too much time on social media can be so bad for our mental health, causing; depression, anxiety, loneliness, sleeplessness to name but a few.  So it’s important people are really mindful of how much time they’re spending online and being able to put some boundaries in, as well as focusing on what makes them happy."

Jordan Stephens: "Exactly. Also, at times our phones can present themselves as a means to escape how we feel, but we’re not actually processing how we feel. For all of us it’s a lot easier to just distract ourselves with a screen, but it’s imperative that we connect with our emotions."

Zoe: "Sometimes I find myself endlessly scrolling and I feel like my brain can’t retain any more information, that’s when I know I’m overdoing it. That's why it's important, at the very least, to set boundaries on who you follow and what content you consume, but if you can go further - I think it’s really healthy especially in this day and age, to take a digital detox - step away from your device to get that space you probably didn’t realise you needed."

What was Digital Detox Day?

Jordan: "Digital Detox Day encouraged people to build a healthier relationship with their phones; making sure that as we all technologically advance through this bizarre and brief existence we also hold on to our humanity. It was, and still is, important for humans to connect to the world around them and not just connect to virtual spaces."

Zoe: "Definitely! Digital Detox Day was a chance for everybody to switch off and spend their day IRL with their friends doing an activity they enjoyed but maybe had put off. It was a chance to just spend some time away from their devices, and to encourage people to set boundaries for how much time they were spending online."

What tips can you share for a successful digital detox?

Zoe: "I have a few! Here we go...

1. Set boundaries. Give yourself a limited amount of time on your apps, the best thing to do is set up usage alerts.

2. Wake up first. Try to start your day without looking at your phone. In the morning: make your bed, head downstairs, grab a glass of water, make your breakfast, take a shower and use a product that has a really stimulating scent, get ready for the day and then look at your phone. I always have this awful habit of opening my eyes and reaching straight for my phone, scrolling away and realising I have no time to get ready.

3. Go phone-free at night. I’ve been told that to have the best night’s sleep, leave your phone outside your room. I know you might be saying ‘what do I do about my alarm?’ well my friend, buy an alarm clock! As hard as that sounds it’s a proven method and if you struggle to sleep; the less blue light you consume before bed the better. Although it sounds wild to be leaving your phone outside the room, try it for a week and you’ll notice a difference.

4. Be selective. Tailor who you’re following on social media. Get comfortable with the unfollow and mute button if somebody is making you feel anything less than inspired or confident, just remove them from your feed. You do not need to be following people to keep them happy, you need to be following people to make you happy. Make yourself the priority. Make the content you’re consuming worth consuming.

5. Check in IRL. Catch up with your friends in real life instead of relying on their stories or posts to keep up with them or what they’re doing in their day. Social media is always, and will always be, someone’s highlight reel and they will never say how they’re feeling by showing the ins and outs of their 24 hour day. It’s so important to stay connected with people in real life and not through Instagram posts.

6. Think before you type. This one goes a long way. I think we’re all a little guilty sometimes of typing something without really thinking about it and I think if we all took 10 seconds to consider if a comment is constructive or helpful or if it’s just plain mean or rude the internet would be a nicer place to be. I also think sometimes if you’ve seen something online that makes you feel angry or bad about something, put the phone down, step away, go and make yourself a cup of tea, read a book, run a bath or whatever helps you relax rather than reacting too quickly without thinking it through. Being online, it’s much easier to type without thinking and then you can get yourself into a mess.

7. Treat your accounts like your home. It is your space on the internet; you decide what is and isn’t allowed, who is allowed in and who isn’t. If someone is misbehaving in your house, you have every right to ask them to leave; block, remove or delete. It’s your space and you can make it whatever you want it to be, it is not up to anyone else to decide that for you, you are in charge, that’s it!"

So what are you waiting for? Don't wait for a specific date to grab a digital detox, start making positive changes today to reap the benefits instantly! There are so many more positive things you can do with your time, whether it's being around friends and family IRL, practicing the Japanese art of forest bathing (immerse yourself in green, natural environments to improve your mental health), or slink down into a wonderfully warm bath, scented with richly intoxicating aromas to help you unwind for some much deserved you, and only you, time.