Is breaking up with our phones the secret to a happier life? Rosie Fitzmaurice investigates.
Each time I go on holiday, I relish the opportunity to take myself offline. With plenty to explore and often dodgy Wi-Fi, a trip abroad is the perfect excuse to disconnect. An excuse to leave WhatsApp messages unchecked, my email inbox unopened and to take a break from social media and mindless scrolling in favour of an audiobook. I love it. So it inevitably begs the question: why don’t I do this more often?
Since smartphones became the centre of our universe, there has been growing concern about the potentially detrimental effects living in an always-on, online world is having on our collective mental health. Usually, the focus is on younger generations, such as Gen Z, who live and breathe social media and gather most life advice from TikTok. But we know that anyone of any age can get caught up in a spot of scrolling that sees several hours pass in the blink of an eye. The truth is that many midlifers are now just as glued to their handheld devices.
This has given rise to the popularity of the ‘digital detox’, the trend for taking yourself offline for a few hours or days to focus on the here and the now, and not be so bound to your phone. Digital detox retreats are now hugely popular in the wellness world. Think of cosying up in a cabin somewhere remote, your phone locked away in a box, and only a book and a roaring fire to keep you company. It all sounds dreamy, but do digital detoxes actually work? Does the extreme approach of abstinence have an impact on how we use our phone longer-term for better or worse? And given not everyone can access these idyllic settings, is it even possible to renegotiate our relationship with the tech that’s so intrinsically linked with our everyday lives?
Tech tribes
‘The pandemic showed us the importance of online platforms to stay connected,’ says psychologist Audrey Tang. ‘WhatsApp groups with family and friends are a powerful way of keeping in touch with the people who are important to us. Phones keep our brains active, help us keep on top of developments, and support practical things too, such as reminding us to take medication.’ The challenge, Audrey says, is to be selective about what you consume. ‘Use the tool, but don’t let it control you. We need to actively teach ourselves to be more discerning with our online choices.’
A (pre-pandemic) 2020 Harvard study found that while daily social media use can be positive for mental health and wellbeing, ‘by compensating for diminishing face-to-face social interactions in people’s lives
