Addicted To Being Online? Two Ways To Stay Offline More Often

Internet addiction is real. Studies show that the chemicals released in our brain when we go online feed our inclination for instant gratification, and tell us that the experience is pleasurable — so we want it over and over again.

Don’t get me wrong; I love the Internet. It’s incredible, and it has opened up possibilities for information sharing and remote working that are utterly world-changing. But being online too much can mean that you miss out on what’s going on around you; and the constant overstimulation of your brain can cause stress and make it difficult to get good quality sleep.

Here are two habits that you can cultivate in your everyday life to help you step away from the screen, and step into the present moment.

1.     Leave the house without any devices

Whenever you can, go out without your phone, laptop or tablet. It sounds simple — but in reality, very few of us these days go anywhere without a device in our pocket or bag. We even take our smartphones with us when we walk the dog.

So any time you have the opportunity, leave your digitals at home. Going to meet a friend and not expecting any important calls or messages? Don’t take your phone. Going for a run? Make it a wild run and give yourself a chance not to be contacted.

Spending a little time every day without a device in hand to keep in touch with others is actually very healthy. It’s only in the last decade-and-a-bit that we’ve become so constantly connected. Remember the days when you only had a house phone, and no one could get in touch with you if you were out?

And these small periods of time without a device will help you to realise that nothing bad happens when you can’t be online for a while. You’ll be completely in the moment. And gradually, you might realise that you quite like being right here, right now.

2. Wait for ten minutes

Make a commitment to yourself to delay the instant part of instant connectivity. Every time you decide to go online — whether you’re reaching for social media, emails, or browsing the Internet— make a conscious decision to wait for ten minutes.

If after ten minutes have passed you still want to go online, then go ahead. But if the urge has faded and you’re happily doing something else, then leave the Internet for later.

The simple decision to wait for just ten minutes brings more mindfulness into your choices regarding online time. You’ll have to think about whether you really need — or even want — to tap into the virtual world. And by having to decide whether or not to go online, rather than just doing it without real awareness, you’ll find that more often than you’d think, you’re quite happy staying offline instead.

Your Challenge

Once a month go offline for 3 days or longer. I often to this for sometimes 2 - 3 weeks and I can't tell you how much clearer my mind is, how much more relaxed I am, and how much more present I am with the world and the people around me. Trust me, all those things you "never have time for" you will automatically have so much time in your schedule and feel super productive. When I do a social media detox the first thing I do is delete the apps off my phone and I under no circumstances go on the internet other than to check my emails once a day.

Why not give it a go and let me know how you feel. I would love to hear how much of a difference it makes in your life.

Love and Blessings

Julie x

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