After the rapid technological progress kicked in, it seems like all sorts of gadgets became a real panacea for all situations. Technology helps us simplify our lives and tackle different tasks faster.
Needless to say, progress changed all spheres of our lives. Among all, the educational sector and students, in particular, received plenty of tools to take learning experiences to the next level while also making studying easy.
Modern students have everything they need to succeed. From online classrooms to ensure learning continuity to “write my paper for me” services that let students save plenty of time and boost grades – these technologies make young people’s lives notably better. But don’t they become too reliant on these tools?
According to recent stats, people today spend an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes only on their phones. This affects both our social lives and health, especially while in college. Therefore, a regular smartphone detox might be the key to your well-being, and here’s why.
What Is Smartphone Detox?
Before we get to the positive effects, let’s get clear on the definition. In a nutshell, a smartphone detox means just that – detoxifying you from your smartphone. This practice implies refraining from using your gadget for a certain amount of time. Most often, the goal is to get rest, focus on other important things, decrease time spent on digital devices, and receive certain health benefits.
In many cases, people choose to have a full-fledged digital detox instead of a smartphone one. This implies refusing not only from your phone but also from tablets, computers, and social media. This practice can be even more beneficial.
For students, it can be hard to refrain from all kinds of technology. After all, it’s often used for completing homework assignments. But if you can enlist the help of the top paper writing services to ensure that your tasks are getting done by professionals, you might be able to pull it through. If not, a basic smartphone detox can also do wonders.
7 Reasons to Start a Detox
Okay, technology is deeply rooted in our lives. That’s true for most of us. But how do you know when exactly it’s time to refrain from it?
Here are a few reasons that serve as red flags:
1 – Your smartphone became the first thing you reach out to in the mornings or in your free time.
2 – Your daily screen time keeps increasing, crossing the point of 4 hours a day.
3- You have trouble falling asleep and waking up.
4 – You lack time for yourself.
5 – You want to reconnect with the outer world and discover new hobbies.
6 – You feel like your attention span is decreasing.
7 – You want to boost your physical and mental health.
The Benefits Students Get From Smartphone Detox
Now that you know about some red flags that mean that you should start a detox, let’s move to the most exciting part.
So what are the benefits that you get from this practice?
1 – Reduced Stress
Students’ lives are quite stressful. Lectures, homework, exams, deadlines, and other traditional attributes of a college can make you feel rather overwhelmed. Now, guess what? Experts have proven that excessive exposure to technology causes additional anxiety and stress, which affect your mental wellness. So the first benefit of refraining from it is stress reduction.
2 – Brain Recharge
Staying away from your smartphone for some time is a great way to unwind and slow down. Without additional distractions, your brain will reboot and recharge. As a result, you will feel more rested and alert.
3 – Better Productivity and Creativity
According to a Harvard Business School study, digital multi-tasking (which is something each of us does) decreases our productivity and creativity. When taking a break from technology and reducing stress, your concentration will increase, giving you more space for creativity and productivity. As a result, you can achieve greater results in college and other spheres of your life.
4 – Improved Sleep
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 60% of college students suffer from poor sleep quality. Apart from pulling all-nighters to study, young people often tend to spend hours in the evening staring at their gadgets’ screens. By giving yourself time to stay away from a smartphone, you can significantly improve your sleep quality and get more rest at night.
5 – Mental Clarity
Specialists claim that a digital detox is a great way to refocus. Without daily notifications and pings, you will be able to gain more mental clarity and focus. Needless to say, this will positively affect your overall mental health.
6 – More Free Time
How many times have you said that you “don’t have time” for self-care, sports, and other things? We bet that a lot. The thing is that we spend way too much time online. Respectively, there is barely any time left for doing offline stuff. If you refrain from your gadgets for just a few days, you will notice how much free time you will get for other things that matter. So this is one more benefit.
7 – Deeper Life Satisfaction
Giving you more free time and providing other physical and mental health benefits, a smartphone detox can actually make you more satisfied with your life. When spending too much time online, we often forget to socialize properly in the real world. Moreover, a study by Nottingham Trent University found that one-third of the messages we get online worsen our mood. Get rid of this factor, and you will feel happier.
Bottom Line
In today’s highly digital world, the idea of getting a detox from gadgets can sound somewhat scary. Many of us feel like our whole life is centered inside this small device in our pocket. But the truth is that real life is waiting for us beyond the screen.
After reading this article, you should have no doubts left concerning the benefits of a smartphone detox. Indeed, this simple practice can significantly improve students’ well-being. So if you feel tired, stressed, or unhappy, be sure to give it a try, and you will not regret it!