dig·it·al de·tox

noun informal

noun: digital detox; plural noun: digital detoxes

a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world.

"break free of your devices and go on a digital detox"

You read that right.  This term "digital detox" is so common that it’s in the dictionary.  On one hand, I’m glad that people are recognizing that we’re inundated with digital information at all times.  On the other hand, our need for a digital detox is a sad commentary on our culture.

When I first started researching this topic, I came across 8 “how to” articles on the first page of my Google search.  But perhaps more surprisingly, on that first page there were two businesses listed that specialize in digital detox retreats!  I was astonished!  Imagine an entire retreat weekend (or longer) filled with people who are willing to pay for activities that require one to not use any devices.

When I am at restaurants, coffee houses, or tea shops, I frequently see groups of people sitting together, talking together, yet on their phones at the same time.  We aren’t content to simply watch a movie, we’re surfing the web, texting, or tweeting at the same time.  Many of my patients receive multiple texts and phone calls during their appointments.  We are so connected at every moment of our day, that being disconnected is rather frightening for so many of us.

Yet, this very connectedness is a drain on our energy and ramps up our stress level.  Our stress hormones are constantly barraged with requiring a response to more information, more things on our “to do” list, more headlines, more worries, more, more, more.

And so, I’m kicking off a blog series about digital detox.  Have you ever done a digital detox?  What was your experience?  Was it difficult?  What did you miss?  What did you enjoy?