These days, it’s common to spend most of your day online without meaning to. A quick break to reply to an email turns into an hour of watching pottery reels and sewing tutorials.
Just as we set boundaries in other aspects of our lives, we should also set boundaries with technology. In this post, let’s explore how you can establish healthy digital boundaries.
Why Are Digital Boundaries Important?
People hide behind their screens to be unkind and mean to each other on the internet. They forget the impact of words and how they affect those who hear or read them.
Digital boundaries refer to the limits we set around our online activities and interactions. It’s a way to create a space where it’s safe to express yourself and interact with others online.
5 Tips for Establishing Digital Boundaries
1. Set Limits on Your Screen Time
Being intentional about your screen time has many benefits. With screen time limits, you can engage in more physical activities, boost productivity, and improve your sleep hygiene.
The primary goal of screen time limits is to manage and balance screen usage. Use built-in phone tools like Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Digital Wellbeing to help you.
Also, consider allocating parts of your day to specific activities. This way, you can scroll for thirty minutes after dinner or bake cookies right before lunch. The key is to be diligent about the time you spend doing the things you do.
2. Create Clear Work-Life Tech Boundaries
It is easy for work to spill into your personal life when you have no digital boundaries. By setting clear distinctions between life at home and work, you reduce the risk of burnout.
On weekdays, I’m not available for work calls after 7pm, and weekends are mine. If you’re a workaholic like most of my friends, creating a shutdown ritual after work might work for you.
Set aside a few minutes at the end of your workday to review tasks, plan for the next day, tidy your workspace, and shut down your laptop. With time, this signifies that you’re done for the day and you can unwind.
3. Assign Tech-Free Zones in Your Space
The idea of tech-free zones came to me after I read Atomic Habits by James Clear. He suggested creating zones for specific tasks to reinforce productive routines.
You could dedicate a corner of your living room to reading books or listening to music as a way to unwind. Make it cosy with warm lighting, books or music posters to remind you of what the space is for.
4. Be Conscious of What You Consume
Do you ever feel like you’re losing control of your digital life? When it seems as though technology is taking over, and you can’t do anything about it? Beyond setting physical tech-free zones, it’s important to set emotional ones as well.
One of the ways you can improve your mental well-being is to be mindful of your digital habits. The truth is that there is online content that can be detrimental to your health if consumed in excess.
This week, unfollow negative accounts and reduce the conspiracy theory content you watch. Substitute these with educational podcasts and articles or audiobooks.
5. Prioritise Offline Hobbies and Rest
Engaging in offline hobbies can help you escape the internet and digital living. Hobbies provide an outlet for creativity, relaxation and personal expression.
Having a hobby improves your mental health and reduces stress levels. You could go hiking, tend your garden or dive into a book to unwind. Life is moving fast for most of us, so having time offline helps us rest and slow down.
When you carve out time for your hobbies, you show that rest and recreation are essential to your routine.
Conclusion
Don’t expect your screen time to magically reduce to 2 hours per week. Establishing and honouring boundaries takes time. Introduce activities into your routine that don’t need you to sit in front of a screen, and enjoy them.
Setting digital boundaries is not aimed at getting rid of technology. These devices exist to make life and work easier, so it’s up to you to find the balance. Which of these tips will you be trying out first?
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